Openness doesn't give you control

They show up now and then, concerned citizens with a beef they want to bring before a public body.
And most of the time, they don’t understand how the system works.
Say you’ve had a problem with your local water or sewage utility or school administrator or the guys who collect your trash.
So you go to the next meeting of the council or the school board to sound off.
That’s what Indiana’s Open Meetings law is all about, right?
Wrong.
Indiana’s Open Meetings law provides that you — the public — and us — news media — get to witness and listen in on the workings of government. It’s that simple and that limited.
Most, if not all, local governmental bodies allow a chance for the public to speak. And if you have a grievance, you could air it there. But don’t expect local government to drop its agenda and suddenly adopt yours.
It doesn’t work that way.
And if you’re dealing with an issue that might have any legal ramifications at all, don’t expect to hear much beyond the sound of crickets after you have spoken your piece.
Elected councils and boards have been cautioned by their attorneys to refrain from responding to grievances raised in a public forum. It’s simply far too easy to be misunderstood.
That’s particularly true when it comes to school boards, which have to work under an incredibly complicated set of legal requirements.
Are there exceptions? Sure.
The Jay County Commissioners tend to have an open door and an open ear when it comes to hearing public comments and grievances. The commissioners seem to welcome folks who need to let off steam.
But, even then, don’t expect a quick answer or easy solution to your grievance. They’ll listen. Then, later, they’ll do some research.
In their own way, that’s what school boards and city and town councils do as well. They listen. But they don’t have to surrender control of the meeting or put your concern at the top of their agenda. — J.R.