ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, May 19, 1996 TAG: 9605200102
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-3 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: WISE
A judge has ruled that the Wise County Board of Supervisors violated the state's Freedom of Information Act, and ordered the board to open their budget deliberations to the public.
The Bristol Herald Courier, The Coalfield Progress and the Kingsport (Tenn.) Times-News joined in a lawsuit claiming the supervisors broke the law when they held a closed-door budget committee meeting April 30.
The supervisors claim the executive session was called to discuss investment of public funds and specific personnel matters. The newspapers told Circuit Judge Nicholas Persin other items were discussed, in violation of state law.
Reporters from the three newspapers testified Friday that while they stood outside the meeting room, they could hear the committee discussing such things as funding for schools, vehicles for the Sheriff's Office, employee raises and computer equipment.
- Associated Press
LENGTH: Short : 29 linesby CNB