Friday, October 9, 2026 | St. Lawrence County, NY
CANTON— New York Coalition for Open Government creates an annual “Naughty and Nice” list, which highlights transparency in governmental settings throughout the state.
The watchdog …
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BY JOSH DAVISNorth Country This WeekCANTON— New York Coalition for Open Government creates an annual “Naughty and Nice” list, which highlights transparency in governmental settings throughout the state.
The watchdog group placed the Canton Town Board on its “nice list,” which celebrates actions taken by local governments that stand in keeping with the state’s Open Meetings Law or that otherwise support governmental transparency.
The group celebrated the town board’s refusal to allow County Legislator Joseph Lightfoot to join its executive session as a non-member of the board.
At the June meeting of the Canton Town Board, County Legislator Joseph Lightfoot’s request to be a part of an executive session discussing a franchise agreement with internet provider SLIC was rejected, with town board members determining that the District 3 legislator’s attendance would not be appropriate.
Coalition for Open Government member Christine Czarnik said that “we watch our local town boards, and we frequently see improper use of executive session,” noting “sometimes that’s through ignorance and sometimes that’s through abuse.”
“So when a town board does the right thing, it stands out,” Czarnik said.
“The Canton Town Board was being pressured by a county legislator to be allowed to participate in executive session of the town board: he was not a member of the town board but wanted to participate.”
“This board stood up, did the right thing, and refused to allow that to happen,” Czarnik noted.
“For that reason they deserve to be commended and I’m happy they made the nice list.”
See earlier story on that interaction here https://www.northcountrynow.com/stories/town-of-canton-cites-lack-of-communication-with-county,306832?
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