An Editorial I think that the fourth of July is the perfect time to contemplate the joyfulness of living in a city where we have complete access to the inner workings of our local government. Few people across the globe can pry into the actions of their government like we can. It is one of the rights recognized by the Florida State Constitution under Article I, Declaration of Rights. Section 24 of Article I, Access to public records and meetings, states that:
"Every person has the right to inspect or copy any public record made or received in connection with the official business of any public body, officer, or employee of the state, or persons acting on their behalf, except with respect to records exempted pursuant to this section or specifically made confidential by this Constitution. This section specifically includes the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government and each agency or department created thereunder; counties, municipalities, and districts; and each constitutional officer, board, and commission, or entity created pursuant to law or this Constitution." The Florida Constitution further states that "All meetings of any collegial public body of the executive branch of state government or of any collegial public body of a county, municipality, school district, or special district, at which official acts are to be taken or at which public business of such body is to be transacted or discussed, shall be open and noticed to the public and meetings of the legislature shall be open and noticed as provided in Article III, Section 4(e), except with respect to meetings exempted pursuant to this section or specifically closed by this Constitution." None of this has any value unless we take the time to attend these meetings and express our opinions. While Cedar Key enjoys a municipal government that is very responsive to the comments of citizens, very few of us take the time to attend the city commission meetings. Waiting for an election to make your voice heard is not enough. Take an evening stroll downtown each 2nd and 4th Tuesday to attend the Cedar Key City Commission meetings at 7:00 P.M. And register to vote at the Levy County Voter registration in Bronson or at selected locations during the year. It's your city and its time to participate! |
