Globe Council Members Accused Of Violating Open Meeting Law

Article submitted by:
James P. Haley II
Councilman District 1

On January 18, 2007, City Manager Manoj Vyas advised through a memorandum distributed to the Mayor & Council Members that Councilman James Healy (Haley), Councilman Fernando Shipley, Councilwoman Carmen Casillas, & another Councilman (later identified as Councilman Ross Bittner) had allegedly participated in a meeting that was held on Tues., Jan. 9th, 2007 at an undisclosed time in the afternoon at the Globe Senior Center in possible violation of Arizona’s Open Meeting Laws.

Councilman Haley met Fri., Jan. 19th, 2007 with City Manager Vyas at Vyas’ office at City Hall & sternly advised Mr. Vyas of his erroneous assumption concerning Councilman Haley’s alleged involvement in the meeting; as Councilman Haley could not have been one of the council members involved in the meeting in question due to the fact that Councilman Haley was teaching class at Holy Angels School (where Haley is employed) throughout morning & afternoon of Jan. 9th, 2007. Councilman Haley has clearly stated that he has no direct knowledge whatsoever concerning the nature of the alleged meeting at the Globe Senior Center or the number of council members if any that were present as he clearly was not a party to the meeting.

During the Friday meeting with the City Manager, Councilman Haley further requested that Mr. Vyas check the accuracy of the information provided to him before he drafts & distributes future memoranda implying that council members have been involved in possible criminal activity.

Councilman Haley stated that he most certainly respects Mr. Vyas’ concerns regarding possible Open Meeting Law violations. Haley stated, “I think that the matter of investigating any alleged violation of the Open Meeting Laws would best be handled by Mr. William L. Tifft as the City Attorney; therefore, I requested that the City Manager schedule an Executive Session addressing the allegations of possible violation(s) of the Open Meeting Laws as soon as is feasible.”