A grassroots group is speaking out against a ballot question that would allow Columbus City Council to meet in private. Issue Two would change the city's charter to allow for executive sessions under certain circumstances.
It's noon, and outside Columbus City Hall about 15 or 20 people are gathered in the shade. A man with long hair wearing aviator sunglasses holds a sign that reads "Don't Take Away My Sunshine." His sign refers to federal and state laws that require governmental bodies meet and vote in a public forum.
It's this law that spawned the creation of Keep Council Open the group that's opposed to Columbus City Council's proposition of adding executive session language to the city's charter. The activists say the issue has united democrats and republicans; whites, blacks and Hispanic and people of varying socio-economic standing.
James Moore chairs Keep Council Open.
"This executive sessions is an example of the system not working for the people, but instead working the people over. And this needs to stop," Moore said.
Willis Brown is president of the King Lincoln Bronzeville Neighborhood Association. Brown fears closed door sessions will only further what he said is limited public access of information coming from city leaders.
"We call this a democratic dictatorship. Because they're controlling what goes out and what comes in, and how to squeeze the citizen," Brown remarked.
The group also fears executive sessions will be another avenue for city council to spend freely and frivolously local tax dollars.
City council members were unavailable for comment. Lisa Griffin speaks for Columbus Citizens for Good Government - a campaign pushing for passage of Issue 2. Griffin called the opposition's claims "disingenuous."
"If Issue 2 passes, all votes of course will still be held in public. And this group of citizens knows that to be true. So when they make that kind of statement they're being disingenuous at best," Griffin said.
State law already provides language for instances when a public body can retire to executive session. Griffin said city council still will be transparent even in the event of closed meetings.
"Following the Ohio Revised Code with very specific, five or six instances, when they can go into executive session. And then of course they have to post that information and let the public know when in fact they are going into executive session," Griffin said.
Council members say executive sessions could be beneficial during legal settlements, personnel matters or for economic development projects.