Transparency News, 5/26/2022
Thursday
May 26, 2022
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state & local news stories
I'll be in Henrico today, joining the chair of the Henrico Board of Supervisors and VCOG board member Pat O'Bannon for two town hall presentations on FOIA.
Have VCOG speak to your constituents, civic group, newsroom or public body about the ins and outs of FOIA and the importance of an open and transparent government.
vcog@opengovva.org
On April 28, CBS 6 submitted a request for records under the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA) to obtain emails containing "Monument Avenue" from 12 VMFA leaders over a five-month period. On May 4, a VMFA FOIA Officer responded that the expenses to fulfill this request would total about $1,100. CBS 6 revised the request on May 5 to only include emails sent from VMFA Director, Alex Nyerges, between 10/1/21 and 5/5/22 containing the words "Monument Avenue," "Monument Ave" and "Reimagine Monument Avenue." Additionally, CBS 6 asked for correspondence between the VMFA and the governor's administration between 11/1/21 and 1/15/22. The same day, the VMFA told CBS 6 that the request will exceed $200, and it would need 12 business days to determine how many documents are involved and an estimated cost. On May 23, VMFA's FOIA Officer said the updated request would cost CBS 6 approximately $28,054. Megan Rhyne, Executive Director of Virginia Coalition for Open Government, called the VMFA's cost estimate jumping from more than $200 to $28,000 "pretty startling," and said the whole exchange needed a conversation by phone or in-person.
WTVR
Two employees of a Richmond-area radio station took out restraining orders against Sen. Joe Morrissey, D-Richmond, claiming the lawmaker’s angry outburst earlier this month over a producer’s comment about his abortion stance left them fearing for their safety. An Alexandria General District Court judge, apparently filling in for Richmond judges who avoided an issue involving a local lawmaker, approved the two preliminary protective orders on May 20, instructing Morrissey to stay at least 100 feet away from the two men “at all times.” A hearing in the case is scheduled to take place next week. In a court affidavit, one of the employees, David Pascoe, wrote that Morrissey “lashed out at me on and off air for ‘undermining’ him for seeking clarification.” The restraining orders could prove complicated, because the radio venture operates out of the same small South Richmond building where Morrissey has his district office.
Virginia Mercury
Less than 24 hours after abruptly firing its city manager, the Portsmouth City Council is already preparing to appoint someone to replace Angel Jones. The council has called a special meeting for Tuesday for the appointment of a new city manager. An email obtained by The Virginian-Pilot shows council member Mark Whitaker called the meeting with the consent of the three others who voted to oust Jones — Vice Mayor De’Andre Barnes along with council members Paul Battle and Chris Woodard.
The Virginian-Pilot
