JOINT FIRE DISTRICT Council tries to quash talk about open meetings law

Salem Council was told it's in for the fight of its life.
By D.A. WILKINSON
VINDICATOR SALEM BUREAU
SALEM -- City Council President David Ventresco tried unsuccessfully to limit discussion about whether the city has broken Ohio's law on public meetings.
A story in The Vindicator on Sunday quoted two experts on the Sunshine Law, Atty. David Marburger of Cleveland and Kent State University journalism professor and attorney Timothy D. Smith.
Council and Perry Township are creating a contract to form a joint fire district that would eliminate the city fire department to save money.
Public body
Marburger and Smith said that the city-township negotiating committee was a public body subject to state law that may not have been allowed to meet privately, and that council's decade-plus post-meeting dinners were official meetings.
During council's comment period, members Mary Lou Popa and Alma Apicella said they did not believe they had broken the law.
Ventresco said, "I do not think it should be discussed."
Someone in the audience shouted, "They think they're better than the people."
Earlier in the meeting, Ventresco tried to limit citizen Jim McCoy's comments on the issue.
McCoy shot back, "You can discuss it at the restaurant after the meeting."
Remains mum
Council has been mum on whether it will enact the pact before the Nov. 2 election. That would nullify two fire department initiatives on the ballot. If approved, they would require public votes on ending the department and creating the district.
The city has asked representatives of the fire department to meet next Wednesday but didn't state the reason for the meeting.
Michael Taylor, the district representative for the Ohio Association of Professional Fire Fighters, told council, "It's hard to say what is true because you haven't given us any information."
Taylor added, "It's a shame I have to remind you that you represent the public."
If council tries to eliminate the fire department, Taylor said, "You are in for the fight of your lives."
Stephanie Ritchie, the wife of a city firefighter, told council she thinks it makes little sense to have a large and expensive legal battle over the elimination of the fire department if the city's goal is to save money.
wilkinson@vindy.com