Judge rules Clearcreek trustees violated law

By Larry Budd

Staff Writer

CLEARCREEK TWP., Warren County —

A Warren County judge has ruled that Clearcreek Twp. trustees violated Ohio Public Meetings law in a decision stemming from a lawsuit filed in 2011 on behalf of a local resident.

Judge James Flannery ruled the trustees violated the law by holding private pre-meetings before public meetings in a decision issued in Warren County Common Pleas Court.

"The court finds without dispute that the Township Trustees made a regular practice of two or all three trustees meeting in the office of the Township Administrator, Dennis Pickett, approximately 30 minutes prior to the schedule public meeting," Flannery said in the decision issued Tuesday.

Flannery ordered lawyers for the township and resident Jack Chrisman to schedule a hearing to decide on the payment of damages to Chrisman and attorney fees in the lawsuit.

This is exactly what happened in Middletown when David Schiavone was removed as Mayor in Middletown and it has happened rather regularly since then. It is illegal and at least unethical. Our Council and City attorney don't seem to mind violating the law.

Paul Nagy