In the Coeur d'Alene Press, guest writer Duncan Koler takes the Coeur d'Alene School Board to task for limiting public input and banning the public's ability to tape- and video-record the meetings. Koler writes in part: "The board has also prohibited citizens' audio or video recordings at the meetings. Ms. Bauman finds it intimidating, despite the fact all meetings are recorded by the district for their own purposes. Ms. Bauman falsely asserts she is intimidated because citizens "stick a microphone" in her face. That is baloney, since Ms. Bauman and the rest of the board sit up front and above the level of the public at the monthly meetings, many feet separating them. Ms. Bauman says the public can watch the meetings on Time-Warner Cable, but many of us do not have cable TV, and feel it's important to accurately document what the board says, so that we can accurately inform others." More here.

Question: Would you want to be video-taped and/or tape recorded, if you happened to be an elected or appointed official on a public board or committee?