Loading...
Letter from the Editor Dear Reader, My column last week, about a lack of transparency surrounding the evaluation and pay increase for the president of Western Michigan University, struck a chord with many readers. And not just in Kalamazoo.
I heard from faculty and alumni, to be sure, but also from readers around the state who not only advocate for open government but have themselves run into obstacles when trying to get information from the people we pay to conduct public business.
Here are some of your responses:
I don't want to hear this BS excuse that it would compromise governmental security. Most likely the information only involves the security of those who have the power to sequester those documents. – AW
With or without transparency, the WMU trustees have a long history of overcompensating presidents who already receive a bloated salary and handsome benefits. Does the president pay for housing? Transportation? Household staff? So how much discretionary income does a WMU president enjoy? How does a 75K increase compare to the salary of staff/faculty? It is so important to have a strong press to hold accountable those in power. Thank you for your efforts. – NM
I asked to look at construction plans at the Novi planning office. They were in a stack of documents sitting right in front of me on the counter. The administrator flatly told me no and said I would have to file a FOIA through the city's FOIA administrator at the mayor's office, who told me it might cost hundreds of dollars. She was not fazed at all when I told her they were sitting right in front of me. She had to stick with the procedure, which was clearly designed to discourage inquiries. – GH
There have been numerous FOIAs submitted to the city of Jackson clerk regarding absentee votes from last November. Just like WMU, these FOIAs are not being taken seriously. Maybe MLive can have some better results with the clerk's office? It seems government just doesn't feel it has to follow their own laws. – JW
I plan to stay on this theme because A) it’s a pervasive problem at all levels of government and B) we are roughly a month away from Sunshine Week – an annual project of press associations across America to “shine light” on the Freedom of Information and Open Meetings acts, and how they are routinely abused.
This year’s observance is from March 13-19; click here for more information and resources for getting involved. I usually join the campaign with a column and/or podcast, but this year I’d like MLive to do more. Encouraged by the sense of frustration and outrage I saw in your responses to my column last week, I’d like to invite you – our readers and fellow citizens – to come together in efforts to make a difference.
First, I invite you to share your personal experiences with difficulties getting information from public officials; and to suggest topics for investigation using the power of FOIA to get documents from public bodies. Second, I will engage MLive editors and reporters to not only pursue some of these cases and topics but work directly with citizens in that effort.
Battling public officials to get information is part of our workday, but for non-journalist citizens it’s more than a hassle – it is an affront to their right to see the inner workings of the people hired and elected to do their business.
Join me in making a difference and shining more sunshine around the halls of government. It’s gratifying, it’s necessary and it’s overdue.
###
Send your FOIA frustration stories, or suggestions for reporting based on public record searches, to editor@mlive.com. I’ll report back to you during Sunshine Week in March.
🎧 Don't miss this week's episode of Behind the Headlines. This week John brings on Director of Content Innovation, Tanda Gmiter, and Director of Audience, Gillian Van Stratt, to talk about the wild week of weather coverage MLive just had, what it's like to cover a storm and what makes Michigan so incredibly unique when it comes to our thirst for all things weather. CLICK HERE TO LISTEN.
Editor's note: I value your feedback to my columns, story tips and your suggestions on how to improve our coverage. Let me know how MLive helps you, and how we can do better. Please feel free to reach out by emailing me at editor@mlive.com.
John Hiner Executive Editor Vice President of Content Mlive Media Group
Download our Apps:
Having trouble viewing this email? View in your browser.
To ensure receipt of our emails, please add newsletters@update.mlive.com to your address book or safe sender list. You received this email because you are a subscriber to MLive.com newsletters. Privacy Policy 169 Monroe Ave NW #100 |
Loading...
Loading...