To the Editor:

Not so long ago, (three months?) the editor of this paper ran an opinion piece stating his objection to violations of open meeting laws by the City of Stanley. I have stated my objections as well. The first meeting of 2021 it seems to have happened again. I had an inkling there was something up as the clerk had sent something out in error to subscribers.

Sure enough when I arrived at the fire station for the January 4th meeting prior to the 7pm common council meeting, the doors of the council chambers were closed and the “closed session” sign was hung. Approximately 10 mins. Later one of the council members came out, took the sign down and let people in the room. I took the time to ask Mr. Back of the Stanley Republican if he had had any notice of this meeting and he shook his head “no.” It was not up on the website to be found either.

Meanwhile, at the school, when I attempted to enter the School for the November 23rd School Board meeting, the doors were locked upon my arrival. Mr. Back was also reportedly locked out. He was standing outside the doors when I arrived and went around to the side of the building as I approached it.

I have tried to be patient as the Mayor was just elected in April, and the clerk is new. My patience it getting very thin. While Mr. Geist was just elected board president in April he has been on the School board for a bit. In addition, when I was let into the school by someone in the pool area, I walked right up to Mr. Geist and informed him the doors were locked. Nobody moved to check on it. Mr. Back arrived at the meeting several minutes after me, likely getting in the same was I did. There was an investigation and someone left their shift at the pool early and locked the doors.

Ok, let's take that at face value.. It could happen. That doesn't explain not checking on the doors after they were informed. The school has now placed signs on the front doors on board meeting nights asking people not to lock as there is a board meeting in progress. Good idea. In an email to me, Mr. Koenig stated that usually the pool closes at 7:30 and entrance to the meetings hasn't been an issue.

The way I see it, there is an issue. Meetings of the school board generally last well past 7:30pm. and the doors should be unlocked until the end of the meeting. If someone wants to come in to listen to agenda items further down the list, they should certainly be able to do so.

Unless action is actually taken in reporting these things to the Attorney General's office, it is my belief that these problems will continue. I know that's what I am doing from now on. I believe in fair chances but enough is enough.

Lori Klonowski Cooley Candidate for School Board