Usually the powers that be have the sense to label these shenanigans a “Blue Ribbon Committee” or some similarly exalted moniker.

EDITOR NOTE–Even those “subagencies” which make RECOMMENDATIONS to the governing body are subject to the open meeting law. City councils and county commissions are well informed on the issue, thanks to the Attorney General staff. They now have new students at CWI.

I hope that a few interested “commoners” in this class-based society try to crash the closed meetings, if the Open Meeting law doesn’t accomplish its purpose first.

Some things never change — including the willingness of the “unwashed masses” to vote for these programs. You’d think we’d at least learn to make it more difficult for our leaders to get what they want. I quess we all have more money than we know what to do with and are therefore willing to vote for these programs and the accompanying taxation.

As said earlier, thanks for the shining light.

it does appear that they are just taking on the example set by our federal government.
along with Rod, I say keep on shining that bright light into the darkness of our locals.

i do recall a sociology class when a disgruntled student asked Dr. Baker “So do you actually think that people in the government get together in some big room with people in big business and make secret deals without our knowledge!!!!” Dr. Baker paused for just a moment and replied “Yes. Yes, that is exactly what I think.”

Another example of how Thomas Jefferson’s words resonate with me:

“Eternal vigilance is an essential element of a democratic system. A citizenry that takes the good judgment of its leaders for granted is a society that leaves itself vulnerable to disappointment and failure.”

Thankfully we have news sources such as the Guardian.

I guess the first question is: Will they have a quorum of trustees, or will one or two trustees meet with a small group of business/community leaders?

I think they can circumvent open meeting rules in some fashion that way.

Or, they can open the meeting to anyone but announce that only invited speakers will be allowed to talk. Isn’t that what the legislature does?

” … but a government funded and managed institution of higher learning must abide by the Open Meeting Law.”

Kinda wonder how that applies to the Legislature. Are the attendees at the R’s closed-door cauci paid by taxes– i.e., government-funded?

City Council, etc., of course, can have closed-door (no lowly folks allowed) sessions by calling them personnel or planning or somesuch meetings. There, they can decide whatever, then come out into the open and vote (actually, I suppose, repeat the vote) in public, and it’s OK.
Or are they gonna try to tell us they don’t actually decide before the doors are unsealed? Hah!

It’s government, G-man. It keeps happenin’ — and, as Smokey says, “Only you can prevent” it.

Keep sniffin’ the air and reporting the stench, Guardian.

OK, everyone. I am a big fan of the Guardian, but I did some sleuthing this morning and found that the facts need to be expressed related to CWI and the meetings they are holding this week and next. I am just going to lay them out. 1) First of all, the meetings are ALL open to the public. And, the media have been invited to ALL of the meetings. 2) The meetings are being publicized to the community through both ads and news releaases. 3) Anyone can attend the day meetings. There was no attempt to invite “special” people only. If someone wants to attend, you can call CWI and sign-up or just show-up. These ARE OPEN MEETINGS and the public is being notified. 4) Invites for the day session were sent out to hundreds of people in the community. They ranged from teachers to mayors. The attempt was to ensure CWI gets feedback, especially from those who have an interest in CWI. The most important people attending will not be the “big wigs” – but, teachers, high school conselors, etc. I commend CWI for trying to ensure that feedback is given vs. just posting meeting notices and not proactively trying to get people there. But, again – the day sessions are for everyone and media are invited to report back to the community what happened. 5) Most public meetings are held in the evening, so that the public can attend. That makes sense. People who don’t attend in the day, will have a chance to attend at night. Meetings are being help in both Ada and Canyon Co. – I think this is great. 6) The same materials are being used for the day session as the night. There is no attempt to hide information from the public. 7) The statement about CWI fledging is off – they are working with Sellend right now and are offering classes and they are all set to begin classes in Jan. What they do offer will probably be influenced by the public meetings. CWI may have to cut back the budget from what was initially proposed, but people – this isn’t the best economy right now. Everyone is cutting back. I’m happy they are being cautious. This is smart business. 8) The board was slated to meet before the public meetings. The meeting has been cancelled because it is so important to them that public feedback is gathered. That doesn’t sound like a bunch of people “sneaking around.” 9) Bottom line, there is a lot of misinformation in the Guardian’s post. Not sure why. Thus, a lot of fun was had today at the expense of CWI. If you are interested in giving feedback, don’t post on this site. Call CWI and find out how you can attend one or all of the meetings. Give your feedback there. Ask questions there.
Thanks – I hope everyone will attend. Bill

EDITOR NOTE–In the interest of open forum, the GUARDIAN asks that you give your feedback wherever you choose. We would NEVER ask readers or citizens to refrain from voicing their opinions anywhere. We find it refreshing to hear CWI is opening all meetings to the public. Perhaps they need to clarify the issue with the Daily Paper as well.

I don’t think apartheid means what you think it means. I’d think a page so progressive as this would avoid using such words to describe proportionately minor civic behavior. You do a disservice to all those who suffered.

EDITOR NOTE–It means a system “Apart” and when you give special treatment to one group APART from the rest of society it is indeed APART. We specifically mentioned the situation was NOT racially based.

Mr. Logic – It says in the invite that parents and students are invited. And, I am one of them. I don’t know how or why I was invited because I am not elite. I am a lower middle-class, single father of three girls (mom died last year). I want CWI because that may be the only way my girls can go to college. I guess there was some kind of big mix-up in the invites. Although, I don’t think I will be the only one of my kind there. Did the Boise Guardian run a background check on everyone invited? It seems so since they are lumping everyone into the “elite” category. I’m sorry, but I am both a little offended and saddened.

I called someone at the Statesman and she told me that they got the info. about the day sessions from someone at CWI before the story was written and there was no attempt to cover anything up. And, for the record, I don’t think I was chastising David. I was just putting the facts out there based on two good sources.

Thank you CWI for working so hard to ensure people are at the public sessions. It seems so ironic that the issue here is holding private meetings, yet CWI is really trying to ensure that just the opposite happens. Also, I guess thank you Boise Guardian for helping CWI publicize these important sessions! Too bad “elite” and “apartied” were used when it appears just the opposite is happening.