Sep

17

LocalSource: Officials Urged to Approve Televised Meetings, Comply

Filed Under Barbara Rowen, Edward Brewer, Gerald Freedman, In The News, John Kulish | Leave a Comment

By Paul Greulich, Staff Writer

Wednesday, September 17, 2008 1:20 PM CDT

HILLSIDE, NJ - An ordinance to televise Hillside’s public meetings was unanimously approved at a well-attended council meeting, despite prior opposition from some council members. At least one municipal official believes the turnout clinched the approval.

The measure — Joseph T. Loeb Township of Hillside Sunshine Act of 2008 — approved during a Township Council meeting Monday night,  requires officials to record all public meetings and make public records, such as agendas, minutes, ordinances and resolutions, available on the Internet.

Councilwoman Shelley-Ann Bates sponsored the ordinance, which was introduced following a petition circulated by residents last month that called for a referendum vote.

“This is something people have expressed a desire to see,” Bates said. “By keeping people informed, we have a government that works.”

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Sep

10

Ledger: Hillside leaders agree to smile for the camera, Township council finally agrees airing meetings on local cable TV.

Filed Under Angela Menza, Barbara Rowen, Edward Brewer, Gerald Freedman, In The News, John Kulish, John O'Shea, Leonard Gilbert, Mattie Holloway, Sip Whitaker | Leave a Comment

 

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

BY JASON JETT

Star-Ledger Staff

Imagine watching gladiators in khakis and pantsuits.

Next year in Hillside, residents will be able to watch their local government in action — live — as council members spar over issues, pass ordinances and otherwise conduct the people’s business on cable television.

The move was long in coming and not without rancor in a township where council members, while perhaps camera-shy, are anything but coy about their opinions. For more than a decade, the council failed to videotape its meetings, perennially not delivering on commitments to better use video equipment and services that the local cable television franchise provides.

That ended Monday night when the council voted 6-0 to adopt an ordinance forced upon it by a citizens petition drive to amend the township open public meetings and records law.

“Keeping the public informed is critical,” Second Ward Councilwoman Shelley-Ann Bates said after the vote. “We see what can happen when people are kept informed.” Read more

Sep

9

Hillsider: A meeting that should have been on TV

Filed Under Barbara Rowen, In The News, Karen McCoy Oliver | Leave a Comment

The fireworks that erupted at last night’s Township Council meeting are the very reason why the public meetings should be videorecorded and broadcast on cable television.

Residents and activists turned out in full force to support 2nd Ward Councilwoman Shelley-Ann Bates‘ ordinance to televise township meetings and post public documents on the Internet. The ordinance passed unanimously 6-0 with Council President John Kulish absent.

Visit theHillsider.com for more and more.