A lawyer’s seasoned advice before private meeting

Never before in a long career as an attorney had Larry Brandt faced a situation quite like it.  The Oconee Joint Regional Sewer Authority attorney felt compelled yesterday to caution the authority board of directors as they were about to convene a closed-door meeting.  They were to meet privately for legal advice about one municipality’s threat to sue the others.  Brandt urged the commissioners to be respectful of another’s position when it pertains to Seneca’s quest for a re-alignment to give that city increased representation on sewer policy.  At the same time, the JRSA lawyer urged all involved to avoid saying something that their attorneys might disapprove of.  Just as the doors were closing for the executive session, board chairman Scott Parris of Walhalla asked whether there were any objections to allow Westminster Mayor Brian Ramey to take part.  Ramey has been nominated to the board, but his appointment is not scheduled to be made official until action tonight by his city council.  Chairman Parris thought it would be a good idea as Ramey, he said, is going to be involved.  Seneca’s Scott Moulder said he had no objections, but Walhalla-Westminster representative Tally Grant said, “I have a problem.”  And with that, Ramey could do nothing except leave the meeting room.