By Patricia Surrett Cleburne News Editor Greg Flanders says he tried to stay in his corner of the county and mind his own business, until a contractor for the county sprayed the right of way in his yard with herbicide, three different times after he asked that his yard not be sprayed. Voicing his concerns about herbicides led to another problem. County commissioners agreed to postpone the decision to renew a herbicide contract, then approved it in a called meeting that Flanders didn't know about. The meeting was called to discuss a personnel issue. The Cleburne County Commission meets the second Monday of each month, but rather than adjourning the meeting, it is continued.
Commissioners say it's a necessary practice to handle county business.
We're not trying to break the law. We're just trying to do our best. County attorney Doug Ghee said the commission is meeting the requirements of the Sunshine Law and the called meetings are legal. Commissioners would not agree to adjourn the regular meetings but did pass a resolution to affirm their intent to comply with the open meeting laws and encourage public participation in their meetings. Commissioners did agree to hold a work session on herbicides to review the possibility of dangerous side effects.