Martin O'Shea died this week. A self-proclaimed curmudgeon, Martin dedicated the last years of his life to keep government honest and open. He attended municipal meetings like some people attend hockey games, but refused to be called a "gadfly." His only agenda was to make sure local government obeyed its own laws. The Sunshine Law, known formally as the Open Public Meetings Act, and the Open Public Records Act, were so important to Martin that he spent hours and hours of his time and much of his own money to keep municipal governing bodies following them. Martin filed lawsuits when necessary. He wrote letters, spoke at meetings and occasionally chased council persons toward their back rooms demanding they continue to meet in public. Many people paid attention to what he did, but many others did not. Some of those who did not benefited greatly from his actions. Sometimes they realized that and sometimes they didn't. It didn't matter to Martin. He was working for the people whether they knew it or not and whether they liked it or not. Martin didn't play well with others, but those of us who called or emailed him frequently have lost a true friend.
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