The Boulder City Council members make some very good points about the need for executive sessions. So yes, we do need executive sessions. But then comes the question, can we trust this council to exercise this ability to meet in secrecy honorably? And I use the word honor purposely, will they truly restrict its use only to the topics and discussion where it is really called for.
The answer is no. When this council faced the issue of one of their own, Crystal Gray, who defrauded her employer, they did nothing - it's clear that this council (Suze Ageton excepted) does not have the moral backbone to handle this power appropriately. And definitely not honorably.
So we're in a quandary. Executive sessions are needed. Our present council-members will almost certainly mis-use the power. What to do. Here's my suggestion. Vote no on 2B. And when it fails, we suggest that they craft a similar law with one addition.
All Executive Sessions will be recorded on video and that video will be made publicly available in full 90 days later.
Virtually everything that calls for Executive Session does not need to be kept confidential forever, it merely needs to be kept confidential while negotiations of some type are underway. This addition to the proposal enables Executive Session while retaining open government.
Vote no on 2B.
