This week we are running a Letter to the Editor dealing with a very important issue, especially when it concerns the public and the media: The Open Meetings Act of 1976.

Susan A. Arnold of Goodrich says in her letter that she feels the act is being violated by the Atlas Township Planning Commission. Arnold writes that she was denied information about scheduled meetings and that the commission regularly holds “secret” subcommittee meetings without notifying the public within the required 10 days. She wrote that “these violations must cease.”

Wanting to hear both sides of the story, I placed a call to Atlas Township Clerk Tere Onica, asking for her clarification on the letter. Onica said that to her knowledge, “There have been no secret meetings or violations” of The Open Meetings Act. Instead, Onica explained that occasionally, one or two of the planning commission members will meet to discuss recent “research” but these meetings “do not require (that they follow) The Open Meetings Act” because these are not official meetings. “They are allowed to discuss the meeting, but they do not actually hold a meeting,” she said.

Sorry, but I have to side with Susan Arnold on this one. If a municipality wants to do the will of the people, then informing its citizens of issues is essential, especially when it concerns a hot topic such as a master plan. The very essence of The Open Meetings Act states that the citizens have the right to know what their government is doing by allowing the public to see and hear the decisions that the elected and non-elected officials are making on the citizens’ behalf.

Now I’m not saying that the Atlas Township Planning Commission is not being above board on their doings. I’m simply saying that a municipality and its committees/commissions must be cognizant that they were elected to carry out the wishes of the citizens. Not allowing citizen input in the functions of its government is the antithesis of what government should truly be. In this case, a round of applause is due for this community watchdog who is looking out for her fellow citizens.

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