June 12, 2007
Members of the
Fulton County Commission
c/o Chairman John H. Eaves
Fulton County
Government Center
141 Pryor Street,
S.W.
Atlanta, Georgia
30303
Dear Commissioners:
I am writing on
behalf of the Georgia First Amendment Foundation. We are an organization that seeks to advance
the cause of open government and monitors freedom of information issues
throughout this state.
It has been brought to our attention that the Fulton County Commission appears to have improperly conducted its supposed public meeting that took place on Thursday, March 29, 2007. Among other matters, the Commission appears to have diverged from the voting, minutes, and record keeping requirements of the Open Meeting Act. See O.C.G.A. § 50-14-1. We are concerned that these activities are contrary to public policy and urge you to review O.C.G.A. § 50-14-1 et seq. which sets forth the requirements for properly held public meetings.
I have enclosed a copy of Georgia’s Sunshine Laws: A Citizen’s Guide to Open Government, 3rd edition, which discusses the both the Open Meetings Act and the Open Records Act, as well as other open government issues pertinent to your work. Similarly, this foundation would be pleased to visit with you and conduct a workshop on the mechanics of both the Open Meetings and Open Records laws.
We would appreciate an explanation as to why the county commission’s practices appear to contravene the public interest. I look forward to hearing from you at your earliest convenience. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Hollie Manheimer
Executive Director
Enclosures
Cc: Common Cause Georgia
GFAF
Board