Transparency News, 8/6/21
Friday
August 6, 2021
August 6, 2021
state & local news stories
The amended budget state lawmakers are finalizing in a special session includes broad language that would allow many state boards and commissions to meet electronically for the next 11 months even though Virginia is no longer under a state of emergency. While that's convenient for lawmakers who don't want to drive to Richmond for a meeting, the proposal should have been vetted by the state's Freedom of Information Advisory Council, said Megan Rhyne, executive director of the Virginia Coalition for Open Government.
Richmond Times-Dispatch
Loudoun County School Board meetings will look a bit different this year, as no spectators will be allowed in the room for public comment. The policy change comes in response to the chaotic June 22 board meeting that resulted in the unruly public being cleared from the boardroom. The district’s new policies—to be in effect for the board’s Aug. 10 meeting and “and for the foreseeable future”—only permit members of the public who are registered to deliver public comment to enter the board room. Speakers will enter the boardroom in groups of 10. Lines of speakers will form in groups of 10 prior to being admitted to the boardroom. Media members are also required to request credentials in advance of the meeting.
LoudounNow
Michael Koceja enjoyed plenty of perks during the years he worked as second in command to former Norfolk Sheriff Bob McCabe. Like a trip on a private jet he said he and the sheriff took to Nashville, where they met country music singer-songwriter Ronnie Dunn and posed for pictures with him after his concert. Or the time they were chauffeured in a limousine to a Washington Redskins football game and watched from the 50-yard line. Both events, and many others like them, were all thanks to Gerard “Jerry” Boyle, the owner of Correct Care Solutions, a now-defunct Nashville-based company that had long provided medical services to the Norfolk city jail. But there were concerning parts to the job, too, Koceja told jurors during testimony this week in U.S. District Court in Norfolk. Like when an executive with Correct Care Solutions called and asked Koceja for inside information about the bidding for a contract.
The Virginian-Pilot
The Town of Eastville has come under scrutiny for the level of police service that citizens are receiving in return for the police officer wages funded by taxpayers, as well as other administrative and financial questions. During the public comment period of the Aug. 2 Eastville Town Council meeting, concerned citizen Stuart Oliver shared salary information on two town employees, Police Chief David Eder and Major Rob Stubbs, which he obtained from town staff via FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) request. Oliver also pointed out the possible conflict of interest created by Eder serving both as Eastville’s police chief and town administrator. “This is obviously a troubling scenario with obvious opportunities for corruption,” Oliver said. He scrutinized the town’s response to his FOIA requests, noting that he had to submit an additional request since the first response did not contain the specific information he had requested. Oliver had asked to be notified if the cost to fulfill the FOIA request would exceed $100; however, he was not informed that the cost was nearly double until he received the data he requested. Oliver concluded by saying, “I’ll be glad to address other abuses at the next meeting. You will be pleased to know that you are my new hobby.”
Eastern Shore Post
Richmond Times-Dispatch
Loudoun County School Board meetings will look a bit different this year, as no spectators will be allowed in the room for public comment. The policy change comes in response to the chaotic June 22 board meeting that resulted in the unruly public being cleared from the boardroom. The district’s new policies—to be in effect for the board’s Aug. 10 meeting and “and for the foreseeable future”—only permit members of the public who are registered to deliver public comment to enter the board room. Speakers will enter the boardroom in groups of 10. Lines of speakers will form in groups of 10 prior to being admitted to the boardroom. Media members are also required to request credentials in advance of the meeting.
LoudounNow
Michael Koceja enjoyed plenty of perks during the years he worked as second in command to former Norfolk Sheriff Bob McCabe. Like a trip on a private jet he said he and the sheriff took to Nashville, where they met country music singer-songwriter Ronnie Dunn and posed for pictures with him after his concert. Or the time they were chauffeured in a limousine to a Washington Redskins football game and watched from the 50-yard line. Both events, and many others like them, were all thanks to Gerard “Jerry” Boyle, the owner of Correct Care Solutions, a now-defunct Nashville-based company that had long provided medical services to the Norfolk city jail. But there were concerning parts to the job, too, Koceja told jurors during testimony this week in U.S. District Court in Norfolk. Like when an executive with Correct Care Solutions called and asked Koceja for inside information about the bidding for a contract.
The Virginian-Pilot
The Town of Eastville has come under scrutiny for the level of police service that citizens are receiving in return for the police officer wages funded by taxpayers, as well as other administrative and financial questions. During the public comment period of the Aug. 2 Eastville Town Council meeting, concerned citizen Stuart Oliver shared salary information on two town employees, Police Chief David Eder and Major Rob Stubbs, which he obtained from town staff via FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) request. Oliver also pointed out the possible conflict of interest created by Eder serving both as Eastville’s police chief and town administrator. “This is obviously a troubling scenario with obvious opportunities for corruption,” Oliver said. He scrutinized the town’s response to his FOIA requests, noting that he had to submit an additional request since the first response did not contain the specific information he had requested. Oliver had asked to be notified if the cost to fulfill the FOIA request would exceed $100; however, he was not informed that the cost was nearly double until he received the data he requested. Oliver concluded by saying, “I’ll be glad to address other abuses at the next meeting. You will be pleased to know that you are my new hobby.”
Eastern Shore Post
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