In Our Opinion … The public’s business should always be in the open

Some things are worth repeating – especially when it comes to elected officials conducting the business of the city.
And that means playing by the rules, and living up to the various promises that politicians always make – such as, to take care that the business of the people is open and transparent.
We often wonder why those seeking to be elected think that being transparent is somehow a new concept.
This leads us to a curious incident from the last city council meeting when Councilmember Mohammed Hassan, out of the blue, asked the council to meet in a closed session.
The purpose of that meeting was to discuss “city business.”
Hassan has been in office for 16 years and certainly should know better by now.
The state’s Open Meetings Act requires very specific reasons, and a limited number of them, to hold closed meetings. And a closed meeting certainly requires a timely public notice first. Hassan’s request didn’t even come close to being acceptable.
Come on, councilman, learn the rules of the road when it comes to conducting the business of the public.
City Attorney Odey Meroueh saved the moment by saying he had an update on a pending lawsuit filed by former city manager Max Garbarino.
In fact, it would likely be a good idea if the entire council, and mayor too, take the time to actually read and remember the full language of the OMA.
Posted May 22, 2026