WEATHERFORD —
I hope you’ve been able to read my columns all week long about what types of public records are available, how much they’ll cost you to obtain and how to get help in finding them.
On Sunday, I’m going to put out an impassioned plea for the public’s help as we gear up for another public records audit.
The Democrat did it last year prior to July Fourth weekend, using our reporters. We sent them out to various government entities and asked for budgets, salary lists, police records, appraisal records, jail records and court records. We evaluated each entity on how fast, efficiently and nicely they were able to get us the records.
It’s time to do it again, only with real people.
The organizers of the Freedom of Information seminar I attended last Thursday not only encouraged an audit, but also encouraged newsrooms to pick a day each week to figure out what public records they wanted and needed to obtain.
I encourage you to do the same.
I realize it’s harder for a private resident to take time after work or whenever you can sandwich it in between carting the kids around to this or that place, however, we all have to work out the “public information” muscle to ensure our government officials don’t get complacent and lax in thinking they aren’t accountable to us.
To that end, there are some “down” sides. That is, not everything you want is a public record. Government produced records are assumed to be open unless they are specifically exempt.
There are 50 exemptions.
I thought about naming them, but, in typical government fashion, they are not only named, but many have addendums to clarify them. For example, negotiations of litigation between a city and the entity that is suing the city are not public record. But, once those issues are resolved, you can usually obtain the information through the city or court (say, if the city had to pay someone money — you can find that in their budget).
You can look online to find the Texas Public Information Law. It’s statute 552.
Subheads 552.101 to 552.151 outline all the items that are specifically NOT public record — and in what instances they are not public record.
Sometimes, however, the Attorney General’s office has ruled that although something is not specifically noted in the exemptions, it still may not be obtained. That doesn’t mean all records that are similar are forever banned, but it does mean you may have to be a junior lawyer and figure out how to argue that the record you’re trying to obtain should still be open.
Some of these exceptions are very general, too. For example, law enforcement can exempt information that may harm an investigation or make crime prevention difficult.
While law enforcement may argue that ANY information on a specific case could harm the investigation, those trying to obtain public records may argue that certain parts of that case can and should be released.
Wouldn’t you like to know if you live next door to someone whose child had accused him of sexual abuse? What if your child had gone over there for sleep overs? Would you like to know if you should ask your child if they’d ever had anything suspicious happen at that house?
Oh, I’m sorry, that information is part of a private matter that may ruin an investigation — or so we, here at the Democrat, have been told.
This is one reason we’ve started to up our dedication to public records.
We have to hold ourselves accountable for libel. We aren’t going to print anything that isn’t true. We aren’t in the business of being yet another salacious media organization.
But, when it comes to public records, we are dedicated to doing whatever it takes to make government open, honest and accountable.
I hope, you too, will join us in that fight.
— Margarita Venegas
Columns
Wrapping up records
- Columns
-
- Keeping Your Money Safe over the Phone
- Veteran's Corner
- Millsap Matters: Long time Millsap ISD educator retires
-
Now Hear This
While I’m really not qualified to be referred to as “elderly,” I’m certainly no “spring chicken.” In thinking back over the sixty plus years that I can actually recall from a teenager or adult perspective, it is startling to note the changes I’ve seen in both our nation and Parker County.
-
David Shribman: As World War II veterans depart
One was the first black person elected to the Senate since Reconstruction. One was a groundbreaking voice for civil rights, another for the environment. One attached his name to a signature tax-cutting measure. One has his picture on the 50-cent piece, another on the $10,000 U.S. Savings Bond, and three are pictured on postage stamps. Eighteen ran for president, and three served in the White House.
-
THE IDLE AMERICAN: To Be or Not To Be?
When push came to shove during the Great Depression, the masses were unable to shove back. Instead, they relied on creativity to “make do.” Thanks to patterned sacks containing livestock feed--as well as kitchen flour--many wardrobes depended greatly on foot-powered Singer sewing machines. Mostly, women turned out the “make do” garments willingly worn by adults and children alike.
-
Rev. Lou Tiscione: Character: What is it and can it be seen?
Character is the word used to describe the personal qualities of an individual. The qualities in view concern a person’s morals and ethics.
-
Taste never takes a vacation
Why do so many people think that the arrival of summer means it’s time to pack away all the clothes that actually fit them? That it’s time to reveal their out-of-shape bodies by wearing Speedos and tube tops? Noel Coward used to ask, “Why do all the wrong people travel?” Now, I’m pretty sure he would ask, “Why do all the wrong people wear skimpy clothes?”
-
Warren misses the mark on education debt problem
College graduates facing a crushing debt – some more than $100,000 – is a very big and a very real problem.
- The question that must be asked: Can America be saved?
- More Columns Headlines
RAW: NSA Director Says 50 Plots Foiled
Boeing, Airbus Battle for Sales Supremacy
NYC 911 Call Lasts for 8 Hours
Obama: US Has Helped Syrian Rebels
Afghan Forces Take Afghanistan Security Lead
Raw: 100K Protesters Flood Brazilian Streets
California Cops Cruise on Stand-up Paddle Patrol
Transgender Candidate Running in NYC
Obama: NSA Secret Data Gathering 'Transparent'
Man Who Disrupted Flight Ranted About CIA
Feds: 7-Eleven Stores Exploited Immigrants
Fla. Teen Catches Ride With Whale Shark
Iran's Rowhani Urges 'Path of Moderation'
Investigators Probe Origin of Colo. Wildfire
Ex-NFL Star Chad Johnson Out of Jail
Family Tweets Say Kim Kardashian Gives Birth
