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Century Unable To Discuss Attorney For Four Charged With Sunshine Law Violation
August 27, 2016
Four members of a Century volunteer task force charged with noncriminal violations of the Florida Government in the Sunshine Law will have to wait until next week to find out of the town will provide them with an attorney.
The Century Town Council was to hold a special called meeting Friday afternoon to discuss retaining an attorney, but the council failed reach a quorum in order to hold the meeting. Council members Gary Riley and Ann Brooks were present, but council members Ben Boutwell, Sandra McMuray-Jackson and Annie Savage were absent. At least three members must be present for the council to take any action.
Alfonzie Cottrell, Helen Mincy, Sylvia Godwin, and Robert Mitchell were charged by the State Attorney’s Office with having a public meeting of the Century Citizens Advisory Task Force that was not properly advertised. On July 26, a meeting was advertised to begin at 4:00 p.m. The meeting was actually held at 2:00 p.m. preventing the public from attending.
This case is set for arraignment on September 7. At that hearing, the four will have a chance to enter a plea or move forward with a trial in front of a judge, most likely in one to three weeks after the arraignment. They face a maximum penalty of a $500 fine, according to State Attorney Bill Eddins.
The Century Town Council was also set to discuss the appointment of a Citizens Advisory Task Force to review two proposed grant applications at Friday’s meeting.
A new special council meeting at been scheduled for next Wednesday at 6 p.m. to discuss the attorney and CATF members.
Pictured top: CATF members Helen Mincy, Robert Mitchell and Sylvia Godwin during a CATF meeting on Thursday, July 28. NorhEscambia.com file photo.
Comments
21 Responses to “Century Unable To Discuss Attorney For Four Charged With Sunshine Law Violation”
So, now we have people criticizing a journalist for doing their job and pointing out that an official task force that provides recommendations to the towns government failed to follow established state laws by ensuring the opportunity for community involvement and input? Yes North Escambia shame on you (sarcasm).
They made a mistake, fine. If they are willing, let the board pay the fines for the individuals rather than hiring a lawyer that will cost them major money (and then have to pay the fines anyway). It is non-criminal, no parole or jail is being threatened, use it as a learning lesson and lets MOVE ON!
Not sure why a few on here are concerned with the “who snitched” part of this story. A law appears to have been broken, these folks need to face the consequences.
Don’t break the law and you won’t have to worry about someone airing your dirty laundry.
Well there were certainly good intentions from these Citizens. I want them to know many of us see and know that and offer our heartfelt support for them all. I was hoping the counsel would have rallied to show support for this group so thery could breathe a sigh of relief. Yes this has certainly been a trying time but the bright side is we can see for ourselves who has good character and who does not.
REGARDING:
“Ignorance of the law is no excuse ”
Sure it is.
Juries and judges take it into account when determining guilt, degree of guilt,
penalty — if any. Being honest and contrite goes far in life.
David for good intentions
This whole mess sure does sound like a bunch of crock. Somebody got there feeling hurt so they decided to make sure all got in trouble so it would help there feeling. I pray they can live with there self if one of these older people have a stroke or heart attack because of being scared to death and they don’t understand what is going on. Shame on you
>So States attorney filed the sworn statement after he received testimony from a witness, that would NE I presume. So NE is initiating this formal action? Is that correct?
No, NE did not file a complaint. Our publisher was questioned by a State Attorney’s Office investigator.
The SAO initiated the investigation. That happens sometimes.
So States attorney filed the sworn statement after he received testimony from a witness, that would NE I presume. So NE is initiating this formal action? Is that correct?
>>The escambia clerk of court website online records shows that a sworn statement in the case for each individual was filed. Then another line shows the attorney initiated action. That is what is on record.
You can read the sworn statements in a previous story we ran:
http://www.northescambia.com/2016/08/state-attorney-charges-four-members-of-century-board-with-sunshine-law-violation
They are signed by State Attorney Bill Eddins.
The escambia clerk of court website online records shows that a sworn statement in the case for each individual was filed. Then another line shows the attorney initiated action. That is what is on record.
The SA should be pro-active, not reactive in enforcing the law.
You want them to hide behind their desks and only apply the law when and if someone complains about something?
Really?
Sounds like the State Attorney having Self-Initiated this investigation has effectively imposed a Catch-22 on this group.
Wonder what brought the State Attorney to such a decision?
>>William, who told the states attorney office to begin with
They read about it on NorthEscambia.com.
So, whoever expects the law to be adhered to is “malicious and self serving.” That speaks volumes.
William, who told the states attorney office to begin with. They would not go after such a small thing on their own unless the was something to gain for themselves or a friend. This is conspiracy theory number one.
>> It is a matter of public record who made the sworn complaint has any body else here requested that info?
There was not sworn complainant — the State Attorney’s Office self-initiated the investigation.
Did anybody notice that some of the players in this one are on the primary ballot on Tuesday? You think maybe they ducked the subject until after the election? Come on, just go to court, plead no contest, and let the judge apply whatever fine up to $500 he/she deems fair and move on. It’s a non criminal offence, and whatever the fine is, it’s bound to be cheaper than hiring a lawyer.
It’s amazing to me that a little city like Century maintains who knows how many boards and commissions, and they are forming more. You have to ask; What is our elected council doing? They should be the board or commission for any matter that Century is facing
What needs to happen is to bring into the Sunshine who filed the sworn complaint to bring these charges. That will shine in the sunshine for here on out into the world. I hope it will come to be that this was in bad faith and frivolous and it will bound back onto the persons and persons causing all this for their own satisfaction. Whoever would file this is malicious and self serving, not this formality for a grant that will and would be filed anyway. It is a matter of public record who made the sworn complaint has any body else here requested that info?
More stellar representation for the good people of Century, don’t worry about showing up, council members, you can always discuss it later on the phone…right?
Meeting was advertised for 4pm, meeting was held at 2pm. Sunshine Law was obviously violated. Why should they expect the county to pay for their attorney? Pay your fines and move on Council Members; next time obey the law!
Attorney fees will likely well exceed the maximum fine of $500. This is a waste of time, money and resources in my opinion.
Wouldn’t paying the fine be cheaper than hiring a lawyer??? Just saying!!!
Ignorance of the law is no excuse just go ahead and pay your fines and save the taxpayers money.