Punishment for MDOT law violators weak
Take a rubber band and put it on your wrist. Now, pull back the band an inch or two – or three if you’re really brave – and let it go. Snap! That’s about how much pain Mississippi Department of Transportation officials will feel if the state Ethics Commission determines they violated the state’s open meetings law recently.
A preliminary report issued by the commission last week finds that Commissioners Wayne Brown and Bill Minor broke the law when they met at a restaurant with a Madison County supervisor and county engineer in August. During the dinner, the topic of an interchange in Madison County was discussed.
The meeting was clearly a public meeting under the state’s definition. Two of the three members of the Transportation Commission were meeting, which means there was a quorum. They discussed a topic involving the commission.
It’s not rocket science.
If they are found guilty, Minor and Brown can be fined $100. That’s it. And they can go merrily on their way and do it again. The only way they can really be punished is if the voters take an interest in their election in 2011 and vote them out of office.
Mississippi’s open meetings and open records laws need to be strengthened and our elected officials held accountable.
Hattiesburg American
10/7/9
