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Cambria agrees to abide by open meeting laws

June 21, 2019

Julie Tacker

The Cambria Community Services District agreed to stop charging for emailed agendas after receiving a cease and desist letter from activist Julie Tacker. [Cal Coast Times]

Last month, Assistant General Manager Monique Madrid invited the public to go to the district website to subscribe for agendas. On the website, the district charged $36 a year for emailed agendas in violation of the Public Records Act and the Ralph M. Brown Act.

Tacker, an expert in sunshine laws, sent a cease and desist demand to the district asking them to stop the practice, reimburse fees or face a lawsuit.

In her letter, Tacker noted the fee had been inequitably applied and may have disenfranchised low or fixed income residents from participating.

Tim Carmel, Cambria’s legal counsel, thanked Tacker for “bringing another matter relating to compliance with the Brown Act to our attention,” and agreed to stop the practice and return any fees collected.

“The district takes compliance with the requirements of the Brown Act seriously, and in that respect we are appreciative of your diligence in seeking to assure such compliance,” Carmel wrote. “Based on our review of the statutes, we have advised CCSD staff to discontinue the fee for emailed subscriptions.”

The Ralph M. Brown Act was passed in 1953 because of mounting concerns that government bodies were avoiding scrutiny by meeting secretly. The act guarantees the public the right to attend and participate in meetings of legislative bodies, and to have forewarning of discussion items through agendas.

“I just want access for all,” Tacker said. “The fee was collected illegally and I’m thrilled the funds will be returned.”


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Just mentioning Cambria next to that picture says it all LMAO!


0

Again, you are causing Jim Crow style segragative view points. We are people.

#peoplerallyagainsttheelite!

The Peasants revolt of 1381 England! Google it!


0

Where in any part of this article does it state, or even imply, party affiliation(s)? It doesn’t…

One other thing there CC’, if I remember correctly Ms. Tacker is a Democrat, right? And there is no mention of Ms. Madrid party of choice (the position she holds is not an elected one). So, you’re tangent on “libocrats” is out of touch, not based on any facts and doesn’t relate to this article, right?

Get a grip! Considering your party leader, Trump The Pervert, is about as lawless as they come you’ve no room to talk or demand anything until you demand the same from your fearful leader.

Oh yea… a “Marauder” is a predator, one who looks to steal and pilfer from others, maybe you should reconsider your moniker before announcing your 100% obedience to the law…


-1

Let’s unite and not fight! If you see hate, call out hate! There are some hateful kinfolk here whom need assurance we are all together as Good People here with similiar humanly intentions. I <3 CCN readers, they are more open minded than TV watchers, whom are brainwashed.


And Thank you to the Journalist making headway, Julie, I am grateful for your empathy and Journalistic drive.


3

Ha, follow the Rule Of Law.


Who’da thunk it.


#SaveUsFromTheLeftists


8

Mr. CC Marauder,


I agree, the whacky Democrat Party has abandoned the rule-of-law, and they seek to take this country backwards, so we must encourage all decent people to abandon support for these whacky liberals.


A perfect example is Democrats embracing so-called ‘Sanctuary City/State’ policies, where taxpayer money is handed over to lawbreakers. Preposterous!


Another whacky Democrat policy is their moratorium on the death penalty, where cop killers, serial killers only get ‘three hots and a cot’, while we pay to support them until they die.


Get it? Democrats DO NOT deserve our support in 2020.


0

Ha, do you know how many times citizens cite the Brown Act at Paso council meetings both left and right to a pretty Right leaning board that actually works well together. It’s not left or right, it is about people. Target people whom are bad, not their beliefs. We are people, not a political party or even a nation first, God bearing people. Please stop creating segregation with comments like that. We are way past Jim Crow. Unity over segregation.


1

And also, Kevin Rice aka Mjd; relax and provide some sources cited and facts to validate your rambunctious feelings. Idk why you change user names so frequently yet post the same things in same format all over Slo county.


-1

Hey, dumbass. I’m right here. My user name doesn’t change. And I use my real name unlike you, coward.


Paso is Right-leaning? That’s funny stuff, oldtimer.


0

Thank you, Jullie Tacker.


This behavior by a government official is so egregious, Assistant General Manager Monique Madrid ought to be fired immediately.


Where do they find these people?


4

If carmel was any kind of lawyer he would have caught that, how much other stuff gets by him.


7

Carmel’s law firm failure over and over in Arroyo Grande costing the residents lots of money, hope Cambria has better luck.


9

Thank you, Julie for your success here!! Kudos to Carmel for being gracious, but a pity he didn’t catch it first and needed Julie to tell him the law.


24

My thoughts as well, thanks Julie for your unrelenting support of the public in governmental affairs. Sadly, so many of our officials, elected or appointed, have forgotten what our system is all about, us.

Many years ago I approached the county clerk for some public info, I was refused. I had to get a Supervisor (thanks David Blakely for your help) to intervene.

Tim, why didn’t you quench this before it became an issue?


6