To the editor:

This is to respond to the recent article in the Tryon Daily Bulletin reporting that commissioner Ray Gasperson was “kicked out” of the closed session during the Feb. 17 board of commissioners meeting.

I completely disagree with commissioner Gasperson’s recollection of what occurred during the Feb. 17 closed session.

However, my personal integrity and the public trust placed with me as a commissioner prevent me from taking issue with his specific statements, no matter how incorrect and improper I know them to be.

The purpose of having a closed session is to permit me and my fellow commissioners to engage in free and open discussions amongst ourselves on certain, very limited topics.

We should not have to fear that our closed session conversations will be prematurely disclosed.

Disclosure of closed session discussions violates the mutual trust allowing for open discussion and the free exchange of ideas.

One commissioner not agreeing with what is being discussed in close session does not give him or her the liberty to discuss that item outside the meeting.

– Ted Owens, Columbus