Editor,
1. From my point of view, the issue of the county’s recent settlement with the Freedom Foundation over a records violation is not much ado about nothing. It is an important matter. We know that public access to government is a very important part of our freedom. As always, the taxpayers must pay for the government we demand. We also need to be well informed about the quality of the character of the people who represent us in government. Responsiveness to public inquiries is evidence of the character of our government officials, as well as the character of the requesters.
2. The difficulties are that government officials, both elected and appointed, may not like admitting mistakes. Elected officials and appointed staff are human, we all make mistakes. The public will excuse a few minor mistakes if the mistakes are acknowledged promptly, and if there is not a pattern of mistakes. We will not excuse covering up problems. I trust Commissioner Rick Hannold’s explanation about this matter.
3. There is another element relating to public information requests — understanding what can happen when someone makes a poorly thought out request, especially if it’s made with less than honorable motives. i.e. intended monkey-wrenching government.
4. Our county and state governments clearly understand the consequences of failing to respond in a timely manner to records requests — fines and loss of public confidence in government. Our county government also has the experiences of significant interruption of routine work when assembling requested information, and the frustration of requesters failing to pick up the information they asked for.
5. Civic responsibility cuts both ways between citizens and government officials. Citizens want information to be on the record, and to be able to review the complete record. If the record is available, and withheld or obscured, public dissatisfaction is justified. Frivolous information requests waste everyone’s time and government efficiency (taxpayers’ money).
6. It is easy enough for interested citizens to make personal contact with the government to explain concerns, and what information is wanted. It is also easy enough to try to deflect public inquires to avoid providing relevant, but embarrassing, information. Talking with the responsible government official(s) helps to refine or eliminate “shotgun” records requests before the mandated clock starts ticking. Talking with the responsible government official(s) also provides the opportunity to make ‘eye-to-eye’ evaluations of trustworthiness, both ways.
RUFUS ROSE
Clinton
