Carthage Special City Council meeting violated MO Sunshine Law

CARTHAGE, Mo. — The Missouri Attorney General’s Office says the Carthage City Council violated the Sunshine Law during its May 10 special council meeting.

The AG’s Sunshine Law Compliance Office says after repeated objections and warnings from Mayor, Dan Rife — the council discussed, and voted on, matters of significant public interest — even though those items were not listed on the agenda.

That was just one of the many meetings when Carthage Councilmember, Tiffany Cossey was jeered by the audience over her sarcastic and disrespectful comments to Mayor Rife.

You’ll remember that was the meeting that Councilmember, Chris Taylor walked out of — saying he didn’t want to go to jail.

In a strongly worded letter, the AG’s office agrees with Mayor Rife and Chris Taylor and says this new council has 30 days to schedule mandatory Sunshine Law training, or the AG could take further action.

Newly elected Councilmember, Lori Leece has suggested all of her counterparts go through this training.

The AG says future council agendas must also have more specific language relating to agenda items.

If you’re keeping track, this new council has now had seven special and three regular council meetings since the April 2 election.

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