SAINT JOHN, N.B – Shirley McAlary believes closed door budget talks should only happen under certain circumstances.

The councilor at-large and former Saint John mayor is speaking out against City Manager Pat Wood’s call for “frank and candid” closed door discussions regarding the 2013 budget.

McAlary says open budget meetings are more productive as the public knows how their money is being spent. “Then the public are not taken by surprise when we discuss the issues in open and if we have a problem with funding then they’ll know from the very beginning.”

She feels it’s important for the budget to be finished by the end of December, so council can start fresh in the new year.