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HOT!: Catch the latest Florida open government news with The Florida Sunshine Review ...
Open records and meetings links, resources.
Many Web links are born to die. Even if that should happen with those below, this list can still be of value.
Obtain the story by trying the headline or keywords in a search engine for another link, check the online archives or back issues of the news organization involved, or use Lexis-Nexis or other commercial databases that might be available to you or through your local public library.
November 23, 2008
 State’s open record laws often violated: Public records should be easily obtained by the public. But a statewide audit by members of the Florida Society of Newspaper Editors indicates "that many school districts, sheriff's offices and county administrative offices don't understand how they should respond to public records requests - even though the state constitution and law clearly requires access with minimal restrictions,” Brendan Farrington of The Associated Press reports. As part of the test to see how well officials comply with records requests, reporters and volunteers fanned out statewide to school, county administrative office and sheriff’s offices to ask for e-mails about local budgets. “Almost 43 percent of the offices failed to comply with the law, either because they required a name, reason or written request or because they weren't able to reasonably produce a record,” the AP reported. In Jefferson County, school staff even took the license plate number of one reporter who asked for records.
Florida Sunshine Review:
Fort Myers News-Press editorial: State and local officials need to be educated on how to handle public records requests as the law requires …
Palm Beach Post, by Cara Fitzpatrick: Sheriff’s offices in Palm Beach, Martin and St. Lucie counties flunk audit on public records …
Tallahassee Democrat, by Nic Corbett: Jefferson County superintendent tracks down reporter who made public records request …
The Associated Press, by Brendan Farrington: Mixed results on public records audit for officials in Manatee County …
Naples Daily News staff report: Collier sheriff fails secret public records audit while two other agencies pass …
Naples Daily News, column by Phil Lewis: Government as a whole rates an “F” in adhering to public records laws …
Orlando Sentinel, by Amanda Welch: public records requests befuddle Central Florida county officials …
Daytona News-Journal, by Jim Saunders: Foster kids need access to records, open government reform group says …
Tallahassee Democrat editorial: Florida state lawmakers should have to live with the open government law they impose on local governments …
November 19, 2008
Florida plagued by arrests, disciplinary actions for sex-crime teachers: Public records can help put statewide issues into perspective. State teacher disciplinary records reviewed by Denise-Marie Balona of the Orlando Sentinel indicate that at least 150 Florida teachers have faced discipline during the last three years after accusations of sexual misconduct with students. The story notes that disciplinary cases involving sexual misconduct are increasing – particularly among female educators. “And modern technology is helping teachers prey on children via cell phones and e-mail. In the sexual-misconduct cases reviewed by the Sentinel, about half of the teachers who were reprimanded, suspended, put on probation or had their certificates revoked used e-mail, MySpace pages and text messages to flirt and talk about sex with students,” the story says. The state has, however, taken some steps to limit offenses. This story includes links to photos of teachers accused of inappropriate behavior with students along with details on specific cases from selected counties.
Florida Sunshine Review:
Fernandina Beach News-Leader, by Ryan Smith: Nassau County Commission says state lawmakers should apply Sunshine Law to themselves …
Pensacola News-Journal, by Jamie Page: Two Pensacola residents sue park board over lack of a public comment period at meetings …
Sarasota Herald-Tribune, by Kim Hackett: Sunshine Law trial involving Venice officials could be delayed …
Ocala Star-Banner, by Christopher Curry: Lakeland resident draws backlash with public records requests …
Seminole Chronicle, by Abraham Aboraya: State Ethics Commission clears Winter Springs commissioner Rick Brown of open meetings laws violation …
Pasco school records demand sparks outrage from school leaders …
Election takes care of questionable open meetings compliance at Ava Maria …
November 2, 2008
Florida Sunshine Review:
Sarasota Herald-Tribune, by Kim Hackett: Lawsuit alleges code names and hand-delivered memos used to sidestep Sunshine Law in Venice …
Northwest Daily News, by Dusty Ricketts: Fort Walton Beach City Council sets up meetings to repair problems from Sunshine Law violations …
Lakeland Ledger, by John Chambliss: Man wins public records fight with Polk County schools over employee data …
Naples Daily News editorial: Openness, public records helped make best of bad incident in East Naples …
*Vero Beach Press-Journal editorial: Open government commisison’s work should not be wasted (*registration required) …
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