Archived News
Public records requests shed light on closed sessions
In its role as government watchdog, The Smoky Mountain News submitted public record requests to county and municipal governments in our four-county coverage area asking for the minutes of all closed meetings held in 2018. While the governmental bodies responded with differing degrees of compliance, detail and responsiveness, the ultimate goal was to hold government accountable and keep the public’s business in the open.
- Behind closed doors: Public records laws have exceptions
- Closed sessions easily accessible in Jackson
- Detail varies in Sylva minutes
- Bryson City tackles personnel issues in closed meetings
- Swain uses closed meetings for contract talks
- Franklin business rarely out of public view
- Closed meetings the norm in Macon
- Development, personnel drive Haywood closed sessions
- Waynesville closed sessions boring, but by the book
- Small-town closed sessions few, far between
