Our view: Open government limits should be temporary

Something occurred last week which received little, if any, notice amidst the ever growing concern of the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus.

March 15 through 21 was National Sunshine Week, which celebrates open government and citizens’ access to public records, documents, actions and deliberations.

The Wyoming Legislature created a guarantee that residents could know what their state and local governments are doing for or to them through the state’s open government and records acts. Those statutes assure that all citizens have access to government records and meetings, while enforcing the right of participation in city, county and state government.

It is troubling that during the week which celebrates open government, provisions were enacted that limit the public’s access to their government. As the spread of the coronavirus increases we understand the need to limit public gatherings, but at the same time have deep concern of the lasting implications it may have on our guarantee of an open government.

Though few attend a city council or county commissioner meetings (unless a topic directly affects them) the ability to do so and voice their thoughts is not something that should be cast by the wayside and disregarded. Even though our local government may limit the topics on their agendas to general business items, people still have a right to know and participate in both the mundane meetings as well as the boisterous ones.

We are thankful that both the Green River City Council and the Sweetwater County Commissioners are aware of the open meeting laws and are looking at available options to ensure they do not trespass upon the public’s rights.

The spread of the coronavirus presents a hazard to the public and their open meetings and there is also the a lasting hazard to be considered.

The loss of open government, even in the face of a medical crisis, would be a travesty to all and a loss from which our society may never recover.

At newspapers across the country, and no less here at the Green River Star, we know that the public’s right to open government is not on the forefront of the public’s mind with the current coronavirus situation.

Nonetheless it remains as a priority to us.

We will continue to hold our elected officials true to their pledge to uphold their duty to an open government. We will continue to make sure the people of this city, county and state are afforded their right to participate and that this situation does not compromise those rights for the future and future generations.

And as always, we will continue to provide coverage of the local governments and challenge any means by which they may willingly or unwittingly bar the public from participating in their government.

Even in a crisis, this newspaper will not let the right of open government atrophy and become useless.