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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body bgcolor=white lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><a name="_MailEndCompose"><span style='color:#1F497D'>Don –<o:p></o:p></span></a></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>I am a bit confused by your email. If you would like to point out a specific section that the Council has violated, I would be happy to address it. If you had been in attendance at the last work session or the last legislative session I am sure you would have realized that many of us do in fact have a basic understanding of contract law and what has been written in the Charter and Code; there were several resolutions and ordinances read in and/or presented during those meetings to address Charter inconsistencies that were so nuanced as to require official legal opinion. I apologize if you felt it inappropriate to quote Maryland rules and regulations – I was attempting to address a question on the core legality of how and why meetings may be legally closed; our oath of office additionally requires us to support and uphold the Constitution of the United States, the State of Maryland, Prince George’s County, and our Town’s Charter. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>I hope to see yourself and Melissa at both the next meeting for the Cafritz special session as well as the Work Session and Legislative meetings to ensure that your viewpoints are included in the public record. In the three months since I have taken my oath of office, I hope that my legislative production illustrates that I do have an understanding of the Town Charter and Code; if it does not, I am always open to suggestions and constructive criticism. I have included the Town’s regulations which I am sure you can agree is completely consistent with the Maryland Open Meetings Act that I previously included:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:windowtext'>§ 204: Meetings of the Council<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:windowtext'>The council shall meet at least once a month. Special meetings may be called for a<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:windowtext'>specific purpose upon request of the mayor or a majority of the council members. All<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:windowtext'>meetings of the council shall be open to the public, and the rules of the council shall provide<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:windowtext'>that residents of the town shall have a reasonable opportunity to be heard at any meeting<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:windowtext'>in regard to any municipal question.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:windowtext'>Nothing contained herein shall be construed to prevent the council from holding an<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:windowtext'>executive session or acting as a special hearing body from which the public is excluded, but</span></b><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:windowtext'>no ordinance, rule, or regulation shall be finally adopted at such an executive session or<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:windowtext'>hearing.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:windowtext'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:windowtext'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:windowtext'>Best,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:windowtext'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:windowtext'>Jonathan<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:windowtext'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #B5C4DF 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";color:windowtext'>From:</span></b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";color:windowtext'> Don Lynch [mailto:dlynch@garretroomstudios.com] <br><b>Sent:</b> Friday, September 09, 2011 11:56 PM<br><b>To:</b> jebbeler@efusionconsulting.com<br><b>Cc:</b> towntalk@riverdale-park.org<br><b>Subject:</b> Re: [RP TownTalk] Executive Session - Open & Closed Meetings<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>What would be nice,would be if we heard, what Mr. Archer claimed, that we would examine the gems of your collected body of insight and visionary gleam to elucidate those who were shut out of closed doors, within two to three days. Still waiting...<br><br>Don't quote Maryland rules and regulations, we have our own charter which our town government loosely follows or at the very least haven't read with comprehension.<br><br>Don <br><br>On 9/9/2011 9:09 AM, Jonathan W. Ebbeler wrote: <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Friends/Neighbors –<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>If I may, I would like to weigh in on the Executive Session discussion to hopefully provide some clarity.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Most of this may be found here (<a href="http://www.oag.state.md.us/Opengov/Openmeetings/support.htm">http://www.oag.state.md.us/Opengov/Openmeetings/support.htm</a> )<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Chapter 4 specifically deals with defining the narrow reasons why it is prudent and necessary from time to time for elected officials to have closed meetings. According to the Maryland Open Meetings Act Manual (7<sup>th</sup> ed.) there are fourteen (14) circumstances under which a public body may close a meeting:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>-<span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Sylfaen","serif"'> §10-508(a)(1): discussion of personnel matters including actions, compensation issues, performance evaluation</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Sylfaen","serif"'>- §10-508(a)(2): to protect the privacy or reputation of individuals with respect to a matter that is not public business</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Sylfaen","serif"'>- §10-508(a)(3): the acquisition of real property</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Sylfaen","serif"'>- §10-508(a)(4): proposals for business or industrial organizations to locate, expand, or remain in the State</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Sylfaen","serif"'>- §10-508(a)(5): the investment of public funds</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Sylfaen","serif"'>- §10-508(a)(6): the marketing of public securities</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Sylfaen","serif"'>- §10-508(a)(7): to consult with counsel to obtain legal