This is nothing like “The Whole Truth” especially when it applies to the Pa. State Open Meeting Act (Sunshine Act). At the Lansford council meeting on March 8, Councilman Bill Chuma brought to my attention, and read to the public during the discussion of the illegal Zipper purchase, his interpretation of the following.

“Discussing agency business which, if conducted in public would violate a lawful privilege or lead to the disclosure of information or confidentiality protected by law.”

Chuma made his own assumptions about the meaning of this line and I have difficulty following those interpretations. Furthermore Council President Markovich said the borough’s position is there is a confidential exclusion under the Sunshine Act, in which “we are allowed to do the bid in executive session. Two attorneys told us that.”

The Times News contacted Melissa Melewsky, an attorney for the Pennsylvania News Media Association, who said that she respectfully disagrees with council’s position regarding the “confidential by law” exemption under the act.

I again insist that the closed (executive session) meeting on the mysterious date and attended by unknown council persons and employees was illegal and in fact if there occurred a vote at this unknown meeting the vote is illegal. In addition, if no vote occurred then the fact, as documented by the actual $60,576.75 bid that was signers by Markinovich on the (non-date) bid form and submitted to the CCCOG by Certified Mail in late January must have been accomplished with no vote. This I have a really hard time digesting. Was it Bruce’s decision as president or did council approve of the bid process without a vote?

Proof of The Whole Truth” can be found in Section 708 of the Sunshine Act, the same document that Chuma only partially read in order to circumvent council’s illegal action taken in the unknown date executive session and I quote:

“Can official action be taken at a closed meeting? NO. Official action cannot be taken during executive session or a closed meeting. All official actions must be taken during the public portion of a meeting.”

Bob Silver

Lansford