Burley Committee Attempt to Mislead Media

BURLEY, Idaho (AP) — The chairman of a committee charged with finalizing a deal on policing for the city of Burley and Cassia County has urged members to mislead the media on the agreement.

The Times-News reports the chairman of the policing committee, Bill Parsons, accidentally copied reporters on an email sent to committee members last week in preparation for a meeting. The email said, "If any newspaper is there we will say someone is not ready and then we can handle by email."

The committee has been expected to unveil final recommendations on a deal between the city and county over policing. State law prohibits committees from planning what's to be said in meetings before they are held. Parsons took responsibility for the email, saying he used a "poor choice of words."