Transparency News 10/2/13

 

Wednesday, October 2, 2013


State and Local Stories

 

City Council members will ultimately decide who will wield the mayor's gavel once Molly Joseph Ward's resignation becomes effective Friday. It's a process the city's elected leadership has performed repeatedly in recent years — Ward is the third mayor to resign mid-term in the past two decades. "Historically, every council has done things a little different," Councilman Will Moffett said. "It's up to the pleasure of the council, as long as it's within the open meetings law. But I'm sure we're hoping to move forward rather quickly."
Daily Press

Culpeper County supervisors voted Tuesday to file a complaint with the Virginia Bar Association against Commonwealth’s Attorney Megan Frederick over an email in which she called a majority of them corrupt.  The motion, which carried 5-2, also directs County Attorney Sandra Robinson to send Frederick a letter asking that she retract her statement within five days. “I’ve been called all kinds of things—incompetent, stupid, conservative—and I don’t mind,” said Supervisor Steve Walker. “Being called corrupt does bother me.”
Free Lance-Star

Virginia Democrats have filed a federal lawsuit against Republican Gov. Bob McDonnell, Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli and the state elections board, claiming tens of thousands of voters are at risk of being wrongly purged from voter rolls ahead of the state's gubernatorial election. The lawsuit was filed Tuesday in federal court in Alexandria.
Virginian-Pilot

The Christiansburg Town Council returned Tuesday to the question of how to fill an expected vacancy and was told by an attorney that voters will make the final decision. After last month’s meeting, some council members expressed outrage that Mayor Richard Ballengee, who is not running for re-election in November, was putting his name forward for an appointment to the council. Council members said the town needed to have a more public process for selecting whoever would fill Barber’s term and said the town needed to continue turning away from a history of closed-door decision-making. On Tuesday, attorney Elizabeth Dillon, a member of the firm that provides legal advice to Christiansburg’s council, explained that the confusion over how to fill a vacancy stemmed from a change to state law in 2010. Before that, the town’s charter set out a process in which the council had 60 days to appoint someone to serve out the remainder of a term. That was what the council did in 2007, the last time it had a vacancy — although the closed meetings that preceded that appointment led to complaints about the lack of public involvement.
Roanoke Times

Concerns over free speech spurred Town Council to reject Warren County's offer to share taxes from the U.S. 340-522 corridor. Warren County officials took a proposed revenue-sharing agreement off the Board of Supervisors meeting agenda Tuesday. Mayor Timothy Darr had relayed to the county that council rejected the offer at its work session Monday. Councilman Bret Hrbek noted by email Tuesday his support for part of the proposed agreement. "I am very happy that the town and county have reached a consensus that a 50% revenue sharing of the meals tax in the corridor is fair and reasonable," Hrbek stated. "My concern with the correct proposal is 1) I think there are some serious First Amendment issues in regard to not permitting council members from speaking about annexation and 2) it is not binding on future Boards of Supervisors.
Northern Virginia Daily

The Northern Virginia Transportation Authority passed a significant legal milestone Tuesday, when a Fairfax County Circuit Court judge ruled against a legal challenge by one of its most persistent critics, Del. Bob Marshall (R-Prince William). Chief Judge Dennis J. Smith ruled for the authority in a so-called bond validation suit, in which the body essentially sues itself to force the hand of potential legal opponents. Marshall launched his challenge in August, saying the authority had violated the law. He also challenged its constitutionality.
Washington Post

National Stories

The Connecticut Board of Pardons and Paroles said Monday it would not appeal a ruling by the Freedom of Information Commission ordering the board to hold meetings in public. The board had come under criticism for holding two meetings last year behind closed doors. Following a complaint by the Journal Inquirer newspaper of Manchester, the FOIC ruled that the board had violated state law by holding the meetings in private.
New Haven Register

Editorials/Columns

Roanoke Times: As gubernatorial candidates Ken Cuccinelli and Terry McAuliffe competed to see who could come up with the most inane email accusing the other of plotting to shut down the government, Lt. Gov. Bolling rolled out a set of policy proposals Monday worthy of a serious candidate to lead the commonwealth. Bolling advocated for allowing future governors to serve two consecutive terms — if voters feel an incumbent deserves a sequel. The Republican also reiterated his support for creation of a bipartisan commission to draw legislative and congressional districts. He proposed giving a similar commission the task of vetting judges to ensure they are chosen based on merit. And he called for a full review of exemptions to the Freedom of Information Act with the goal of maximizing open and transparent government.

Dick Hammerstrom, Free Lance-Star: Virginia Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling may be in his final days in office but on his way out he’s published a list of reforms he believes would be good for Virginia government. Among those is the state’s Freedom of Information Act and the vast number of exemptions included in the code section.Bolling’s right about the addition of exemptions. Each year, more bills are introduced that reduce access to records and meetings that the taxpayers are actually funding. It’s rare that any bills are filed to open government. A serious look at the proliferation of FOIA exemptions is long overdue.

News Leader: Bolling really goes after our journalistic hearts by proposing a review of how the state grants exemptions to the Freedom of Information Act. He and we believe that the General Assembly has weakened the state FOIA and that citizens should have better access to supposedly public information. Many of these proposals are common sense. We used to employ that in government. Bolling reminds us we still can and indeed should.

Daily Progress: Long-term justice for the individual: Elizabeth Daly should have her arrest record expunged. Long-term justice for the commonwealth: The Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control should release the findings of the state police review it requested following public outcry over Ms. Daly's case.

Virginia Gazette: The Virginia Gazette has been interviewing candidates for November's James City County Board of Supervisors election, and it was a relief to see civility arise as a recurring theme. Heavens knows there's been too little of it in county affairs over the past few years – whether between the supervisors, citizens speaking to the supervisors at public meetings, or some interactions between county staff and citizens. It's a sad commentary on our modern times that the issue even needs to arise. Civility among public officials should be common sense, not campaign rhetoric.