CLARK CO. (ECWd) –
The Clark County Park District Board of Commissioners had scheduled their board “retreat” – a public meeting – for this morning at 9:00 a.m. at St. Mary’s Church in Marshall, Illinois.
When I arrived, I informed the board that the meeting location was not convenient to the public, and the District had failed to post notice of the meeting 48 hours in advance, at the location of said meeting.
After Larry Yargus accused me of “harassing” them, and a phone call to the district’s attorney, who was initially not receptive to the idea, the attorney did finally state that the meeting was not in compliance with the Open Meetings Act (“OMA”).
The board then made the correct decision to cancel the meeting.
My opinion in this is that it is not hard to follow the requirements of the OMA, and that meetings of a public body should never be held in a place of worship – even if it is in a conference room of that place of worship. It diminishes the sanctity of the church, and should be offensive to all those attending.
Edit to correct title of office
7 Comments
Warren J. Le Fever
Posted at 19:42h, 07 NovemberHere we go again… In my opinion, the Mill Creek Park district is a circus and we sure know who the clowns are. I live in Marshall not far from The Catholic Church and just happened by on my way to Walmart and saw Larry Yargus’ truck parked in front and never expected to find out about an hour later about the illegal meeting. Certainly not in a church. When I first heard about it I laughed along with some others because cockeyed behavior on the part of the Park Board members is now accepted by local folks. They have become Clowns not worthy of respect. Then I realized it’s something shameful that should never happen in a church (ANY CHURCH).
My standards of expected behavior are supposedly out of date (in the opinion of certain city politicians) and if I state them supposedly I’m bullying whomever I express them to (for heavens’ sake, don’t ever ask a city hall employee about misused public funds). When I was young, I was taught what are now old fashioned standards. Church property is supposed to be treated with respect. I know a building is merely a building and it’s not my church (I go to the little Methodist church across the street), but ALL religious facilities’ character should not be diminished by being used for illegal purposes.
Do you reckon we’ll see an article in the Marshall Advocate about this incident?
Kara O'Rourke-Butler
Posted at 16:33h, 07 NovemberThank you Rick Sullivan for liking our facebook page — and a huge Thank you to Kirk and John for all the help and support they have provided this far!!
Kara O'Rourke-Butler
Posted at 16:25h, 07 NovemberThank you Rick for liking the facebook page — and yes Kirk and John are doing a great job!!
RICK SULLIVAN
Posted at 14:29h, 07 NovemberPROUD OF ALL PEOPLE THAT DO THE RIGHT THING…I LOVE THE NEW FACEBOOK PAGE
Dave L.
Posted at 14:05h, 07 NovemberI see no reason why Mr. Yargus would feel you are harassing them….maybe because they all have something to hide, and you are the only person strong enough to poke around and find things and then take action! Also, Yargus goes to the Catholic church in Marshall……
jannie
Posted at 13:10h, 07 NovemberActually I classify a church as a public building – not like a private membership club that you have to be a “member” to walk into. Personally I’d thought Park Board would hold it at a Library meeting room or someplace similar. But the important point is that there is the proper notice given to the public about the meeting.
Kirk Allen
Posted at 11:38h, 07 NovemberNot to mention public meetings are not allowed to be held in private buildings.