POSTPONED: Due to illness, the Freeman presentation has been postponed; we will announce the rescheduled date when available.
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The Madison County Courier in conjunction with PAC99 will host Robert Freeman, director of the state Committee on Open Government, from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, April 12, 2018, at the Canastota VFW, 3835 Canal Road, Canastota.
Freeman is the foremost authority on New York’s Freedom of Information and Open Meetings laws.
“With the significant number of newly elected officials and political appointees, we thought it was time Mr. Freeman visit us here in Madison County again,” said Publisher Martha E. Conway. “Bob’s presentations are always entertaining and enlightening, making it a fun way to assimilate what could otherwise be very dry material.”
See an example here, from 2010 in the town of Sullivan: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PTWwCnWp3yg&authuser=0
Conway said Freeman’s presentations typically begin with a brief overview, but are otherwise audience-driven through attendees’ specific questions, making no two events the same. She said the presentations are appropriate for a number of people.
“Open Meetings Law and Freedom of Information Law apply to a variety of groups,” Conway said. “Town and city councils, village boards of trustees, school boards, planning boards, zoning boards of appeals and certain libraries must comply with these laws, and their clerks, who frequently serve as FOIL officers, all can benefit. In addition, advocacy and activist groups and non-profits would benefit from knowing their rights under the law.”
For more information on the Committee on Open Government, visit https://www.dos.ny.gov/coog/.
RSVPs and questions may be directed to madnews@m3pmedia.com.