Board: Open Meetings Violation In Frederick County

FREDERICK, Md. (AP) -- An advisory opinion says three Frederick County commissioners violated the state's Open Meetings Act by appearing on a radio program without providing public notice of the show.

The Frederick News-Post reports that the state's Open Meetings Compliance Board issued an opinion Friday. The board cannot issue penalties so the finding is considered advisory.

The three commissioners -- Paul Smith, Billy Shreve and Kirby Delauter -- participated June 15 on a WFMD program that discussed the sale of two county-owned facilities. A former county planning commission member complained the radio appearance violated the Open Meetings Act.

The opinion says although the commissioners didn't intend to "conceal their discussion," the public was entitled to advance notice that legislative business would be discussed.

The three commissioners said they disagreed with the finding.

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