It’s a new year but the discord on the Fairmont City Council remains. Right now, the council is facing allegations against three of its members: Britney Kawecki, newly elected Councilor-At-Large, Wayne Hasek, newly re-elected Ward 4 representative and Jay Maynard, Ward 1 representative. The complaints against the councilors include harassment and undue influence allegations.

The agenda for today’s special meeting as is follows:

a. Preliminary consideration of allegations against Council Member Kawecki, an Individual Subject to City Council’s Authority under Minnesota Statutes, section 13D.05, subdivision 2(b).

b. Preliminary consideration of harassment allegations against Council Member Hasek, an Individual Subject to City Council’s Authority under Minnesota Statutes, section 13D.05, subdivision 2(b).

c. Preliminary consideration of harassment allegations against Council Member Maynard, an Individual Subject to City Council’s Authority under Minnesota Statutes, section 13D.05, subdivision 2(b).

d. Preliminary consideration of undue influence allegations on a City Administrator against Council Member Hasek, an Individual Subject to City Council’s Authority under Minnesota Statutes, section 13D.05, subdivision 2(b).

e. Preliminary consideration of undue influence allegations on a City Administrator against Council Member Maynard, an Individual Subject to City Council’s Authority under Minnesota Statutes, section 13D.05, subdivision 2(b).

At the start of the Fairmont City Council meeting on Monday, several community members brought up the allegations during the public comment portion and pleaded with the councilors that have allegations against them to hold today’s special meeting to discuss the complaints in an open meeting format so that the community can hear the details.

As it is, under state statute, individual councilors can chose to have their portion of the hearing done in closed session.

Merriam-Webster defines transparent as “characterized by visibility or accessibility of information especially concerning business practices.”

When citizens are asking for transparency where elected officials are concerned,