Enough with the secret meetings and 'done' deals

To the editor:

All power residing originally in, and being derived from, the people, all the magistrates and officers of government are their substitutes and agents, and at all times accountable to them.

Government, therefore, should be open, accessible, accountable, and responsive. To that end, the public's right of access to governmental proceedings and records shall not be unreasonably restricted. Right-To Know.

Enough with the secret 'non meetings." Enough with the secret - done - deals like buying property behind closed doors before a required public hearing and voted appropriation. Enough with ignoring our tax and spending cap by adding millions in supplemental appropriations days after a budget is passed. The citizens of Rochester are paying the bill! We have a right-to-know everything our government is doing. We have a due process right to speak and be heard in full and without interruption every time they 'take' our money to override the tax cap to cover their overspending and inept budgeting.

- Cliff Newton,

Rochester