Closed Doors in Benton County

I know a thing or two about how our leaders prefer to do business behind closed doors. We dealt with that at the University of Arkansas when His Highness, Chancellor John A. White sought to reform the student government. Judge Xollie Duncan ultimately ruled in favor of the U of A, but criticized the approach taken by the university.

Much more alarming that university task forces meeting in private is the prospect of Benton County JPs meeting in private to discuss public business. From The Morning News comes word that Dave Bisbee, a current state senator seeking election as Benton County Judge, supports these private meetings between JPs.

Arkansas law is clear that public business must be conducted in public. Imagine that. Senator Bisbee first stated that he would encourage JPs to meet privately but after being asked for clarification (because of what the law says), he said that he did not want decisions being made in "back room[s]." Which is it, senator?

JP Marge Wolf (R-Rogers) made it clear that the media only gets in the way of our elected officials doing what we elected them to do. From the article:

The media can get in the way of committees' discussions and prevent justices of the peace from mentoring those newly elected, Wolf said.

God forbid the media report on the actions and discussions of our elected officials. We may have our problems down here in Washington County but our elected officials generally understand the law governing the conduct of public business. Take note, Benton County. Arkansans don't like business being conducted behind closed doors. That's why, according to one study, we have the 4th best government transparency laws in the nation.