Open meetings mean open government

Two county commissioners have been meeting illegally. At least this is what the third commissioner says.

He appears to be right.

County commissioners Greg Partch and Pat O’Neill apparently meet to make decisions and then announce them as a fait accompli at public meetings. Such get togethers are illegal. Elected public officials serving on boards cannot conduct business in an unannounced meeting when a quorum is present.

In Whitman County, with its three commissioners, a quorum or majority is two.

The commissioners work within feet of each other and conversation is necessary to run an operatio...