Athens County Commissioners are being sued for allegedly violating Ohio Sunshine Laws last September.
The commissioners head to court today at 9 a.m. to set a date for the lawsuit.
The lawsuit was filed by Carthage Township resident Steve McVey on Oct. 5. McVey ran in the 2004 commissioners' race.
A Sunshine violation, according to Athens County Prosecuting Attorney C. David Warren, occurs when public officials meet to discuss public business without informing the public.
McVey contends that a majority of the commissioners met with members of the sheriff's office in late September to discuss the sheriff's budget. This meeting was not made known to the media or public, according to McVey.
McVey said he is not doing this for the money. Rather, he is suing the commissioners to keep them from violating the law again.
None of the county commissioners could be reached for comment on the issue.
At the commissioners' meeting yesterday, Jack Frech, human services director in Athens County, told the commissioners he had done 75 damage assessments from flooding and planned on completing 110 by the day's end.
Because of recent flood emergencies, Gov. Bob Taft has declared Athens County to be in a state of emergency. Funds may be available for households with minor children and for the elderly and the disabled for a limited time.
People in households affected by flooding should call the Athens County Job and Family Services at 1-800-762-3775 to request a damage assessment. In order to qualify, damage must be to the actual house, contents or a connected structure, such as a basement. Funds will not be available to pay for outbuildings that sustained damage from the flood.
Applications should be made as quickly as possible but must be completed before Feb. 5, 2005.
For additional information on eligibility requirements, see the Athens County Job and Family Services Web site at http://www.athenscountygovernment.com/jafs.
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