Chafee presents letter to Gov. Carcieri at EDC meeting

August 23, 2010

Click here for PDF of press release.

Contact: Mike Trainor
(401) 252-1097
MTrainor@chafeeforgovernor.com
chafee-staging.leftbrain.net

MEDIA ADVISORY

The below letter, written by Lincoln Chafee, independent candidate for Governor, was presented by the Chafee campaign this afternoon to Governor Carcieri at a meeting of the Board of the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation (RIEDC). In the letter, Chafee calls into question the notice for the Board meeting, which he believes may be in violation of the Open Meetings Law.

August 23, 2010

The Honorable Donald Carcieri
Office of the Governor
State of Rhode Island
State House, Room 115
Providence, RI 02903-1196

Dear Governor Carcieri:

I am in receipt of your correspondence concerning today's meeting of the Economic Development Corporation.

I have serious reservations about the notice for today's meeting. It appears that the item to enter executive session is defective. As such, it is very possible that any action taken at that executive session will later be contested in the courts.

R.I.G.L. § 42-46-5(a)(6), which you cited to justify entering executive session, provides that a meeting may be closed for "any discussions relating to or concerning a prospective business or industry locating in the state of Rhode Island when an open meeting would have a detrimental effect on the interest of the public". It is not enough for the matter to concern relocation, it must also be shown that an open meeting would have a "detrimental effect on the interest of the public". The effect on the company is not at issue, it is the interest of the public that is being protected.

I believe that you have a responsibility as Chair to place my request to address the Board on the agenda, not to summarily deny it.

I urge you to schedule a new meeting at which I and other members of the public will be free to speak about this important issue.


Sincerely,


Lincoln D. Chafee

Click here for PDF of press release.

Linc Chafee is a tested leader of unquestioned integrity and a strong independent voice. As Governor, he will work hard to create new jobs, rebuild our economy, solve our chronic budget problems, end corruption, and forge a new way forward for Rhode Island.