Candidates Speak Up on Closed Meetings

Candidates for Greenbelt City Council fielded questions on Thursday, Oct. 6, at Greenbriar Community Center in the first forum for the 2011 elections, sponsored by the Greenbelt East Advisory Coalition (GEAC). Along with sharing biographical information and their visions for the future, candidates also answered questions on issues including:

• Crime
• Budget cuts
• Closed meetings

In the order that the candidates answered

Position on Council Closing its Meeting on the Greenbelt Middle School

During the forum, candidates were asked about a hotly debated decision that Greenbelt City Council had to hold . By voting for an executive session, council closed the meeting to the public.

Rodney Roberts: He voted against closing the meeting. He said there was absolutely no reason to close that meeting.

Edward Putens: He supported closing the meeting. He said it was because of necessity.

Silke Pope: She supported closing the meeting. She said the meeting was about the possible acquisition of the school, so it is stated by law that they were able to close it.

William Orleans: He is not on council, so he did not vote. He said, however, it was probably totally unnecessary to close the meeting. He added his opinion that council avails itself of the opportunity to go into executive session when it’s not necessary.

Leta Mach: She supported closing the meeting. She said legal advice indicated it was proper to have the meeting closed.

Emmett Jordan: He supported closing the meeting. He said he thought it was appropriate. Council held three public hearings on the middle school, he stated.

Judith “J” Davis: She said she did not vote because she was away due to her father’s funeral. However, she said if she had been present, she would have voted to have an executive session. Looking at property acquisition is one reason for going to executive session, she added.

Editor's Note: This story has been corrected. An earlier version incorrectly provided information about the date on which the forum was held. We regret the error.