Why Sunshine Laws Matter: The Light That Keeps Democracy Alive
By Aaron Christopher Knapp, Lorain Politics Unplugged
Knapp is a public records advocate, investigative journalist, and candidate for Lorain City Council, 6th Ward. He has filed multiple public records lawsuits in the Ohio Court of Claims, including against Lorain City Council, the Police Department, and county agencies. He writes about transparency, accountability, and the law from firsthand experience.
I. Introduction – Government in the Dark is No Government at All
Imagine a world where your local government could meet in secret, make decisions behind closed doors, and deny your right to know what’s going on in your own community. That world isn’t fiction. It’s what the United States looked like before the modern era of open government laws—before Sunshine Laws.
Ohio’s Sunshine Laws aren’t just bureaucratic checklists. They are the front line of defense against corruption, cronyism, waste, and abuse. They give the public the right to attend meetings, inspect records, and ask questions. They are democracy’s flashlight—because power kept in the dark becomes dangerous.
In Lorain, Ohio, and in towns across the country, these laws are under threat—not by repeal, but by neglect. Elected officials dodge training. Clerks substitute attendance logs for certificates. Records are delayed, denied, or destroyed. And the public is left guessing.
This article explains what Sunshine Laws are, why they matter, and how violations—especially in places like Lorain—signal a much deeper problem in our political system.
II. What Are Sunshine Laws?
Ohio’s Sunshine Laws are made up of two key statutes: the Open Meetings Act (R.C. 121.22) and the Public Records Act (R.C. 149.43).
The Open Meetings Act requires that government bodies conduct their meetings in public. It prohibits secret sessions except under narrow circumstances, and it gives the public the right to attend and observe. No policy or law should be decided behind closed doors unless explicitly allowed by statute.
The Public Records Act gives every citizen the right to inspect and obtain copies of public records. This includes emails, contracts, policies, complaints, text messages, and more. It’s not a favor—it’s a right.
Together, these laws ensure transparency in both decision-making and documentation. They are binding, not optional. And they apply to every level of government in Ohio.
III. Why Do Sunshine Laws Matter?
Sunshine Laws are the legal framework that prevents abuse of power. They matter because they protect your right to know what government is doing with your tax dollars. They prevent secret deals, backroom appointments, and hush-hush firings. They allow journalists and watchdogs to investigate wrongdoing. They give everyday citizens the tools to question authority.
Transparency isn’t just a moral principle. It’s a legal safeguard. When a public official knows their actions might be reviewed, recorded, or reported—they are far less likely to break the law.
IV. What Happens When They’re Violated?
When Sunshine Laws are ignored, the public loses its ability to participate, to critique, and to hold government accountable.
In Lorain, I’ve personally documented repeated failures. Councilmembers have skipped Sunshine Law training and refused to submit their certificates, even though Rule 41 of Council mandates it. Clerk of Council Breanna Dull repeatedly provided spreadsheets instead of the required certificates, and has yet to give any valid legal explanation.
Records requests I submitted to the Law Department, Police Department, Mayor’s Office, and even the Council itself have been ignored or delayed. From requests about officer complaints to council communications during meetings, the city’s response has often been silence. One request even documented the Mayor allegedly texting during a public meeting, yet those records were never turned over.
Worse yet, when I requested communications involving County officials like Tim Wietzel or the Prosecutor’s Office, the response was the same: “no records,” or unjustified redactions. Dozens of my filings are now the subject of court actions.
This pattern is so embedded that it has become operational policy. The goal isn’t just to comply slowly—it’s to wait until the requestor gives up.
There has been one exception. Ted Kalo, the Lorain County Clerk of Courts, is the only official who promptly complied with my records request in full. He turned over everything I asked for without resistance, redaction, or excuse. That kind of transparency should be the norm, not the anomaly.
V. Why Should You Care?
You might think this is technical. It’s not. Sunshine Laws affect you directly. When a zoning board changes what can be built next door without notice, that’s a Sunshine Law issue. When the school board fires a principal or cuts a program in secret session, that’s a Sunshine Law violation. When a contract gets awarded to a political donor with no open bids, it’s Sunshine Law failure.
The right to watch, question, and document these decisions is what separates democratic governance from authoritarian control. If we lose these rights—or stop fighting for them—we lose our voice entirely.
VI. What Can You Do?
First, know your rights. You don’t need to be a lawyer to file a public records request. You don’t need a press pass to attend a city council meeting. Ohio law protects your ability to engage.
Second, be persistent. Officials count on silence. They hope you’ll give up. Don’t. Document everything. Follow up. Ask again. I’ve had to sue. Most people shouldn’t have to—but it works.
Third, support local journalism and watchdog efforts. Investigative work takes time. Sharing and funding it makes a difference.
Finally, vote like it matters. Because it does. Elect leaders who respect transparency and are willing to be held accountable.
VII. Final Thought – Sunshine Isn’t a Slogan. It’s a Standard.
If we want better government, we need to demand it. And the first step is shining a light.
Sunshine Laws aren’t red tape. They are the foundation of public trust. They ensure that what happens in City Hall belongs to the people—not just the people in power.
So the next time someone tells you a spreadsheet is good enough, or that a record “doesn’t exist,” or that you’re being difficult for asking—remember this:
It’s not just your right. It’s your responsibility.
Aaron Christopher Knapp is a public records advocate, investigative journalist, and candidate for Lorain City Council, 6th Ward. He has filed multiple Sunshine Law enforcement actions in Ohio’s Court of Claims and continues to document transparency failures at the local and county level.