To the Editor:

On Friday, December 13, 2011, Newsday in an article written by Emily C. Dooley stated in the "Our Towns" section that effective February 2, 2012, the Open Meetings Law was expanded to require local governments to provide access to resolutions, policies and other items to be voted upon during public meetings. Further, records are to be made available before or at the meeting.

It also requires document to be posted online if the government regularly updates its website and has a high speed internet connection. Reasonable fees can be charged for copies of documents.

However, according to the Open Government Committee, governments have to adhere to the law only when practical and leaves it up to the public body to determine what that means. Further, the government may but does not have to comply with the law. Further, that if they do not have the ability to give effort to the amendment they do not have to do so.

I trust that the Village of Garden City will do its best to comply. Since the POAs have taken the position that they are not bound by the Open Meeting Law, I expect nothing further from them.

What do you think?

Joseph A. Calamari