Meeting wasn't criminal act

DA Jones won't file charges

Published Thursday, May 8, 2008

By Chris Butler

Wise County District Attorney Jana Jones will not seek criminal charges relating to an April 19 meeting involving three Rhome City Council members that occurred without public notice.

A forum was held that day at the city council chambers, and council members Brandon Davis and David Wilson, both running for mayor against incumbent Mark Lorance, attended, as well as council member Patty Robison, who is running for reelection.

The meeting was designed as a forum to give candidates an opportunity to discuss their platforms. No prior notice was given of the meeting, however, and Jones received a complaint about it.

"I've reviewed the evidence. The meeting does not comply with the notice of provisions of the Open Meetings Act, but it is not a criminal violation of the act, so this office won't prosecute anyone," Jones said.

A governmental body in Texas must post an agenda that includes the date, hour, place and subject of each meeting. The agenda must be posted at city hall in a place readily accessible to the public at all times for at least 72 hours before the meeting, according to the act.