passopenrecords.org

This welcome note arrived last week from State Rep. John Bear, Republican of Lancaster County.

To whom it may concern,

Please add me to your list of PA lawmakers who support this effort.
Take care,

John
___________________________________________________________________________
A couple of weeks ago we posted a story from Glenn Smith about his efforts to get PennDOT to put 4-way stop signs at the dangerous intersection of State Roads 533 and 433 in Orrstown. “This process of study, appeals, and review of this simple request,” Smith wrote, took more than a year to complete. We still do not have a 4-Way stop sign. . . . despite the fact that the borough still believes that a 4-Way stop is necessary for the safety of its citizens.

“The BIG QUESTION in this case is: Why is the recorded number of vehicles that pass through a particular intersection, OR the recorded number of crashes at that intersection, OR the factual observed sight distance through the intersection, A STATE SECRET?”

“That’s insane,” commented Leslie Graves on Smith’s report. “It’s important all around for citizens to be able to maintain a modicum of trust in their government – a sense of shared commitment.

‘Is it just me, or is it impossible to foster that sense when obviously good guys like Glenn can’t even get this very basic information?”

It isn’t just Leslie, but obviously it isn’t everyone. Read on.

Last week the Wilkes Barre Times Leaderpublished an editorial on open records in support of a bill drafted by Sen. Dominic Pileggi of Delaware and Chester counties:

“IT MAY SOON be much easier to find out how a big chunk of our tax dollars is being spent.

“This week the state Senate approved a bill that would list names, job titles and salaries of employees of the state’s three government branches and local government agencies on the Internet, The Associated Press reported.

“Sponsored by the Senate’s Republican leader, Dominic Pileggi of Delaware County, the bill would require counties, municipalities, school districts, authorities, commissions and other government agencies to do the same.

“This bill is sorely needed. Pennsylvania is notoriously difficult about releasing information. The Better Government Association watchdog group has ranked the state’s freedom of information as nearly the worst in the nation, with only Alabama and South Dakota scoring lower.”

The editorial writer then asked: “Not sure why this issue is important to you? This list from the Web site (this one) about how our current, puny open-records law impacts you should help:”

• It means government officials do not have to share a good many public records with you, the citizens and taxpayers.

• It means school officials can hold off on telling parents about a bomb threat made against an upcoming school event until after the event is over.

• It means that government agencies can hold meetings and retreats in secret, without disclosing what was discussed or how much of the taxpayers’ money was spent.

• It means that most basic facts, like the salaries public officials earn, can often be kept secret.

At least one reader was not impressed.

“What a bunch of self-serving tripe,” wrote Kevin K. in response to the editorial.

As I have written before, Kevin K. is not alone. The Right-to-Know issue has been framed too often and for too long as a special pleading for special privilege by the media, rather than what it is: a fundamental requirement for a democratic government. This is a people’s issue much more than a press issue, as the examples above ought to make clear. Rep. John Bear and Leslie Graves understand that. We need convince Kevin of its importance as well.

In the next couple of days, we will read in this space about the Byzantine efforts of the Coatesville (Chester County) City council to keep the contract of its newly hired police chief out of public view. It is part of a disgraceful process of closed doors and closed records that has real consequences for the city, its residents and the surrounding communities.