news-record.com

The Greensboro City Council wisely recognized the public interest in closed meetings Tuesday. By a 6-3 vote, the council decided to record meetings it conducts behind closed doors.

State law allows a city council to meet in closed session for legitimate reasons. Those reasons include discussing personnel matters, hearing confidential advice from an attorney about legal issues and considering economic-incentive offers.

There are times when information ought to be withheld. When planning to purchase property, for example, the city might not want other potential bidders to know how much it's willing to pay.

Nevertheless, elected officials are still talking about public money. Once a property deal is concluded, or a business accepts an economic-incentive offer, or in any other instance where the need for secrecy has passed, the public ought to be allowed a glimpse into the proceedings that previously took place out of sight. What information was considered? What arguments were made? Who took what position? It certainly should interest voters to know where their elected representatives stood.

The council voted earlier this fall to release minutes from some closed sessions, but sketchy notes may lack sufficient detail. For its own benefit, as well as for historical accuracy and accountability to the public, the council agreed Tuesday to do better.

A few council members opposed the motion to record closed sessions, worrying that the likelihood of later disclosure might inhibit debate. Some apparently frank discussions in the past might have proved embarrassing if they had been recorded and released.

Elected officials have to get over those fears. They represent the public in closed meetings as well as open meetings and should conduct themselves with dignity in all settings.

History, and the voters, will be watching.