Hello I’m Miriam Keller, president of the League of Women Voters of Fremont, Newark and Union City. Recognizing Sunshine week we, the League, would like to thank you, the Newark City Council for supporting Open Government. 

Leagues across the country are recognizing Sunshine Week as 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 encourage the citizens of Newark to participate in their government 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 your desire that all council members be re-trained on a regular basis on the provisions of the Brown Act

The purpose of California’s Brown Act is to facilitate public participation in local government decision making and to curb the misuse of the democratic process by secret legislation by legislative bodies. We ask you to continue facilitating public participation in local government by doing the following:

• ensure dates and times of all meetings are noticed at least 72 hours prior to a regular meeting,
• 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 you the Newark City Council for your continued support for open government.

We have for you a poster commemorating Sunshine Week.