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Mark Bletz
Jersey Shore
I attended the monthly municipal meeting held by Pine Creek Township in Clinton county Pennsylvania. Upon arrival, I was informed that I would not be permitted to attend unless I signed in. This requirement immediately raised concerns for me, as it appeared to be a direct violation of Pennsylvania's Sunshine Act, which is designed to ensure open and transparent government meetings and protect the public's right to attend without unnecessary restrictions.
A police officer was present at the entrance, actively enforcing the sign-in policy. Despite being informed that mandating attendees to provide their names as a condition of entry may be in direct conflict with the Sunshine Law, the officer refused to reconsider or allow entry without compliance. This refusal effectively barred me from participating in a public meeting that I, as a citizen, have a legal right to attend without having to disclose my identity.
I believe this incident warrants further attention and clarification to ensure that public officials and law enforcement are not overstepping their authority and are fully aware of the legal obligations set forth by Pennsylvania's transparency laws.
As a Pennsylvania resident, I have the right to attend public meetings without being compelled to identify myself. Section 710.1 of the Sunshine Act explicitly protects the public's right to attend, observe, and record public meetings without restrictions that would act as a barrier to access.
The enforcement of this policy raises significant transparency concerns and sets a troubling precedent for public access to government proceedings.
Editor's note: Here is the complete text of the pertinent piece of the Sunshine Act as referenced in this letter:
"S710. Rules and regulations for conduct of meetings.
Nothing in this chapter shall prohibit the agency from adopting by official action the rules and regulations necessary for the conduct of its meetings and the maintenance of order.
The rules and regulations shall not be made to violate the intent of this chapter.
S710.1. Public participation.
(a) General rule--Except as provided in subsection (d), the board or council of a political subdivision or of an authority created by a political subdivision shall provide a reasonable opportunity at each advertised regular meeting and advertised special meeting for residents of the political subdivision or of the authority created by a political subdivision or for taxpayers of the political subdivision or of the authority created by a political subdivision or for both to comment on matters of concern, official action or deliberation which are or may be before the board or council prior to taking official action. The board or council has the option to accept all public comment at the beginning of the meeting. If the board or council determines that there is not sufficient time at a meeting for residents of the political subdivision or of the authority created by a political subdivision or for taxpayers of the political subdivision or of the authority created by a political subdivision or for both to comment, the board or council may defer the comment period to the next regular meeting or to a special meeting occurring in advance of the next regular meeting.
(b) Limitation on judicial relief.--If a board or council of a political subdivision or an authority created by a political subdivision has complied with the provisions of subsection (a), the judicial relief under section 713 (relating to business transacted at unauthorized meeting void) shall not be available on a specific action solely on the basis of lack of comment on that action.
(c) Objection.--Any person has the right to raise an objection at any time to a perceived violation of this chapter at any meeting of a board or council of a political subdivision or an authority created by a political subdivision.
(d) Exception.--The board or council of a political subdivision or of an authority created by a political subdivision which had, before January 1, 1993, established a practice or policy of holding special meetings solely for the purpose of public comment in advance of advertised regular meetings shall be exempt from the provisions of subsection (a)."