Phelps County Circuit Judge John Beger ruled that the city of Edgar Springs, Missouri, violated the Sunshine Law by barring residents’ constitutional right to access city hall for four years, without a chance to appeal the decision.
According to the ruling, the Phelps County city must pay plaintiff Rebecca Varney a fine of $600 plus legal costs, and uphold her right to visit city hall to inspect city records when it is open to the public.
Sunshine laws are federal regulations that require public disclosure of government agency meetings and records. They require specific businesses and government agencies to maintain transparency and disclose their activities to the public….