AP-FL--Sunshine Award
2 cities win Fla. open gov't award
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TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) - Two Florida cities have won an open government award for passing local laws that ensure people's ability to speak at city meetings.

The Lake Helen and Sanford city commissions received the Pete Weitzel/Friend of the First Amendment Award on Tuesday at a luncheon given by the First Amendment Foundation.

Foundation president Barbara Petersen explained that the cities passed their own "right-to-speak" laws when similar ones died in the state Legislature.

Lake Helen is a small city in Volusia County. Sanford is the county seat of Seminole County.

Also announced at the luncheon was the naming of attorney and former journalist Patsy Palmer to the foundation's board. Palmer practices law in Tallahassee with husband Sandy D'Alemberte. He is a former state lawmaker and Florida State University president.

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1/17/2012 1:49:43 PM (GMT -5:00)