It is hard to imagine a more important issue for our community than what is to be done with the chemical weapons stockpile and the safety precautions surrounding it. And it is hard to imagine an issue that our county commissioners should be more open and clear about.Yet it is precisely this issue upon which they are not only being unclear but secretive.
Witness last week's meeting involving all the commission members; their Washington lobbyist, David Springer; Lt. Col. Bruce Williams, the Army's head of the chemical weapons stockpile; and Tim Garrett, the Army's project manager for the Anniston incinerator.
Of course, it was hard to witness it as it was held in secrecy. Neither this newspaper nor anyone else outside that closed circle knew about the meeting. That not only stinks to high heaven - it might very well be in violation of Alabama's Open Meetings Law.
That, however, we will leave to some brave resident who wishes to carry that forward. The issue at hand is the need for our commission members to realize the importance of being open about all issues, especially those concerning the safety of this community.
But of course they should know that. This elected body has been struggling with the problem since the beginning. We should be able to see the commission members as leaders on this issue, not as people who are complicating the situation.
Holding a closed-door meeting about emergency preparedness and trying to hide behind Mr. Springer and an excuse of attorney-client privilege should be an insult to every person in this county.
And who, we have to ask, is making the decisions at the commission? Commissioner Hender-son tells us that, yes, perhaps the media should have been called, but closing the door was Mr. Springer's idea. And two of the commissioners, Lea Fite and James "Pappy" Dunn, indicated that Mr. Springer had advised them the meeting could be held in private.
Yet Mr. Springer told this newspaper he was unsure what the requirements of Alabama's Open Meetings Law are.
What gives, gentlemen?
Public confidence, for one, along with a perception that the commissioners, Mr. Springer and officials from the Army would rather make these terribly important decisions out of the public eye.
That simply cannot be, gentlemen. The chemical weapons stockpile and emergency preparedness should not be the subject of private County Commission meetings. The community will not stand for it.
