An open government champion from our area is being recognized for his work.

State Rep. Bruce Chandler, R-Granger, will receive an award from the Washington Coalition for Open Government next month.

The ranking minority member of the House State Government and Tribal Affairs Committee spoke out in favor of a bill to require the taping of executive sessions when the measure appeared dead, according to a coalition awards announcement.

The bill ultimately failed.

Chandler, who is seeking re-election to his 15th District House seat, will receive a framed certificate and a lapel pin at an awards breakfast Sept. 19 in Seattle.

Chandler is among three elected officials, three citizens and two organizations to receive the award. The other honorees include: David Koenig of Federal Way; Olympia Port Commissioner Paul Telford; Greg Hansen, Grant County Public Utilities District Commissioner; Charlie Burrow of Kitsap Citizens for Responsible Planning; James Neff, investigations editor for The Seattle Times; Concerned Citizens in Action of Washougal; and Allied Law Group of Seattle.

The Washington Coalition for Open Government is a nonpartisan, nonprofit group working to preserve and strengthen the state's open meetings and public records laws and regulations.