News Leader: FOIA's boring until you need it
Article published Mar 16, 2008
Bring on the Sunshine
Our View
One of the most frustrating aspects of fighting for more open government is the topic's lack of sex appeal.
It's simply boring. To most people, it simply doesn't matter.
That is, until you need something, until the fact that Virginia's Freedom of Information law shields the facts that are important to you.
This year's General Assembly has been extraordinarily snarled in minutia, what little was accomplished didn't seem to matter and what wasn't done in many cases didn't draw a lot of interest. Early on, in fact, members of the House voted to continue with subcommittee votes -- without recording the votes. Did a bill of interest to you die in committee? If so, you'll have no idea who voted how.
But again, it's only important when it is a bill you feel passionately about. That's why the issue is important to you, even when it seems boring. You never know when those topics will be raised.
It wasn't so long ago that the Augusta County Board of Supervisors heard from residents that seeking information on making significant changes in the type of industry desired for the county should be decisions made in public. The mega industry that county officials quietly examined, didn't happen, but it was an exhaustive and expensive lesson for the supervisors to learn. A resident's interest led to the Freedom of Information Act request, shedding precious light on the shady process.
Fortunately, that citizen's knowledge of open government spurred the widespread and publicly welcomed examination of the facts.
That was a topic with great appeal.
Today begins what's known as Sunshine Week in the realm of open government. This newspaper and just about every news outlet, commemorates this week by talking open government and shedding light on the importance of it.
We want to know what you would like to see from your local governments. We want to know what questions you have.
In large part, our local governments understand and respect open lines of communication with their constituents.
This week we celebrate that -- and hope that the lines become even clearer this year -- and that we all operate in the light.
Bring on the Sunshine
Our View
One of the most frustrating aspects of fighting for more open government is the topic's lack of sex appeal.
It's simply boring. To most people, it simply doesn't matter.
That is, until you need something, until the fact that Virginia's Freedom of Information law shields the facts that are important to you.
This year's General Assembly has been extraordinarily snarled in minutia, what little was accomplished didn't seem to matter and what wasn't done in many cases didn't draw a lot of interest. Early on, in fact, members of the House voted to continue with subcommittee votes -- without recording the votes. Did a bill of interest to you die in committee? If so, you'll have no idea who voted how.
But again, it's only important when it is a bill you feel passionately about. That's why the issue is important to you, even when it seems boring. You never know when those topics will be raised.
It wasn't so long ago that the Augusta County Board of Supervisors heard from residents that seeking information on making significant changes in the type of industry desired for the county should be decisions made in public. The mega industry that county officials quietly examined, didn't happen, but it was an exhaustive and expensive lesson for the supervisors to learn. A resident's interest led to the Freedom of Information Act request, shedding precious light on the shady process.
Fortunately, that citizen's knowledge of open government spurred the widespread and publicly welcomed examination of the facts.
That was a topic with great appeal.
Today begins what's known as Sunshine Week in the realm of open government. This newspaper and just about every news outlet, commemorates this week by talking open government and shedding light on the importance of it.
We want to know what you would like to see from your local governments. We want to know what questions you have.
In large part, our local governments understand and respect open lines of communication with their constituents.
This week we celebrate that -- and hope that the lines become even clearer this year -- and that we all operate in the light.
