SWEET- HEART TIME — For those who are looking for something different — as opposed to dinner and a movie — to attend as part of the celebration of Valentine’s Day this weekend, the Niagara Regional Theatre Guild is presenting the Ladies First Jazz Big Band Valentine’s Day Concert from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 12, at the Ellicott Creek Playhouse, 550 Ellicott Creek Road, Tonawanda.

Tickets cost $10 presale and $15 on the day of the event. All tickets are available by calling ahead and picking them up at the box office or by purchasing tickets at the box office the day of the performance. Call 284-6358 or go to NRTG’s website, www.niagaratheatre.com, for reservations, tickets or directions.

INCREASING TRANSPARENCY — Members of the public have, on occasion, complained that they cannot fully understand discussions among members of public bodies, even though the discussions occur in an open forum.

For example, a board member might refer to the second paragraph of page three of a record without disclosing its content prior to the meeting. Although the public has the right to be present, the ability to comprehend or contribute to the decision-making process may be minimal and frustrating.

A new section, 103(e), has been added to the Open Meetings Law. The purpose of the legislation is simple: those interested in the work of public bodies should have the ability, within reasonable limitations, to see the records scheduled to be discussed during open meetings prior to the meetings. The language of the amendment appears in the text of the Open Meetings Law.

The amendment addresses two types of records: first, those required to be made available pursuant to Freedom of Information Law; and second, proposed resolutions, law, rules, regulations, policies or amendments thereto. When either is scheduled to be discussed during an open meeting, the law requires that they be made available to the public, to the extent practicable, either prior to or at the meeting.

To comply with the new provisions, copies of records must be made available to the public prior to or at the meeting for a reasonable fee, or by posting them online prior to the meeting. The amendment authorizes an agency to determine when and what may be “practicable” in making records available.

Through the disclosure of records scheduled to be discussed during open meetings, the public can gain the ability to better understand and appreciate the issues faced by government.

The Tonawanda Town Board regularly posts its agenda prior to its meetings. It can be found on the town’s website: http://www.tonawanda.ny.us.

VOICE YOUR OPINION — One way to express your opinion is to write a letter to the editor and email it to ddonohue@beenews.com. The Bee’s policy states that letters to the editor cannot exceed 300 words; must include your name and street address; and no one may have a letter published more than once every four weeks.

To comment anonymously, call the Bee Heard line at 632-0390.

Should you have an idea for a story or wish to have a candid conversation about the happenings in the Town of Tonawanda or Village of Kenmore, email or call me directly at 204-4920.