THE SUNSHINE ACT MANDATES THAT AGENCIES ARE REQUIRED TO CONDUCT THEIR DELIBERATIONS IN PUBLIC

The public’s right to attend governmental agency meetings in Pennsylvania is based upon a state law called the “Sunshine Act.” The Sunshine Act applies to public agencies, which include Pennsylvania executive branch agencies, the General Assembly, and municipal authorities, such as township boards of supervisors and local school boards. The Act also covers any organization created by statute that declares in substance that it performs an essential governmental function, exercises governmental authority and takes official action.

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The Pennsylvania Sunshine Act shouldn't be used as a weapon to shut down discussion [editorial]

As Melissa Melewsky, media law counsel for the Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association, pointed out, however, the Pennsylvania Sunshine Act prohibits public officials from deliberating with each other on actions that are not on a meeting agenda, but it doesn't prevent individual elected officials from addressing a question from the public or members of the press.

"What they shouldn't be doing is using the Sunshine Act for obscuring or creating barriers to access," Melewsky said.

We are strongly in favor of local elected officials paying close attention to the letter — and spirit — of the Sunshine Act. But, as Melewsky suggested, it shouldn't be wielded as a weapon to shut down public comments.

The Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association website offers an excellent primer on the law.

Everyone — the county commissioners included — should read it.

MORE:

https://lancasteronline.com/opinion/editorials/the-pennsylvania-sunshine-act-shouldnt-be-used-as-a-weapon-to-shut-down-discussion-editorial/article_61dca73e-233d-11ed-b77f-0722b614b32f.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=email&utm_campaign=user-share 

Steve Courtney appearing at Locust Street Park Gazebo - Wednesday, August 24, 7 pm

 

"Ghosts of the River Towns" Wednesday, August 24, at St. Peter's Apartments

 

Repair work on Malleable Road bridge to begin Monday

Nighttime repair work on a bridge spanning West Hempfield Township and Columbia will begin Monday, according to the state Department of Transportation.

York County-based Kingsley Construction will perform minor structural repairs before painting the bridge on Malleable Road, PennDOT said in a press release.

The $263,678 project will require short-term lane closures and nightly detours.

A detour using Prospect Road, Route 462 and Cool Springs Road will be in place from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. Monday through Sept. 1, and again from Sept. 6 to 9, according to PennDOT. All other work will be performed using short-term lane closures on Route 30 and Malleable Road.

The project is scheduled to be completed by Oct. 6.

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Tuesday at the Library

 

Deeds Recorded - Columbia Borough - August 22, 2022

Thomas L. Wickenheiser and Catherine E. Wickenheiser conveyed property on a public road to Rosalin Ortiz and Hecxiel Oscar Gonzalez Rivera for $195,000.

Kathy C. Shaeffer conveyed 40 S. Ninth St. to Heather Marie Manley for $130,000.

The estate of Shirley L. Riggleman conveyed 206 S. Second St. to Riverwalk Property Solutions LLC for $70,000.

Leonard P. Garner Sr. conveyed 29 N. Seventh St. to Matthew F. Demascola for $185,000.

Edward E. Schopf and C. Annette Schopf conveyed property on Fourth Street to Columbia Vision LLC for $250,000.

Darren L. Eckman, Rebecca E. Draper and Rebecca E. Eckman conveyed 43 S. Eighth St. to Darren L. Eckman for $1.

Maha Albozaine and Saja Al Khazaali conveyed 1008 Cloverton Drive to Nydia S. Alonso and Lunelys Collazo for $189,900.

The estate of Richard G. Bransby Sr, Eric M. Bransby and Richard G. Bransby conveyed 1134 Manor St. to Richard G. Bransby Jr, Eric M. Bransby, Kristina M. Wall and Stephanie A. Zeamer for $0.

Franklin A. Fisher conveyed 252 N. Third St. to Franklin A. Fisher and Paula L. Fisher for $1.

Honest Home Solutions LLC and Erik Latsha conveyed 322 S. Second St. to Delgiorno Investments LLC for $117,500.