Initial committee meetings will be closed By Paula R. Kincaid The Layman Online Sunday, June 20, 1999 Sunday night's organizational meetings of the General Assembly's committees will be closed, insisted Stated Clerk Clifton Kirkpatrick. During Sunday afternoon's plenary session, Kirkpatrick cited section C.4.f of the Standing Rules of the General Assembly, which states that, "Ordinarily, the initial meeting of each assembly committee shall be an organizational meeting in private session for up to one hour for the purpose of developing intergroup dynamics and determining procedural matters, such as adoption of the committee's agenda and consideration of the style in which the committee plans to operate. During this executive session, business items before the committee shall not be discussed or acted upon." Layman editor questioned closed meetings Parker T. Williamson, executive editor of The Presbyterian Layman had questioned Kirkpatrick about the legitimacy of closing Sunday night's meetings. Williamson cited the open meetings policy that states that meetings may only be closed for discussion of property negotiation, personnel, civil and criminal litigation or security. "I believe that the Stated Clerk is in error on this one," said Williamson. "In my opinion, his ruling violates the open meeting policy and enshrouds the first committee meetings of this General Assembly in secrecy. How can you build trust in these circumstances? I deeply regret the Stated Clerk's action." |
|
| E-mail
your response to Fort Worth We welcome your e-mail response to this story and will display your comments on a TV screen for commissioners and visitors to the General Assembly in Fort Worth. Please keep your response brief. |
|
| The
Layman Online daily coverage 1999 General Assembly issues The Top Ten issues at General Assembly Capsule reports on the past 10 General Assemblies |
|
| Home
· News
· PLC
Publications ·
The
Presbyterian Layman Online Reviews · Archives · History of the Lay Committee · Feedback · Links |
|
