From The Pagosa Springs Sun: In an unprecedented action on Tuesday night, the Pagosa Fire Protection District’s (PFPD) board of directors voted to release the recording of a questionable executive session held on April 12.

While it is perfectly legal for a board to hold executive sessions, those sessions have legal limits. Many argue that, in most cases, executive sessions are unnecessary.

SUN staff recognized something questionable played out following the PFPD’s executive session during board remarks.

Elected officials cannot lay the groundwork for policy, positions and regulations out of public view. It is legislative policy that formation of public policy is public business and may not be conducted in secret.

Why should we care about meetings being open to the public?

First and foremost, because it is the law.

Does following the law matter?

If our elected officials can choose when they want to obey the law, can we as private citizens do the same thing?

If you let a board get away with doing something illegal, where do you draw the line?

Private communication concerning policy, decisions and informal discussions held behind closed doors lead to doubt and distrust.

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