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By Patrick George
American-Statesman Staff
Published Monday, Sept. 27, 2010
Read the whole story and add your comments at this link: http://www.statesman.com/news/local/pedernales-co-op-may-open-meeting-after-criticism-941191.html
A newly elected member of the Pedernales Electric Cooperative board has sharply criticized the board's move to close an upcoming strategic planning meeting to the public.
Fischer and Landaker/Statesman
In response, co-op board President Larry Landaker (of Wimberley) said Monday that he is willing to compromise with concerns raised by director Ross Fischer and allow at least part of that special meeting to be public.At Landaker's initiative last week, the board voted 4-3 to meet behind closed doors Oct. 13 to develop a strategic plan to guide the co-op's future.
Items for discussion could include personnel, real estate, legal and competitive matters — the types of subjects usually discussed in closed session under the co-op's policies.
Board members would not receive compensation for the special meeting.
Landaker said the board needed to have "candid discussions" without causing "angst and consternation" among co-op employees and members.
But Fischer, the former head of the Texas Ethics Commission who was elected to the board in June, said candid discussions could take place in public. He contended that co-op policy does not allow "big picture" issues to be taken up in closed session.
2 comments:
Wow! Finally someone is trying to open the doors. I do not know much about Mr Fischer but it is so good to hear that someone is trying to allow the members to at least see what is going on. I just hope this is not a feel good effort that will still result in all matters being agreed to behind closed doors.
If you read between the lines of Landaker's statement, you can pretty much tell that the Board wants to discuss cost cutting measures in private. The employees, especially the many overly paid ones retained by Juan Garza, are hell bent on saving their cushy jobs, hence the Board's desire to discuss this in closed session. Fischer's just too new (or dense maybe) to understand this and making a big deal out of nothing.
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