News Detail
Pennington Shareholder briefs new policymakers on public meeting guidelines
(12/05/2008, Pennington News Release )
As newly elected officials take their posts on the Wakulla County Commission, Pennington, Moore, Wilkinson, Bell & Dunbar shareholder, John C. Pelham briefed the commissioners, other Wakulla County constitutional officers and their staff on the rules and laws that must be followed by the commission and its members.
Pelham has a firsthand expertise in the laws that govern local and special purpose governments, having served as the staff attorney for the Leon County Commission, acting as general counsel to both the Leon and Liberty County commissions at various periods throughout his career, and having served as a General Counsel for the Florida Governmental Utility Authority since 1999. Pelham shared his expertise on issues such as due process, advertisement and adequate notice prior to the commission convening a public meeting, appropriate matters for public hearing, issues directed to staff for investigation, procedures for citizens who wish to speak, ordinances and resolutions and legislative and quasi-judicial functions.
Other topics addressed at the seminar included Sunshine Law, Public Records Law, FACT county liability insurance, ethical considerations, and purchasing.
Mr. Pelham's practice focuses on eminent domain and the representation of local governments and the representation of corporate, association and individual clients before government agencies. Mr. Pelham has made presentations to various local government associations and property owner associations on a variety of local government law topics.