Dantis investigation to be kept secret.

When I read that the investigation into corruption under Deputy County Manager John Dantis was going to be conducted by "a private law firm" and not by some firm that specializes in investigations, the first thought that popped into my mind was, it was a dodge that would provide an excuse to hide the report from the public; it would be called "work product" or some such, and therefore enjoy some "legal" exception from the New Mexico Inspection of Public Records Act. OK, color me cynical.

Sure enough, the Journal reports this morning, link, that

"(County Manager Thaddeus) Lucero would not provide a copy of the law firm's report but said he plans to release the findings and detail disciplinary actions against MATS supervisors later this week." (emphasis added)

Once again, the details of the public service of public servanta are secret from the public.

It is time re-examine the issue of transparency in government.

There is no government of the people, by the people, and for the people, that is also secret from the people.

The Government Restructuring Task Force, link, will be forming a transparency subcommittee at their next meeting, July 29, 2010. Perhaps if a few people show some interest, we can end

government; secret from the people.