Resident questions lack of minutes, requests video and copies for Aug. 26 Canton special meeting

Sherry McKinney, a Canton resident, told the Canton City Commission she attended a special city meeting held Aug. 26 at Inspiration Hills and could not find meeting minutes or posted information from that meeting. She said she had to leave that meeting early and later requested records from city hall but found no minutes available.

McKinney said she “jotted down notes” and later typed them into a two-and-a-half page record for her own use. She told the commission she will provide copies of those notes and offered them to the public, saying she has copies available in the meeting room.

At the meeting McKinney said a speaker identified as “Mr. Garbers” had asked for more public input at the special meeting; McKinney urged the city to improve transparency and to videotape such meetings so the public can access the discussion. “I just don't understand why this information of this discussions weren't posted,” she said, adding that videotaping is feasible in the current era of live recording.

McKinney thanked the mayor and commission for allowing her to comment and encouraged the city to make records and recordings available to residents who cannot attend events in full.