Saturday, November 06, 1999
Lebanon to pay fine for illegal meeting
BY SHEILA McLAUGHLIN
The Cincinnati Enquirer
LEBANON — The city will have to pay The Cincinnati Enquirer $6,000 in expenses and penalties to settle a lawsuit the newspaper filed last January over an illegal executive session.
The court order, issued Friday by Judge P. Daniel Fedders, of Warren County Common Pleas Court, awarded The Enquirer $5,500 in attorney fees and a $500 fine.
“Prior to the charter amendment of May 4, 1999, the holding of executive sessions by the Lebanon City Council was a clear violation of the Lebanon city charter. Said practice was not legally defensible,” Judge Fedders wrote in levying the mandatory fine.
The newspaper's suit against council members and then-City Manager Richard Hayward involved an executive session on Jan. 12.
The newspaper claimed city council violated its charter, which states “all meetings of council shall be open to the public.”
The judge issued an injunction, barring Lebanon from holding further executive sessions pending the outcome of a May 4 election. Voters passed a charter amendment allowing executive sessions, an action which rendered the lawsuit moot.
However, the award of a $500 civil fine and reasonable attorney fees are mandatory in cases where an injunction is issued against a public body.
Lebanon officials could not be reached Friday.
Judge Fedders denied The Enquirer's request to pay for attorney fees associated with fighting a gag order Mr. Hayward placed on city employees the day after the lawsuit was filed. The gag order forbade workers from talking to the media.
'2% Club' warrants more study, auditors say
Bill asks to post medical lawsuits
Teen donates Christmas tree for square
HMO change may set trend doctors want
Flynt looks to Butler Co.
Voucher order is blocked
Fire ravages Florence eatery
Gracious, polite trick-or-treaters were a delight
Hillsides closely guarded
Enter our Dress A Turkey contest
GET TO IT
'Harmonium' composer leads stirring premiere of choral masterpiece
DANCE REVIEW
ANTIQUES and COLLECTIBLES
Butler Co. to aid in fund hunt for City Centre
Butler County may hook up to Cincinnati water
Court to decide Lebanon land's fate: apartments or park
Democrat announces run against Westwood
Ex-dissidents now elected to run Cleves
Kenton Co. EMTs use breathing tool
Ky. Catholic schools get $25,000 donation
Lebanon to pay fine for illegal meeting
ODOT gives more to transit center
Police signal to warn of cruisers in area
Reading fire chief to take new job
School helpers may face checks
Skaters learn by baby steps
Teen arrested for false 911 cell calls
Tip leads to arrest in Covington drug death
Tongue-twister name didn't stop voters from writing him in
TRISTATE DIGEST
Trotta was tailor to the stars Loved gardening and his family
UofL player hurt in elevator fall
Village honors its boy soldier
