Jacksonville, FL

Florida Times-Union investigative reporter Beth Kormanik studied 18 months of calendars, meeting notices and minutes issued by the Jacksonville City Council. Apparently council members gathered at a number of restaurants like Woody’s Bar.B.Q., and also at bars like The Twisted Martini. The public wasn’t invited to wine or dine at these events, and if official council business was discussed, a violation of the Sunshine Law may have occurred.

On Friday, popular Times-Union columnist Mark Woods penned humorous commentary about these off-site gatherings.

State Attorney Harry Shorstein has presented the Duval County grand jury with some information about potential infringement of the law by council members. Shorstein told the Times-Union it may take “about a month” for the jury panel to decide whether further action is warranted.

The paper says council President Michael Corrigan (shown in photo above) introduced an ordinance this week to ensure compliance with the law.

Florida has had a “Sunshine Law” in some form or another since 1909 with the passage of the Public Records Law. At the present time, the City Council Web site has an expansive collection of information available.

Hopefully, the Grand Jury will a close look at what Kormanik found. Rules for conducting the city’s business in an open and public manner are non-negotiable. (text by Kay B. Day; Corrigan photo from City of Jacksonville Web site)

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