Bob Freeman (Source: NYS DOS)
The Chatham Courier has an eye-opening account of a recent trip to New Lebanon by Robert Freeman, head of the New York State Committee on Open Government. As he has all over the State, Freeman was invited to give a run-down on how New York’s laws are intended to guarantee open meetings and freedom of access to public documents via FOIL.
Missing from the well-attended meeting? Town Supervisor Michael Benson, who similarly missed some 70% of his County Airport Committee meetings.
One infers from the account by reporter Katie Kocijanski that there have been many complaints in New Leb about Benson’s willingness to comply with the spirit, if not the letter, of these long-standing laws.
