Last week, three members of the Anna Maria planning and zoning board appeared to have run afoul of the state’s Sunshine Laws.

The misstep was just that – an accidental toe-stubbing with reference to the open meetings – Sunshine – rules, and not the stuff to merit any Woodward and Bernstein-type inquiry.

The incidents do, however, illustrate why it is important, even in a small city such as Anna Maria, to be aware of what these laws are and why we have them.

During a break in a site plan hearing, board member Margaret Jenkins asked fellow board member Frank Pytel to consider a suggestion for alternative parking at a site. Randall Stover, also a P&Z Board member, was enlisted to listen, as well.

They were sitting on the dais in full view. Obviously, there was no intent to circumvent the law. Jenkins said she thought the meeting was still in session. She said she asked the question during the break in the meeting because under the laws, she’s not allowed to discuss anything outside of an open meeting. She was surprised that a break in the meeting is not part of a formal meeting.

Both Pytel and Stover said they were trying to help Jenkins understand.

Several minutes after the hearing was reconvened, Pytel even stated for the record that he and Jenkins had a discussion and that he was trying to help her clear up some confusion.

Clearly, nobody was trying to skirt any laws or to influence any vote.

It was just one of those slips that happen every day around the state between members of boards and committees.

The laws can seem cumbersome, and every new member of a board chafes at the necessity to discuss everything in the open.

Those laws, considered the most stringent in the nation, mandate that members of commissions, boards and committees conduct the taxpayers’ business in the open, in the Sunshine.

The laws were passed by the legislature, which exempted itself from the requirements, and are supposed to make sure that government actions are transparent and clear to all.

When Jenkins, Pytel and Stover had their conversation, which didn’t last even five minutes, they appeared to be technically in violation. They were all open and willing to discuss what had happened and to admit what they had accidentally done. Addressing the situation immediately and so openly is commendable on the part of these public servants.

The Sunshine Laws, while cumbersome and sometimes annoying, are what keeps our local government actions in the public arena. They give each citizen the opportunity to make comments and participate in the governmental processes shaping our lives and pocketbooks. They are supposed to prevent the back room wheeling and dealing that used to be government as usual before the advent of the transparency laws.

Our Island cities all give training on the Sunshine Laws and make printed material available, as well.

We hope each elected and appointed official will take time to revisit those handbooks and to make every effort to conduct their public business in public.