CITY CLERK NOT TO KEEN WITH PUBLIC SCRUTINY

Jeremy L

I made a trip into the city clerks office today to be greeted with an angry City Clerk. Mrs Whitaker told me she didn't appreciate me writing about her on the internet, also saying I'm writing things that I don't know what I'm talking about. She made sure to let me know that she knew what was in the Freedom of Information Act. Yet she still could not produce a list that is required by law to be maintained and current. She has a big book that has some categories of some records, but citizens should not have to go through a book to search for the categories. A book tabbed is not a list. Mrs Whitaker said she is open about everything and does her best to help people with the information they seek. So why should citizens have to wait up to 14 days as Mrs Whitaker has stated for inspecting a list that is required by state law to be maintained to have to then turn around and wait up to another 2 weeks for the information they request from said list.

I find appalling the unprofessional conduct portrayed by Mrs Whitaker. All city officials are to be the subject of public scrutiny. They are the employee's of the people. Their salaries are paid by the people. Unfortunately, city officials don't seem to feel the same way. She tried saying that I never made it known what I was looking for and seemed upset that it was reported on. City officials should act as if every person that walks through their door is a member of the press. Furthermore, when attempting to fill out their form for public records I was told I'm required by law to fill out the form completely and correctly. Mrs Whitaker refused to take my request unless I put an address on it. She could not show me the law. She asked why I wouldn't put an address on it, where I lived, did I even have an address. Every citizen should take notice as to what is going on with their government and know what the city officials are doing in the name of the citizens and doing it with the citizens money. As it stands, the law does not provide for up to 14 days for records that are readily available for public inspection.

(c) Each public body shall, promptly, either comply with or deny a written request for public records within 7 working days after its receipt. Denial shall be by letter as provided in Section 9 of this Act. Failure to respond to a written request within 7 working days after its receipt shall be considered a denial of the request.

(e) When additional time is required for any of the above reasons, the public body shall notify by letter the person making the written request within the time limits specified by paragraph (c) of this Section of the reasons for the delay and the date by which the records will be made available or denial will be forthcoming. In no instance, may the delay in processing last longer than 7 working days. A failure to render a decision within 7 working days shall be considered a denial of the request.


Every citizen should be concerned by lack of oversight of those they pay to do a job for the public.