Hello I’m Jean Homes, a member of the League of Women Voters of Fremont, Newark and Union City. Recognizing Sunshine week March 11-17, 2007, the League, would like to thank you, the directors of the Alameda County Water District for supporting Open Government.

Sunshine Week is a time for governmental and non-governmental organizations to focus on the importance openness in government plays in ensuring a strong democracy and the liberty we all cherish. James Madison once said: "The advancement and diffusion of knowledge is the only guardian of true liberty." 

We ask you to continue to advance and diffuse the knowledge the citizens of the water district need by continuing to adhere to California’s Brown Act that governs meetings conducted by local legislative bodies. We applaud you for your commitment to facilitate public participation in our local government. We specifically acknowledge the excellent and full minutes of your board meetings that are on your web site. We also find your web site easy to navigate. Your announcement of notice of accessibility issues before each agenda is especially good. We would, however, encourage you to consider adding copies of reports as attachments to the agenda so that the public may review any materials given to the board for its meeting. 

We ask you to continue facilitating public participation in local government by doing the following:

• ensure dates and times of all meetings are noticed, 
• ensure agendas including a brief description of all agenda items be posted at least 72 hours prior to a regular meeting, 
• encourage public comment on each agenda item, and 
• publish minutes of meetings in a timely manner. 

Again, we thank the board for your continued support for open government.

On behalf of the League may I present you with this poster celebrating Sunshine Week.