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Skype: Do elected officials need to be physically present for public meetings?; Way for officials to avoid the public in the future?
Topic Started: Jun 27 2011, 09:45 PM (645 Views)
professionalmom
Advanced Member
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http://www.hometownlife.com/article/20110626/NEWS24/106260429/Skype-Do-elected-officials-need-physically-present-public-meetings-?odyssey=mod|mostcom


Skype: Do elected officials need to be physically present for public meetings?

Can a member of a public body be considered present and participate in a public meeting without being physically present by using Skype video technology or it is a violation of the Open Meetings Act?

That's the question asked of the Michigan Attorney General's Office after a recent Wayne-Westland Board of Education meeting in which board trustee John Goci, who is out of the country, took part in the meeting connected via Skype.

“I'm not making it a huge deal but I initiated an inquiry of the Attorney General's Office. I wanted to consult someone with expertise,” said State Rep. Richard LeBlanc (D-Westland). “At that point, if there is case law I could ask for an opinion. I think you must have a physical body present to participate in the meeting under the Open Meetings Act.”

After the board meeting, LeBlanc said he received a complaint about the use of Skype at the board meeting and he shares the concern about the lack of openness and interaction when officials aren't physically present at public meetings.

“Some people say the television monitor is on - it's the same thing. I can't vote in Lansing with a laptop from across the street let alone if I'm absent,” said LeBlanc, a former Wayne-Westland Schools board member. “I think overwhelmingly people expect those who govern to be present to govern.”

Not available for comment, Goci had requested using Skype to participate in the June 13 meeting. Wayne-Westland Schools Superintendent Greg Baracy said the request had been cleared with the district's legal counsel and the Michigan Association of School Boards.

“They said it was perfectly acceptable. We were perfectly comfortable that we were working within the law,” said Baracy. “It's been done in other districts. It's the first time we've used Skype for a board meeting but we use it for meetings with districts we partner with and to meetings in China.”

Noting Skype is a different type of technology with two-way audio and video, Baracy agreed that public servants have an obligation to be physically present. “I don't think this will become a common practice,” he said.

Beside concerns about openness, LeBlanc said he could see other problems with officials not being physically present at public meetings.

“If it's allowed, it's such dangerous territory. What if someone doesn't want me to speak and keeps hanging up?” said LeBlanc. “I asked about this in front of my (Democratic) caucus and all of the members who approached me said it was illegal. There are not too many people who think it is legal, even less who think it's proper.”

Even if video conferencing is found to be legal, LeBlanc said he thought bodies should adopt policies against using the technology.
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DADDYOH10
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Veteran
WITH WHAT WE HAVE , IT'S LIKE THERE IS NO ONE THERE ANYWAY. LET'S GIVE THEM ALL A MORE "GOD-LIKE" APPEARANCE THAN THEY ALREADY HAVE, IT MIGHT IMPRESS THE "HUDDLING MASSES, YEARNING..." ;)
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