At the April 17 Patterson City Council meeting, a report was given regarding the latest meetings of the Crows Landing Air Facility ad hoc committee, attended by Councilwoman Annette Smith on behalf of Mayor Becky Campo. I was concerned to hear that developer Gerry Kamilos had asked for a closed-door policy for negotiations. I believe no minutes of these meetings have been kept.

This is opposite what the county has promised residents. The Crows Landing facility is owned by the county; it is not the private property of the Kamilos group.

I wonder what is being kept from the public, and why. Eliminating the public's right to know and to participate in this important process by denying them access to documents and discussions would seem to be an attempt to thwart the California Public Records Act. It is unforgivable.

The public should not have to wait until it's a done deal to learn of the fate of this project. I urge the county to reconsider this unhealthy and unacceptable approach.

SANDRA McDOWELL

Patterson