Observer Corps...Protecting Your Right to Know
Protecting our right to know is integral to our democracy.
Joining other Leagues throughout the country, the LWV of Sussex County established an "Observer Corps" in January of 2009 to help ensure that government transparency laws, or "sunshine" laws, are being followed in our community.
Observers monitor governmental bodies to learn how issues are being addressed and whether proper notice is given before issues are discussed and decided, public input is solicited and open meeting laws are followed. The Corps also serves as the "eyes and ears" of the League, identifying issues that are important to our mission so the League can act, if warranted.
Our emphasis has been to have League Observers present at as many County Council and Planning & Zoning (P&Z) Commission meetings as possible. The meetings are held in County Council Chambers in Georgetown, with Council held most Tuesday mornings and P&Z meeting twice a month on Thursday evenings. At the beginning of each month, Observers volunteer for any meeting or meetings they can attend.
Observers prepare summaries of the meetings to keep the League officers, committees, and members aware of decisions of the Council and Planning & Zoning Commission. These reports can provide action items for further League involvement in the county. Example Observer Corps Reporting Form
In addition, the Observer Corps prepares an annual report on the CoSuncil's general compliance with open government and sunshine principles. For information about Sussex County's Open Meeting Law, click here. To view a past Observer Corps Annual Report provided to County Council, please contact Jack Young, Observer Corps Chair.
Perimeter Buffer Update - Presentation to County Council 12/12/2023 (external link)
The most recent reports prepared by the Observer Corps members:
- Sussex County Council Meeting, February 20, 2024
- Sussex County Council Meeting, February 6, 2024
- Sussex County Council Meeting, January 30, 2023
- Sussex County Council Meeting, January 24, 2024
- Sussex Planning & Zoning Meeting, January 24, 2024
- Sussex County Council Meeting, January 23, 2024
- Sussex County Council Meeting, January 9, 2024
- Sussex Planning & Zoning Meeting, January 3,2024
- Sussex County Council Meeting, January 2, 2024
- Sussex County Council Meeting, December 12, 2023
- Sussex County Planning & Zoning Meeting, October 2023
- Joint Workshop, Sussex County Council and Planning & Zoning, September 2023
- Sussex County Council meeting, August 2023
- Sussex Planning & Zoning meeting, August 2023
- Sussex County Council meeting, July 2023
If you are interested in participating in this program as a regular or occasional Observer, please contact young [at] sandlerreiff.com (Jack Young), Observer Corps Chair.