High court passes on controversy over clerk

OAKLEY (AP) — After hearing arguments, the Michigan Supreme Court won’t step into a dispute over whether a village clerk can be sued under the state’s open meetings law.
 
The court issued an order Monday. It means an appeals court decision in favor of Cheryl Bolf will stand.

The Oakley village clerk was sued after changes were made to the official minutes of a 2012 village trustees meeting. The open meetings law says a public official who intentionally violates the law shall be held personally liable.

But a Saginaw County judge and the appeals court say Bolf doesn’t meet the definition because she’s not a member of the village board.

In dissent, Supreme Court justices Richard Bernstein and Stephen Markman say the village clerk is a public official under the open meetings law.