For a recent assignment for my Journalism 220 class at Indiana University of Pennsylvania we were challenged to find information regarding the Open Records Laws in PA. For the first question in regards to the ranking of PA, I googled the survey from the Better Goverment Association's poll in 2002. I found that Pennsylvania ranked 48. Only Alabama and South Dakota were lower than our state.
The second question led us to a website containing the names of legislators who are in support of improving Pennsylvania's open records law. It is categorized by Representatives and Senators alphabetically, and by county. I live in Allentown, PA which falls in Lehigh County. I found that there were 6 legislators in this area. Patrick M. Browne and Robert C. Wonderling make up the Senators. Jennifer Mann, Douglas G. Reichley, Julie Harhart and Carl W. Mantz are the representatives. From the website www.passopenrecords.org, Wonderling and Harhart are on the list for those in favor of improving PA's open records. I e-mailed those who I did not find on the list and received e-mails back from 3 out of the 4 not on the list. The 3 who responded- Browne, Mann and Reichley, all told me that they were in favor but were not on the list. It either was not updated or they have just recently joined the cause. I got no response out of Mantz or his people. When I got responses I felt sort of embarrassed for sending and e-mail almost demanding reason for their lack of support for the law. However, it is only through e-mail so I quickly got over it.
The third and final part of the challenege was to obtain some sort of document (open records request) that should be given to you thanks to the open records law. I attempted to get the contract of the Louise Donohue, the superintendent from my high school (Parkland) in Allentown. I did not receive a reponse to my request, which was quite frustrating not only for the assignemnt but because I could not get a reponse from my own high school. The challenge was now over for me. Despite my e-mail debacle and the lack of response from Parkland I enjoyed the challenge. Hopefully our legislators can get our state out from near the bottom of the list in rankings.
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Friday, April 25, 2008
PA open records
I was instructed to investigate the state of public records in Peters township to better understand the hardship journalist go through everyday.First, I googled the Better Government Association's 2002 survey of state open records laws. I found that Pennsylvania ranked 48. Only Alabama and South Dakota ranked lower in the commonwealth. Then I looked up my state representatives on www.passopenrecords.org to see if my legislators have signed on in support of improving Pennsylvania's open records law.I found that John Pippy was my legislator. I did find that he does support PA open records law. I contacted my district to see how I would obtain a copy of the superintendent’s contract. I was somewhat nervous and thought it might be a struggle to obtain such a document. It was to my surprise that they were very polite and more than willing to give me what I had requested. I will say, that I was a little aggravated when I found out that I had to drive home to sign for the document. They refused and said it was against their policy to mail records out. I drove home and went to the municipal building. It was there that I asked the lady at the desk for the records. She already has a copy waiting for me and all I had to do was sign my name on a sheet of paper.
I was instructed to investigate the state of public records in Peters township to better understand the hardship journalist go through everyday. First, I googled the Better Government Association's 2002 survey of state open records laws. I found that Pennsylvania ranked 48. Only Alabama and South Dakota ranked lower in the commonwealth. Then I looked up my state representatives on www.passopenrecords.org to see if my legislators signed in support of improving Pennsylvania's open records law. I found that John Pippy was my legislator. I did find that he does support PA open records law.
I contacted my district to see how I would obtain a copy of the superintendent’s contract. I was somewhat nervous and thought it might be a struggle to obtain such a document. It was to my surprise that they were very polite and more than willing to give me what I had requested. I will say, that I was a little aggravated when I found out that I had to drive home to sign for the document. They refused and said it was against their policy to mail records out. I drove home and went to the municipal building. It was there that I asked the lady at the desk for the records. She already has a copy waiting for me and all I had to do was sign my name on a sheet of paper.
I contacted my district to see how I would obtain a copy of the superintendent’s contract. I was somewhat nervous and thought it might be a struggle to obtain such a document. It was to my surprise that they were very polite and more than willing to give me what I had requested. I will say, that I was a little aggravated when I found out that I had to drive home to sign for the document. They refused and said it was against their policy to mail records out. I drove home and went to the municipal building. It was there that I asked the lady at the desk for the records. She already has a copy waiting for me and all I had to do was sign my name on a sheet of paper.
My experience with PA Open Records has been a good one.
