SUGAR NOTCH – Council cancelled a meeting Saturday night after one of the members said it violated the state Sunshine Act. The 6 p.m. session at the municipal building had not been advertised and was called to discuss the 2011 budget, said Councilman Mario Fiorucci. He said he objected to the special meeting and five other council members, the mayor, secretary and treasurer who showed up walked out.
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Rush Township is appealing a ruling by the state's Office of Open Records that it must allow a former supervisor to review financial records from early 2007. Marion J. Lazur, a township resident who served on the board of supervisors from 2002 to 2007, turned to the Right to Know Law after the township refused to turn over bills and invoices from January, February and March 2007. Read More…

WILKES-BARRE – A Luzerne County judge this week dismissed a lawsuit filed against Exeter borough and its council that claimed council violated the state Sunshine Act in April during a meeting on zoning issues related to the then-proposed Walmart store. Read More…

Luzerne County Controller Walter Griffith said he is exploring a possible legal action or complaint against county commissioners alleging that they violated the state Sunshine Act. Griffith said he has evidence that all three commissioners met behind closed doors on Nov. 24 to discuss formulation of the county’s proposed 2011 budget. The Sunshine Act says deliberation by a quorum of an agency must occur at a public meeting unless it meets certain exceptions, such as discussions about some personnel issues, contract negotiations, property lease/purchases and litigation. Read More…

WILKES-BARRE - Luzerne County Commissioner Chairwoman Maryanne Petrilla explained Thursday why she secretly signed an agreement Aug. 11 to hire legal counsel for a lawsuit over the Scranton/Wikes-Barre Yankees. "We were directed by our attorneys not to tip our hands," Ms. Petrilla said. "We wanted to protect the taxpayers' interest in the franchise and not publicize anything." Read More…

WILKES-BARRE - Luzerne County Controller Walter L. Griffith Jr. accused county commissioners of violating the state Sunshine Act to discuss issues about the sheriff's budget in private Wednesday. Read More…