Growing up in North Conneaut, our back yard abutted what at that time was the Conneaut Country Club and later, Conneaut Shores Golf Course.

Thanks to my grandparents, my parents became avid golfers and joined the country club. You really couldn't beat it, slipping out the back yard right onto the long, third hole.

Today, people spend millions for a home adjoining a golf course. We didn't think anything of it.

If we were having a picnic or my dad was mowing in our back yard, he'd wave at the people he knew on the course.

Inevitably, there would be some on-the-fence discussions. Dad relaxed by going behind our garage and search for golf balls.

The family beagle at the time, Penny, loved golf carts and she didn't believe in leashes. If you were a golfer back then and rented an electric cart, chances are when you came back from hitting the ball, Penny would be there, ready to ride with you to the next hole.

She wasn't immune from playing a little keep-away with a golfer's ball, grabbing it, dropping it like she lost interest than scooping it up again as the golfer drew near.

It can't be as nice for the people living in the house now, because the golf course has become a neglected tumble of weeds. It is an embarrassing eyesore that doesn't bode well for attracting lakefront visitors.

If such property a block from the lake isn't sought after for development, what chance is other property?

Well, it looks like someone is interested in the property, but ssssh, it's a secret. City Manager Robert Schaumleffel Jr. wants to have an executive session dealing with "redevelopment" of the area.

Anyone who has read past columns knows I abhor executive sessions. I believe 99 percent are unnecessary. It reflects the fact that many public officials want to keep the public in the dark except when they are going for a tax increase. Open meetings may not always be best for public officials or public employees, but it’s good for the general public which pays the bills.

Do I want the golf course to be “redeveloped” into something besides a giant weed? Absolutely. But calling an executive session at will is the lazy way out and appears questionable under Ohio's Sunshine Law. Schaumleffel and maybe a couple of others could meet with the developer, work out details then bring the good news to the full council and public in an open forum.

Executive sessions may be called only for pending litigation, sale of public property and personnel, including union negotiations. None of these is relevant.

Now City Law Director Lori Lamer says if the city becomes involved in the project, the closed session is justified. Yes, and Lamer's boss wants an executive session. My guess is Lamer wants to keep her job, too, so naturally she thinks it is a fine idea.

Lamer thought it was fine and dandy when Schaumleffel demanded Kathryn Schwartz shut down her Web site about Conneaut, even though all she was doing was reposting information about the city and public officials. First Amendment rights? Who cares!

Ashtabula City Council recently held an executive session which was probably within its rights, to discuss personnel. But then, that legislative body enjoys closed-door sessions too.

Even though the city is $375,000 in the red, after meeting with personnel, it was announced there would be no more layoffs the rest of the year.

Afterward, City Manager Anthony Cantagallo said, "We will be looking at departments, except police and fire, and combine some of them without affecting the number of employees. All jobs will be maintained.”

I'm curious as to just how this will be attained. That's a big figure to be reduced without layoffs. The fact it was all done in 90 minutes behind closed doors isn't a good sign. Who knows what was promised to whom.

Most public officials run for office to do good. But we can't assume all of these secret meetings are for the overall good. That's why the press, as well as the public, must ask questions and be vigilant.

A few weeks ago, at a public meeting, Ashtabula Council Clerk LaVette E. Hennigan spoke out on why, during these lean economic times, she wants the city to buy her a health-club membership. When we accurately reported on this subject, she sent a blistering statement to both the Star Beacon and reportedly numerous others, calling us “pathetic.” She wondered why with all that was going on, we reported on her request in any detail.

I’m certain Hennigan, who said she puts in so many hours on the job which is why she deserves the perk, wrote her dissertation on her own time with her own materials. Right?

Consider if she asked for an executive session to make her plea. She might be working out at the public expense right now.

That public meeting on the golf course is Monday. Here's hoping good news comes from it all and the public is invited in to at least hear what is going on.

Sometimes after private meetings, information comes out that is inaccurate, distorted or is piecemeal.

That's why summer or not, it is best to always let the sunshine in.

Lebzelter is special sections editor. Read past columns at bobleb.blogspot.com.