Parsons city commissioners met in an executive session during a Thursday work session, but the decision to meet in private wasn’t made unanimously.
Commissioner Peter Cook objected to the closed session because the motion didn’t include enough information for the public. The session was called to discuss possible incentives based on sales and confidential financial information related to the financial affairs of a corporation.
“I think to have an executive session on this, it ought to be a little more revealing because we’re not telling anyone anything except we’re going to meet in secret to talk about something,” Cook said.
As a Parsons Sun publisher, Cook was critical of the commission for often meeting in executive sessions, but Thursday was the first time he voted against a closed session since joining the commission in January. He retired as publisher prior to running for election.
Cook said the commissioners should name the company they would discuss or at least give some detail other than what was given in the motion.
Economic Development Director Jim Zaleski, who was included in the closed session, then abruptly approached the podium.
“At this point in time, if we named the company, the company would not come here,” Zaleski said.
(Read more: Parsons Sun)