Monday, June 06, 2005
Blinded by the light
A rare opportunity exists for county politicos to score some points at Slats' expense, so, as is usually the case, Slats is going to get out in front of this one and share the details with you.
As we told you several days ago, there has been a great deal of question and confusion surrounding the newly-formed Joint Advisory committee in Seminole County that is supposed to explore consolidation of services between cities and the county. The committee is also known as the Henley committee, since it was formed under the auspices of County Commission Chairman Carlton Henley.
Henley has cobbled together a coalition of 23 members, drawn largely from the city commissions of Seminole County's seven municipalities, including two city commissioners from each, as well as two county commissioners. The remainder of the committee is rounded out largely by representatives of the business community.
As we have already detailed, the question comes down to whether Florida's Sunshine laws apply to the proceedings of the Henley committee. Sunshine laws are intended to protect the public's right to know about the activities of their elected officials and to keep elected officials from conducting their government business in private. In short, they must operate "in the sunshine."
Chairman Henley contends that because it is an advisory committee, it does not fall under the purview of the Sunshine laws. Slats says that is not so, and that Commissioner Henley is 100 percent incorrect. The Sunshine laws most definitely do apply to the Henley committee.
Word is that Longwood City Attorney Richard Taylor will be requesting an opinion from State Attorney General Charlie Crist on the matter. Remember that Slats told it to you first: Crist will come back with a statement saying the Sunshine laws most definitely do apply to Henley's committee.
At that time, the Chairman will be invited to eat my hat . . . publicly, of course, and in the sunshine.
As we told you several days ago, there has been a great deal of question and confusion surrounding the newly-formed Joint Advisory committee in Seminole County that is supposed to explore consolidation of services between cities and the county. The committee is also known as the Henley committee, since it was formed under the auspices of County Commission Chairman Carlton Henley.
Henley has cobbled together a coalition of 23 members, drawn largely from the city commissions of Seminole County's seven municipalities, including two city commissioners from each, as well as two county commissioners. The remainder of the committee is rounded out largely by representatives of the business community.
As we have already detailed, the question comes down to whether Florida's Sunshine laws apply to the proceedings of the Henley committee. Sunshine laws are intended to protect the public's right to know about the activities of their elected officials and to keep elected officials from conducting their government business in private. In short, they must operate "in the sunshine."
Chairman Henley contends that because it is an advisory committee, it does not fall under the purview of the Sunshine laws. Slats says that is not so, and that Commissioner Henley is 100 percent incorrect. The Sunshine laws most definitely do apply to the Henley committee.
Word is that Longwood City Attorney Richard Taylor will be requesting an opinion from State Attorney General Charlie Crist on the matter. Remember that Slats told it to you first: Crist will come back with a statement saying the Sunshine laws most definitely do apply to Henley's committee.
At that time, the Chairman will be invited to eat my hat . . . publicly, of course, and in the sunshine.
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