Roanoke Times: Do-it-yourself Sunshine
http://www.roanoke.com/editorials/wb/197697
Do-it-yourself sunshine
Virginia's Freedom of Information Act is not just a tool for journalists. Any citizen can use it. Here's how.
If you really want to celebrate Sunshine Week's promotion of open government, exercise your right to ask your government for information.
Find out how much your city council members are spending on official meals and travel. (Roanoke council members are spending considerably less since a Roanoke Times Freedom of Information Act request uncovered questionable expenses by one council member last year.)
See what council members or supervisors are saying to each other in e-mail exchanges, or get the budget for a specific department.
As a citizen, you have a right to this information, and the Freedom of Information Act can help you get it.
Average Americans file the overwhelming majority of FOIA requests, not journalists.
To help you out, we've put together a fill-in-the-blank FOIA request below (you can also go to the Virginia Coalition for Open Government's Web site to generate a FOIA request: www.opengovva.org.
A couple of things to keep in mind: You don't have to submit a request in writing. A phone call will do, and may even get better response than a formal request. Be as specific as possible about the record you want, and don't hesitate to follow up a written request with a phone call to explain what you're looking for.
Also, remember that the law allows public agencies to charge reasonable fees for duplication and staff time for assembling documentation. You can request digital copies to keep costs down. Let us know what interesting things you discover.
-- -- --
Dear Custodian of Records for :
(name of agency or locality)
I am making a request under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (§2.2-3700, et seq.).
I would like copies of the following records:
(be as specific as possible)
Pursuant to the Act, I request that within five working days you (a) provide me with all the records I request; (b) if the records are exempt from disclosure, identify which records are going to be withheld pursuant to which specific Code provision; or (c) if the records will be provided in part, identify which records are being withheld pursuant to which specific Code provision, and release the remaining, nonexempt records to me.
If it is not practically possible to provide the records within five working days, please notify me that you will need an additional seven working days, as provided in the Act.
As provided by FOIA, please provide an estimate of the costs of meeting my request before undertaking the task. Also, an acknowledgement of receipt of this request would be appreciated.
If you have questions concerning my request, please contact me at the number or e-mail address below so that we can work something out.
I look forward to your response.
Sincerely,
(name)
(street address)
(city, state, zip code)
(daytime phone number) (e-mail address)
Do-it-yourself sunshine
Virginia's Freedom of Information Act is not just a tool for journalists. Any citizen can use it. Here's how.
If you really want to celebrate Sunshine Week's promotion of open government, exercise your right to ask your government for information.
Find out how much your city council members are spending on official meals and travel. (Roanoke council members are spending considerably less since a Roanoke Times Freedom of Information Act request uncovered questionable expenses by one council member last year.)
See what council members or supervisors are saying to each other in e-mail exchanges, or get the budget for a specific department.
As a citizen, you have a right to this information, and the Freedom of Information Act can help you get it.
Average Americans file the overwhelming majority of FOIA requests, not journalists.
To help you out, we've put together a fill-in-the-blank FOIA request below (you can also go to the Virginia Coalition for Open Government's Web site to generate a FOIA request: www.opengovva.org.
A couple of things to keep in mind: You don't have to submit a request in writing. A phone call will do, and may even get better response than a formal request. Be as specific as possible about the record you want, and don't hesitate to follow up a written request with a phone call to explain what you're looking for.
Also, remember that the law allows public agencies to charge reasonable fees for duplication and staff time for assembling documentation. You can request digital copies to keep costs down. Let us know what interesting things you discover.
-- -- --
Dear Custodian of Records for :
(name of agency or locality)
I am making a request under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (§2.2-3700, et seq.).
I would like copies of the following records:
(be as specific as possible)
Pursuant to the Act, I request that within five working days you (a) provide me with all the records I request; (b) if the records are exempt from disclosure, identify which records are going to be withheld pursuant to which specific Code provision; or (c) if the records will be provided in part, identify which records are being withheld pursuant to which specific Code provision, and release the remaining, nonexempt records to me.
If it is not practically possible to provide the records within five working days, please notify me that you will need an additional seven working days, as provided in the Act.
As provided by FOIA, please provide an estimate of the costs of meeting my request before undertaking the task. Also, an acknowledgement of receipt of this request would be appreciated.
If you have questions concerning my request, please contact me at the number or e-mail address below so that we can work something out.
I look forward to your response.
Sincerely,
(name)
(street address)
(city, state, zip code)
(daytime phone number) (e-mail address)
