
What Open Government Could Look Like in Homer
Learn how the Homer Town Board can build trust through open meetings, transparency, and public participation. A guide to open government in Homer, NY.

Billboards and the Cost of Closed Doors
The Homer Town Board’s handling of the billboard debate showed how secrecy creates costs for a community. Without transparency, residents were denied access to draft laws, consultants went undisclosed, and public input was minimized. The result was division, wasted time, and a loss of trust — proving that closed doors always come at a high price.

Freedom of Information in Practice: How Homer Residents Can Use FOIL
The Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) gives every New Yorker the right to access government records. For the Homer Town Board, that means residents can request agendas, emails, draft laws, and more. Here’s how FOIL works — step-by-step — and why it matters for transparency in Homer.

The Basics of New York’s Open Meetings Law
The New York Open Meetings Law guarantees that government business happens in public, not behind closed doors. For the Homer Town Board, that means giving proper notice of meetings, limiting executive sessions, and sharing minutes with residents. Transparency isn’t optional — it’s the law.

What Is Open Government?
Open government is built on three simple ideas: transparency, accountability, and participation. For the Homer Town Board, that means making meeting documents available in advance, keeping clear public records, and encouraging residents to have a voice in decisions. When government is open, trust grows — and our community becomes stronger.