District Attorney Puts GIDA Board on Notice
Delaware County District Attorney Eddie Wyant has decided not to file charges against trustees on the Grove Industrial Development Authority (GIDA) at this time, but at the same time is encouraging them to "follow the law" and attend a free workshop on the Open Meeting Act and the Open Record Act presented by Drew Edmondson, Attorney General..
Wyant, in a letter to the "clerk" of GIDA dated Sept. 28, 2005, cited numerous violations committed by members of the GIDA board over the sale of the Civic Center and said "I cannot possibly overstate my frustration with this situation."
Wyant said his investigation revealed that the GIDA Board has, on at least six different occasions, gone into executive session to discuss the proposed sale of the Civic Center in violation of 25 O.S. 307(B)(3) and that minutes of those sessions have not always been made or kept, that individuals who may profit from the proposed transactions concerning real property have been allowed to be present or participate in these sessions; and that members of the Board have on more than one occasion circumvented the entire purpose of the Open Meeting and Open Records Acts by having 'back room' discussions outside of public meetings and making decisions that effect public interests and property."
"If sufficient evidence is developed that shows this has been happening or happens in the future, I will reopen this issue and will prosecute those responsible," Wyant said in his letter.
He said based on the precedent of opportunities that he has given to other Grove municipal officers to follow the law before prosecution, "I do not believe it would be fair to these Board members to just start off by filing charges against them."
"We would much rather help than prosecute!" he said.
Board members Dave Helms and Carolyn Nuckolls have already signed up for one of the upcoming Open Records Act seminars.
Wyant, in a letter to the "clerk" of GIDA dated Sept. 28, 2005, cited numerous violations committed by members of the GIDA board over the sale of the Civic Center and said "I cannot possibly overstate my frustration with this situation."
Wyant said his investigation revealed that the GIDA Board has, on at least six different occasions, gone into executive session to discuss the proposed sale of the Civic Center in violation of 25 O.S. 307(B)(3) and that minutes of those sessions have not always been made or kept, that individuals who may profit from the proposed transactions concerning real property have been allowed to be present or participate in these sessions; and that members of the Board have on more than one occasion circumvented the entire purpose of the Open Meeting and Open Records Acts by having 'back room' discussions outside of public meetings and making decisions that effect public interests and property."
"If sufficient evidence is developed that shows this has been happening or happens in the future, I will reopen this issue and will prosecute those responsible," Wyant said in his letter.
He said based on the precedent of opportunities that he has given to other Grove municipal officers to follow the law before prosecution, "I do not believe it would be fair to these Board members to just start off by filing charges against them."
"We would much rather help than prosecute!" he said.
Board members Dave Helms and Carolyn Nuckolls have already signed up for one of the upcoming Open Records Act seminars.
posted by Editor | 2:15 AM
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