Tuesday, September 21, 2010

T or C rejects e-mail records requests

Truth or Consequences City Commissioners voted to reject requests for public records which were submitted via email.

That's all good, except that a state law was passed last year, specifically addressing the issue of email requests, and makes them good as gold.

The guy that taxpayers pay to advise the Commission on legal matters, T or C's City Attorney Jay Rubin, was "unaware" of the new law.

The Commission apparently intends to "revisit" "inconsistencies" Tuesday next.

The Journal Reporter Rene Romo,wrote link;

"Rubin said he believed the rule change was adopted out of concern that some e-mailed requests might be lost in transmission. (He apparently offered no scientific explanation for the wayward electrons.)

But TorC resident Brad Grower, who, like several other local gadflies, has filed a variety of public records requests with the city in recent years, said he believed the measure was aimed at making it more difficult for residents to obtain public records ... (and) was "guaranteed to discourage the pursuit of information regarding actions taken by local city government." (emphasis added)

I have written to Romo and asked for an explanation of the use of a pejorative term like "gadflies" to describe folks who have filed a "variety of public records in recent years".

Update; Rene Romo has responded to the email in which I asked about the use of a pejorative term; "gadflies", of which, I am one.
"Ched: Not at all. I say, sincerely, that I consider gadflies to be a critical part of any well-functioning community or society, since they are usually the ones asking pointed questions, taking a closer look at otherwise seemingly mundane issues that could reveal serious problems ..."
I feel better now.

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