A resident of Milesburg Borough in Centre County is suing the council, claiming they unlawfully filled vacant elected positions and conducted business without proper public input. This lawsuit highlights the challenges faced by citizens in enforcing transparency in local governance. Pennsylvania’s open meetings law is meant to safeguard transparency, but litigation is often costly and difficult. The borough has been marred by dysfunction and staff departures earlier this year, leading to the lawsuit.
The lawsuit alleges that the council violated state law by filling vacant seats without a quorum and limiting public input. Milesburg Borough Council has disputed the claims and argued that the appointments were valid. The court has denied a preliminary injunction, and the case is ongoing.
The resident bringing the lawsuit, Bryce Taylor, is representing himself after his requests for prosecution by the district attorney and state attorney general were ignored. Prosecutors have jurisdiction over criminal violations of the Sunshine Act, but proving willful disregard of the law is challenging. Advocates are exploring legislative changes to clarify the burden of proof in Sunshine Act litigation.
This case underscores the importance of holding local governments accountable and ensuring transparency in decision-making. Citizens must often rely on costly and difficult litigation to enforce transparency laws. The outcome of this lawsuit could have implications for how local governments conduct business and involve the public in the decision-making process.
Source
Photo credit www.spotlightpa.org
