By Teresa McQuerrey | Payson Roundup
What does a U.S. Senate candidate have to say to a bunch of Republicans in a closed meeting that cannot be said on the record in front of a newspaper reporter?
The Roundup was made aware in late June of a July 3 meeting Republican U.S. Senate candidate Congresswoman Martha McSally wanted to have with Rim Republicans and members of the board of the Rim Country Regional Chamber of Commerce.
The Roundup is a member of the chamber, its general manager, Gary Tackett, is on its board of directors. He was sent the invitation and forwarded it to the editorial department.
The invitation from Gila County Republican chairman Gary Morris did not indicate it was a closed meeting. It said, “U.S. Senate Candidate Martha McSally will be in Payson on July 3rd and has requested to conduct a round table with business leadership and elected officials. She asked me to extend invitations to the Chamber to see if there are members of the Chambers Board of Directors that may want to attend. I’ve already extended an invitation to County and local elected officials.”
Not all the public, but a lot of the public and not officially “closed.”
Immediately after I introduced myself to the Congresswoman, McSally went to one of her staff and then spoke to Morris. Morris in turn came to me and said McSally wanted me to leave. It was a closed meeting.
