The goal is to use this blog to supplement the chapter Web site communicate effectively and regularly with you and other journalists who are not yet members of the society. We also want to hear from you.
This is a chance to talk back. Give us your feedback, your ideas, tell us your needs or share a story you're proud of or an issue you're having on the job.
As always, you can contact me at bpsears@gmail.com .
Now, onto something more interesting.
Those of you who know me are aware that I am very interested in issues involving access to government — specifically the Maryland Public Information Act and the Open Meeting Act.
Here's an interesting note from Sarah Breitenbach, Maryland Pro vice president and education reporter (and former state house reporter) for the Frederick News-Post.
Seems the Frederick County School Board is a little slow when it comes to fessing up on how much it spends to feed its school board.
It's a budget item. It's clearly a matter of public record.
And clearly the board is intent on delaying the release of the information. Just asking a reporter to file the request is proof. The Act covers the request of documents but does not cover getting answers to a question.
There is a difference between asking a question and wanting a document such as an invoice.
Breitenbach initially asked an employee for the total spent so far this year.
"It was for a notebook item," Breitenbach said. "It really was supposed to be a sentence which is why I thought I'd just call."
Her request ended up asking for a couple of years worth of figures but still just totals. This is something the school system's chief budget officer could have handled by calling the budget people and getting an answer.
It's certain to be in a computer somewhere even if they had to isolate it from a larger fund.
As an aside, it should be noted that had invoices been requested the Attorney General's Handbook on the Public Information Act recommends that government employees immediately turn over documents that are known to be public record.
— Bryan P. Sears
chapter president
chapter president
1 comment:
It is amazing how many local agencies think what they do (with taxpayers' money) is none of our business.
When I started as a reporter in St. Mary's County way back, I was told that the marriage licenses and birth certificates were "none of our business." It took the chief judge of the circuit to disabuse the court clerks of that opinion.
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