DISTURBING LACK OF TRANSPARENCY AT THE LAKEWOOD BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS

If you walked into a room and everyone inside immediately locked their computers, you'd probably get somewhat suspicious, right?

If the room you entered was a public place, and the room was noisy just before you walked in, and then everyone quickly quieted down the moment you walked in, you'd probably wonder what they are trying to conceal from you, right?

The folks who we elect to our local governing bodies are supposed to work for us and represent us in the ways they use our tax dollars and make the big decisions that affect us.

And when they make those big decisions and spend our hard earned dollars, they really ought to be transparent with us.

Like not shutting their computers when we walk in, and not quieting down when we walk in.

Also, like answering our requests for public records.

And to permit us to properly observe and record their meetings - which are legally required to be open to the public.

The Senator Byron M. Baer Open Public Meetings Act (NJSA 10:4-7) goes so far as to "find and declare that the right of the public to be present at all meetings of public bodies, and to witness in full detail all phases of the deliberation, policy formulation, and decision making of public bodies, is vital to the enhancement and proper functioning of the democratic process; that secrecy in public affairs undermines the faith of the public in government and the public's effectiveness in fulfilling its role in a democratic society, and hereby declares it to be the public policy of this State to insure the right of its citizens to have adequate advance notice of and the right to attend all meetings of public bodies at which any business affecting the public is discussed or acted upon in any way..."

So, keeping those meetings open to the public and allowing us to observe what they are up to isn't simply "good politics." It's the legit law.

And quite an important law at that.

Unfortunately, at their recent meeting, the Lakewood Board of Fire Commissioners scored way too low for comfort on this matter.

A number of members of the public, including a number of news reporters, attended their meeting, which included on their agenda a massive collusion with Township officials to ensure that the Township is able to slip through an ordinance to permit construction of high rise buildings.

When one reporter placed an audio recording device on the table where the Board members sit, Board Attorney Ian Goldman Esq. immediately told him that he needed to move the recording device to the window. Mr. Goldman's excuse was that he wanted to be able to safely whisper to the Board members during the meeting without the recording device listening in.

Seriously?? Whispering at a public meeting?? Is this in line with the noble finding and declaration of the Open Public Meetings Act that "to witness in full detail all phases of the deliberation, policy formulation, and decision making of public bodies is vital to the enhancement and proper functioning of the democratic process; and that secrecy in public affairs undermines the faith of the public in government and the public's effectiveness in fulfilling its role in a democratic society."

Whispering during a public meeting is certainly not a laughing matter. Astute FAA News readers may recall that the Lakewood Zoning Board was sued in a case where a developer sought to overturn the Board's denial of his application because the Board members whispered to each other during the public hearing...

Either way, it was only following the arrival of a FAA News reporter and his insistence that the audio recording devices indeed be permitted to be placed on the table that Mr. Goldman finally consented.

Hm...

Not something that the "Senator Byron M. Baer Act" would be proud of.

The members of the public have the right to "be present... and to witness!"

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