This is a particularly good article about the importance of civic engagement in preserving our statutory right to know. The "Jefferson County" referred to is not Jefferson County, Kentucky, but Jefferson County, West Virginia. All 120 counties in the commonwealth should take a lesson from our neighbor to the east.

"The Open Meetings Act is an essential law for helping keep our government bodies in check. This law basically requires boards — including city councils, county commissions and boards of education — to perform the business of governing in the open.

Public bodies are prohibited — outside of very specific exceptions — from taking action or having discussion behind closed doors.

And so it should be — lest these governing bodies forget who it really is they are working for: the people."

The Kentucky Open Government Coalition will focus on expanding understanding of the open meetings and open records law and ascertaining the level of compliance with the laws across the state. We appreciate your support and engagement.