Every year in December the Comet sends a letter to all governing bodies requesting they provide written notice of the date, time and place of any meetings, executive sessions or rescheduled or reconvened meetings for the following year. The request is made pursuant to IC 5-14-1.5-5, also known as Indiana's Sunshine Law.

In general, groups using taxpayer monies are expected to notify the media of their meetings. Those included are commissioners, councils, township advisory boards, school boards, library boards, area plan commission, conservancy districts.

It is also the duty of those governing bodies to notify the media, and you, about meetings of advisory groups and committees they appoint. Those entities include park, and airport boards and groups such as the redevelopment commission. Also included would be committees such as the steering committee for the comprehensive land use plan, which was appointed by the Carroll County Area Plan Commission.

Most of those mentioned are in the habit of compliance with this request. Readers know they comply because meeting notices are printed in the "Government Meetings" section of the paper on page A4 each week.

We urge all those obligated by law to inform the media about their meetings, who have not complied in the past, to do so. We will in turn notify our readers and your constituents. We urge all readers to contact your elected officials if you do not see meeting notices in print and urge them to comply with the open door law. It was adopted for your benefit.