A recent ruling by the Minnesota Supreme Court regarding closed meetings was the correct decision.

The Court ruled that the Prior Lake City Council violated the law when it went into private session to discuss a legal threat on a pending matter. Calling open meetings "fundamental to democracy," the Court voted 6-1 to reverse the ruling of two lower courts.

Although the case involved a specific city, the Court’s decision sets an important and long-reaching precedent.

In our eyes, the Supreme Court’s decision confirms the public’s right to know. Any other decision would have compromised that.

Such behind-the-door meetings may rarely happen, but the ruling tightens a loose legal loophole.

The lone dissenting judge worried that city officials might be second-guessed and are elected to exercise their judgments.

The main issue doesn’t seem to be a loss of trust, but of accountability. City officials still have the power to make decisions, but should expect community members to take an active role in decisions being made that will affect them.