It’s unfortunate that neither the article on Tom Thiersch’s lawsuit against the PUD nor his online comment included the pertinent details of “a meeting that took place between commissioners by email.”

As referenced in Mr. Thiersch’s lawsuit, Commissioner Ken Collins sent an email regarding a personnel matter to Commissioner Wayne King, manager Jim Parker, a PUD employee and me on Jan. 13, 2015.

When I received it, I immediately forwarded it to Parker, asking him to instruct Collins – who had just taken office – not to do this. I subsequently received a “reply all” email from King responding to Collins’ email, and I forwarded it to Parker with the same request.

I would like our community to know that while I was the unwilling recipient of these emails that violated the Open Public Meetings Act, I neither initiated nor replied to said emails. And this was not the first – or last – instance when I objected to receiving such emails.

Washington has excellent laws on public records and open meetings, and I think most public officials (including JPUD folks) make a good-faith effort to follow them.

But if it weren’t for the power of citizens to seek enforcement, our laws would not be as effective as they need to be.

BARNEY BURKE

Port Townsend