Open Meeting/Open Records 2007 Workshops

September 24, 2007

Attorney General Holding Open Meetings/Records Seminars Across State

Attorney General Drew Edmondson, the Oklahoma Press Association, Oklahoma Newspaper Foundation and FOI Oklahoma are currently holding seminars on the Oklahoma Open Meetings and Open Records Acts in locations across the state.

The seminars are designed to answer questions concerning the state’s open meeting and records laws and inform elected or appointed officials about their responsibility under the acts. Edmondson will also discuss requirements on access to public records and the conduct of public meetings.

“We have found in the past that government and school officials want to comply with the law, but there is some uncertainty about how to do that,” Edmondson said. “These seminars provide a thorough review of the law and allow participants to ask questions about its practical application.”

Assistant Attorney General Gay Tudor, one of the state’s foremost authorities on the openness laws, will assist Edmondson in presenting the seminars and answering questions.
The seminars are free of charge and open to the public. No reservations are required.

Each session will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. at the following locations:

Oct. 9, Pioneer Technology Center, Ponca City
Oct. 25, Miami Civic Center, Miami
Oct. 30, Frisco Conference Center, Clinton
Nov. 6, Pontotoc Technology Center, Ada
Nov. 13, Metro Tech, Oklahoma City
Dec. 6, Southeast Expo Center, McAlester

This is the fifth time Edmondson’s office has traveled the state in an effort to educate Oklahomans about openness laws. Previous seminars were held in 1998, 2001, 2003 and 2005.

The Open Meetings and Open Records Acts are designed to bring government closer to people and to allow the actions of public bodies maximum access and input from their constituents.

“Government operates best when it is done in the full purview of the people it represents,” Edmondson said. “We are pleased to again work with the Oklahoma Press Association, the Oklahoma Newspaper Foundation and FOI Oklahoma. to promote government the way we think it should be – open and accountable.”