Forty-six weeks have passed since Jefferson County agreed to mediation with Fort Discovery Inc. about a moratorium on new gun ranges and owner Joe D’Amico’s complaints about Jefferson County land use rules. Tarboo Ridge Coalition, which opposes Mr. D’Amico’s plans to build seven gun ranges at Tarboo Lake, asked to observe the mediation. State law allows citizen participation, but the county and Mr. D’Amico’s attorney denied our request. A day after agreeing to “mediation,” Fort Discovery’s attorney and the county began regular weekly meetings. They extended throughout the 16 weeks during which a committee helped the county create a new ordinance. Mr. D’Amico was a member of that committee. After nearly a year of meetings and communication between the county and Fort Discovery, they have not met with or appeared before a mediator. By definition, no mediation has occurred. Nonetheless, whatever took place in those many meetings remains a secret because the county has redacted page after page of communications TRC obtained through public records requests. What went on in those meetings should not be hidden from the public. TRC believes the County Commissioners should not finalize the new shooting range ordinance without fully allowing the public to know what went on behind closed doors. Openness, transparency and trust in government demand no less. PETER NEWLAND Board President Tarboo Ridge Coalition