KORA/KOMA seminar brings all sides together
By Corey Jones, corey.jones@cjonline.com
A seminar blending government officials, journalists and private citizens on Wednesday afternoon focused on the high points and intricacies of open records and open meetings laws in Kansas.
Topics broached by a panel of experts or audience questions covered technical violations of the Kansas Open Meetings Act to rights and limitations of requestors and custodians of records under the Kansas Open Records Act.
Doug Anstaett, executive director of the Kansas Press Association and panel contributor, said he hopes people understand that open government is the law of Kansas — and with good reason.
“The best decisions are made when the electorate understands the issues, and when those issues are discussed and voted on in public,” Anstaett said.
About 75 people gathered for three hours or so in the second-floor auditorium of the Memorial Building, 120 S.W. 10th Ave.
Anstaett offered a valuable tip-off to when something may be amiss during a meeting of a governmental body.
“If you go to a meeting and a subject comes up that’s somewhat controversial and there’s no discussion and there’s a vote — somebody’s been talking behind closed doors,” he said. “And that’s illegal.”
Several governmental figures in attendance noted the seminar was a good means through which they could gain refreshers or pick up new and helpful tips regarding the topics.
Anstaett thinks the majority of public officials want to do what is correct but may not know what that is. He said those in attendance at these annual meetings are the people who generally want to and do follow the law and try to ensure they continue doing so.
“Some people who don’t always follow the law don’t come to these meetings,” he said. “They don’t want to be told what they are doing is wrong.”
The free seminar Wednesday was the third of five to be hosted throughout Kansas. The remaining two are:
■ from 1 to 4 p.m. Thursday in Pittsburg.
■ from 9 a.m. to noon Friday in Paola.
Shawnee County Sheriff Herman Jones had a seat in the crowd, viewing it as an educational opportunity to ensure he stays up to date with current laws.
“A lot of things I may be familiar with, but I just want to refresh my knowledge,” he said.
Ruth Fechter, Butler County treasurer, said she was there to understand the concept of open records and open meetings and what her responsibility as an elected official.
Nathan Ensz, senior IT auditor for the Legislative Post Audit, said he particularly was interested in the open records portion of the event given what his job entails, adding that it is critical to abide by those laws.
“(The panelists) provide good reminders and information and everything,” Ensz said. “They keep it fresh.”
Other panel members were Todd Hiatt, a Shawnee County prosecutor and senior assistant district attorney; Michael Merriam, a lawyer specializing in the First Amendment; Tim Carpenter, Topeka Capital-Journal Statehouse reporter; and Jon Janes, WIBW-TV news director.
Hiatt said offering his expertise at the seminar is a way to help educate people to comply with the law so he doesn’t have to prosecute and force them to later.
“I’d much rather educate people than prosecute them,” he said.