Monday, August 25, 2014
State and Local Stories
The FOIA Council’s subcommittee on records meets today at 1:30 at the General Assembly Building in Richmond.
Who is YOUR open government hero in Virginia? VCOG is accepting nominations for its annual FOI awards for citizens, media and government. Go to our website to nominate someone today.
VCOG
Members of a newly formed regional transportation organization are moving forward with an option to operate independently of two existing transit groups inHampton Roads — a move some critics and voting members say seemed forced by state legislative factions on the board….The vote to structure the new transportation accountability commission was not posted on the group's public agenda, catching some board members and attendees by surprise. Megan Rhyne, executive director of the Virginia Coalition for Open Government, said while the commission did not violate any state meeting laws, the move could be potentially damaging as the group tries to engage the public about its goals and mission."
Daily Press
The U.S. Supreme Court has given its blessing to sectarian prayers, but moments of silence will continue to open meetings of the Amherst Town Council, at least for now. Prior to January 2014, members of clergy from churches in and around Amherst would deliver a short prayer invocation before the opening of town council meetings. The practice ceased in January when council meetings have been opened with moments of silence.
New Era-Progress
Charlottesville police are investigating the use of city money to pay a former electoral board member’s cellphone bill for more than three years after she left office, officials said Friday. The chairwoman of the city’s three-member electoral board handed over a copy of last month’s bill to city prosecutors Friday, more than four months after she said staff told Charlottesville City Manager Maurice Jones about the issue. “In hindsight, I probably should have delved a little deeper into the phone records at that point,” Jones wrote in response to a question asking why he did not approach Charlottesville Registrar Sheri Iachetta about the payments until the electoral board raised the issue this month.
Daily Progress
No cameras — still or video — are allowed in U.S. District Court where the corruption trial of former Gov. Bob McDonnell and his wife, Maureen McDonnell, enters its fifth week on Monday. But illustrators are allowed in the courtroom. Chris Kindred’s ink and watercolor sketch of the former governor on the witness stand gave Richmond Times-Dispatch readers their first glimpse inside the courtroom. Kindred, 22, is a senior at Virginia Commonwealth University. He’s an only child and the first artist in his family.
Times-Dispatch
The Virginia Department of State Police has refused to disclose the types of patrol rifles and other tactical weapons and vehicles it possesses in a decision criticized by civil liberty groups and open government advocates. The Rutherford Institute in Charlottesville, the American Civil Liberties Union of Virginia and the Virginia Coalition of Open Government questioned why state police would not release basic descriptions of their taxpayer-funded firearms stock and equipment.
Times-Dispatch
This year’s Isle of Wight County Fair will have the usual assortment of exhibits, music, rides and vendors. What it won’t have are places available for groups or individuals with political agendas, which have often had a presence at the annual festival. That doesn’t sit well with Del. Rick Morris (R-64), who has been refused a space. Last month he had requested a booth to both help raise money for CASA Southeast, as well as offer updates on legislation and information on issues in his district and the rest of Virginia. Morris added that he’d also be listening to visitors’ concerns. That plan was turned down by the Fair Committee, which is firm in its decision. “We’re pretty decided on not having political booths. That’s our stance,” said Danny Byrum, Fair chairman. “We’re about having family fun.” There are two parts, he added, that “drove us to that position. We got quite a few complaints from commercial vendors who said people were shying away from their booths to avoid the political guys who were hassling people in there.” Litter was the other reason. Morris sent letter on Aug. 14 to the Office of the Attorney General asking for an opinion about the policy that he maintains is “an infringement on Freedom of Speech and Assembly.”
Tidewater News
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