07-30-2007, 06:05 PM
07-30-2007, 08:11 PM
Guess it depends on if actalker is drinkin tonight.
07-30-2007, 10:38 PM
Netmom Wrote:
I wrote about this earlier, but would welcome input from all corners. Especially this one.
There's a story in today's paper suggesting that a Chamber of Commerce meeting, where tax policy was discussed, should have been subject to the open meetings law.
Since the Chamber of Commerce has no power to enact City policy, it seems silly to me that it was even written about to begin with.
There's a story in today's paper suggesting that a Chamber of Commerce meeting, where tax policy was discussed, should have been subject to the open meetings law.
Since the Chamber of Commerce has no power to enact City policy, it seems silly to me that it was even written about to begin with.
While the chamber is not subject to the Sunshine law protocol, they are a tax payer funded entity, and are therefore associated by proxy. Since they are discussing who will get the tax breaks, many people in our lovely community feel they are entitled to know what the real policy is. For example: small business A that serves really good coffee cannot figure out how business B, who also serves really good coffee, was given tax breaks and incentives, to come to our town, and compete against them.
07-30-2007, 11:32 PM
Emile Autouri Wrote:
While the chamber is not subject to the Sunshine law protocol,
OR
Emile Autouri Wrote:
they are a tax payer funded entity, and are therefore associated by proxy.
So which is it, Ceteris Paribus?
07-31-2007, 07:48 AM
The City has a performance-based contract with the Chamber, but I think that's segregated to the department known as the "Oak Ridge Economic Partnership." The Chamber itself is sustained through membership dues.
However, whether the Chamber receives City funding is irrelevant. The key deciding factor is that the Chamber of Commerce does not have the ability to legislate for the City of Oak Ridge. They can make recommendations to City Council (such recommendations are public, BTW), but only Council can pass such legislation -- and they must do it in a public meeting.
It's a good law, but carrying it overboard to the point of silliness does more harm than good.
However, whether the Chamber receives City funding is irrelevant. The key deciding factor is that the Chamber of Commerce does not have the ability to legislate for the City of Oak Ridge. They can make recommendations to City Council (such recommendations are public, BTW), but only Council can pass such legislation -- and they must do it in a public meeting.
It's a good law, but carrying it overboard to the point of silliness does more harm than good.
07-31-2007, 08:27 AM
This was not a violation of the Open Meetings Law. What it was was stepping on the toes of a newspaper or media outlet and their itsy-bitsy feelings were hurt because they didn't have a date to the prom.
07-31-2007, 08:39 AM
Netmom Wrote:
The City has a performance-based contract with the Chamber, but I think that's segregated to the department known as the "Oak Ridge Economic Partnership." The Chamber itself is sustained through membership dues.
However, whether the Chamber receives City funding is irrelevant. The key deciding factor is that the Chamber of Commerce does not have the ability to legislate for the City of Oak Ridge. They can make recommendations to City Council (such recommendations are public, BTW), but only Council can pass such legislation -- and they must do it in a public meeting.
It's a good law, but carrying it overboard to the point of silliness does more harm than good.
However, whether the Chamber receives City funding is irrelevant. The key deciding factor is that the Chamber of Commerce does not have the ability to legislate for the City of Oak Ridge. They can make recommendations to City Council (such recommendations are public, BTW), but only Council can pass such legislation -- and they must do it in a public meeting.
It's a good law, but carrying it overboard to the point of silliness does more harm than good.
if the chamber is out and about brokering deals for companies to come to Oak Ridge, and tax breaks are part of the deal, and our tax dollars are being offered..,....
07-31-2007, 08:46 AM
Now if you want to see some violations of the Sunshine Law, come on over to my home county - Knox. Whooeee! Those guys are absolutely unbelievable. Anytime you start to feel like the cronyism is too blatant in OR, just pick up the Sentinel.
And then we have our County credit card scandal to go with it.
And then we have our County credit card scandal to go with it.
07-31-2007, 09:10 AM
The Chamber most certainly can not offer tax breaks as part of their enticement for companies to come to Oak Ridge. Come on Emile, you just made that up so you could have, what would appear to be, one valid point in this discussion.
The notion that this meeting at the chamber of commerce is subject to the sunshine law is laughable.
The notion that this meeting at the chamber of commerce is subject to the sunshine law is laughable.
07-31-2007, 11:12 AM
Man, Beav, Knox Cty is all full of that craziness, which makes me love livin in the 'ridge...