advice</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Sylfaen","serif"'>- §10-508(a)(8): to consult with any individual about pending or potential litigation</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Sylfaen","serif"'>- §10-508(a)(9): to conduct collective bargaining negotiations</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Sylfaen","serif"'>- §10-508(a)(10): the discussion of public security if public discussion is a risk to the public or public security</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Sylfaen","serif"'>- §10-508(a)(11): the preparation, administration, or grading of a scholastic, licensing, or qualifying examination</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Sylfaen","serif"'>- §10-508(a)(12): to conduct or discussion of an investigative proceeding on actual or possible criminal conduct</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Sylfaen","serif"'>- §10-508(a)(13): to comply with a specific constitutional, statutory, or judicially imposed requirement that prevents public disclosure (i.e. federal/state law)</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Sylfaen","serif"'>- §10-508(a)(14): to discuss a matter directly related to a negotiating strategy or the contents of a bid or proposal</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Sylfaen","serif"'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Sylfaen","serif"'>The meeting on Wednesday was closed per §10-508(a)(4). Also of note, we also had an Executive Session on August 15<sup>th</sup> per §10-508(a)(1) to afford the full Council a chance to interview at length and probe the personnel record of our newly appointed and confirmed Chief of Police. </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Sylfaen","serif"'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Sylfaen","serif"'>In the Legislative Meeting that was held on Tuesday (and lasted until after midnight), a resolution was passed to engage in negotiations to purchase the property on Route 1 known as Jey’s Auto. Although §10-508(a)(3) could have been invoked in initial discussions, this topic was instead brought up at the prior week’s work session for full public scrutiny and comment. The Open Meetings Act provides for closed sessions, but Mayor and Council strive to, wherever possible, keep meetings open to public discussion.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Sylfaen","serif"'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Sylfaen","serif"'>Please also note that the Cafritz Conceptual Site Plan (CSP), traffic study, and filed application with MNCPPC (Park & Planning) is currently at Town Hall and is available for public inspection and I invite ALL to take a look. I am hopeful that our town staff in the near future will scan these voluminous documents and make them available on the town website at a minimum. I would be happy to suggest to staff that these be put out for public review on the table during any Town meeting.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Sylfaen","serif"'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Sylfaen","serif"'>This is a project that impacts us all and will have impacts that will be felt for decades. If the Council can better address your concerns, PLEASE contact us. I, myself, have tried to be responsive to any constituent concern. If we can do a better job in disseminating out information and you have suggestions how, bring it to our attention. I would love to see the room packed with people at the next informational session (tentatively scheduled for Sep 22<sup>nd </sup>or thereabouts). The Council has asked the Mayor and staff to produce an informational mailer (hopefully in both English and Spanish) to be distributed to every household in town prior to this meeting. I strongly encourage people to attend and make your voices heard!</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Sylfaen","serif"'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Sylfaen","serif"'>Best,</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Sylfaen","serif"'>Jonathan</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Sylfaen","serif"'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:8.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";color:#000040'>Jonathan W. Ebbeler | </span></b><b><span style='font-size:8.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>Councilmember – Ward One</span></b><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:8.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>Town of Riverdale Park</span></b><span style='font-size:8.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";color:#000040'><br><a href="mailto:jebbeler@riverdaleparkmd.gov">jebbeler@riverdaleparkmd.gov</a><br><a href="http://maps.yahoo.com/py/maps.py?Pyt=Tmap&addr=2000+Airport+Road%2C+Suite+125&csz=Atlanta%2C+GA+30341&country=us" target="_blank"><span style='color:#000040'>5008 Queensbury Road</span><span style='color:#000040;text-decoration:none'><br></span><span style='color:#000040'>Riverdale Park, MD 20737</span><span style='color:#000040;text-decoration:none'><br></span></a>Office: <a href="http://www.plaxo.com/click_to_call?lang=en&src=jj_signature&To=888%2D861%2D8881&Email=jebbeler@efusionconsulting.com" target="_blank" title="Click to call. Cheap rates & no headset required!"><span style='color:#000040'>301-927-6381</span></a> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:8.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";color:#000040'>Mobile: <a href="http://www.plaxo.com/click_to_call?lang=en&src=jj_signature&To=404%2D626%2D2082&Email=jebbeler@efusionconsulting.com" target="_blank" title="Click to call. Cheap rates & no headset required!"><span style='color:#000040'>404-626-2082</span></a></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'><br><br><br><o:p></o:p></span></p><pre>_______________________________________________<o:p></o:p></pre><pre>TownTalk mailing list<o:p></o:p></pre><pre>To post to the list, send mail to <a href="mailto:TownTalk@riverdale-park.org">TownTalk@riverdale-park.org</a><o:p></o:p></pre><pre><a href="mailto:TownTalk-request@riverdale-park.org">TownTalk-request@riverdale-park.org</a> is for automated subscription processing only<o:p></o:p></pre><pre><a href="http://riverdale-park.org/mailman/listinfo/towntalk">http://riverdale-park.org/mailman/listinfo/towntalk</a><o:p></o:p></pre><pre><o:p> </o:p></pre><pre>For more information about Riverdale Park, visit <a href="http://www.riverdaleparkmd.info">http://www.riverdaleparkmd.info</a><o:p></o:p></pre><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div></body></html>