COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) -- A member of the governing board of the South Carolina Transportation Department says she will skip a private dinner for the panel this week.
The State newspaper reported that Sarah Nuckles of Rock Hill said she will not attend the dinner Wednesday night at Lake Murray at the home of Transportation Secretary Robert St. Onge. The meeting comes the night before the board's meeting.
Nuckles says she thinks the gathering violates the state's open meetings law.
DOT Spokesman Pete Poore says St. Onge is paying for the dinner at his home and no business will be conducted.
Columbia media attorney Jay Bender says the gathering would violate the Freedom of Information Act unless the agency provides at least 24-hour notice.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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