I wrote a letter to the superintendent at the Homer-Center School District requesting his current contract. Within several days, I had a copy of the contract. However, at first I thought it was going to be disappointing. For some odd reason, I had trouble getting a hold of the superintendent and his secretary. I kept getting transferred to the secretary's voicemail. So, I left a voice mail and didn't get a call back; I started to get worried.
However, I guess in the end, I got what I had requested in a timely-fashion and have no real complaints except run-around I got trying to get a hold of the superintendent (and his secretary).
I wrote a letter to the superintendent at the Homer-Center School District requesting his current contract. Within several days, I had a copy of the contract. However, at first I thought it was going to be disappointing. For some odd reason, I had trouble getting a hold of the superintendent and his secretary. I kept getting transferred to the secretary's voicemail. So, I left a voice mail and didn't get a call back; I started to get worried.
However, I guess in the end, I got what I had requested in a timely-fashion and have no real complaints except run-around I got trying to get a hold of the superintendent (and his secretary).
Mifflin County
My experience with PA Open Records in Mifflin County was pretty unsuccessful. I first called the Superintendent office to get the address of the Right to Know Officer because I wanted information on the salary and budget of the Superintendent I was told there was no such officer and to submit my paper work to the Superintendent himself. After I mailed the letter and did not get a response I called the office and was told the paper work was probably sitting on his desk waiting for him to review.
I then changed my focus to getting property records so I called Mifflin County courthouse where I was again told by everyone working there that there was no such thing as a Right to Know Officer, but was given phone numbers to call for the different offices I may have wanted to get information from.
If people working in buildings that should have a Right to Know Officer don't know about it, the public obviously does not either.
I then changed my focus to getting property records so I called Mifflin County courthouse where I was again told by everyone working there that there was no such thing as a Right to Know Officer, but was given phone numbers to call for the different offices I may have wanted to get information from.
If people working in buildings that should have a Right to Know Officer don't know about it, the public obviously does not either.
Fairview School Open records
At first I was uneasy about undertaking this "open records challenge." I figured that no public official wanted to waste their time Xeroxing old documents for me and that my request would be shoved aside until the last minute, however, I was plesantly suprised at the reception of my request.
I started out by doing some research to find out who the "right-to-know" officer was at my old high school, Fairview. The school's website said that all open records requests should be sent to the superintendnet, Mr. Larry Kessler. Now, Mr. Kessler has been the superintendent at Fairview for a number of years, including the ones which I spent in the school, which has an enrollment of less that 600 kids. He and I have met, to say the least, for that matter he still strikes up a conversation with me whenever I run into him around town, he's a pretty nice guy afterall. Now, asking Mr. Kessler for a copy of his contract, as option #1 instructs, seemed rather rude to me. Thus I settled on option 2, which is a request for the documents showing the total amount spent on legal fees by the school district from the previous year.
I mailed my request on March 31st, including my address here at school, my cell phone number, and my E-mail address in the letter so they could easily contact me. Well, about 5 days later, Ed Barnes, Fairview School District's bussiness manager, called my Mom instead of me. You can imagine my poor mother's shock when this fellow, whom she also knows rather well, calls her house looking for me and carrying on about legal fees. It took some real reassuring on my part that I was not in any trouble and that we didn't need to call a lawyer.
Finally, everything got straightend out and Mr. Barnes mailed a rather thick envelope stuffed full of legal receipts from the 06-07 school year to me. He included a very nice letter instructing me to feel free to call him personally if I had any problems or if I needed any more information.
The information on the documents was astounding. Some of the proceedings cost less that $100 total, but other instances, such as a termination settlement between the school and the old schoolboard president racked up nearly $4000! A disciplinary hearing for a student, whose name was left unknown, back in January of 2007 cost the district $1,200 just to expell the kid!
I was pleased that it was rather easy to get this information sent back to me with such enthusiasim. I still don't know why they called my Mom, but it all worked out. My only question is if I would have had as easy of a time trying to obtain public records from an institution that I myself was not affiliated with for 8 years.
I started out by doing some research to find out who the "right-to-know" officer was at my old high school, Fairview. The school's website said that all open records requests should be sent to the superintendnet, Mr. Larry Kessler. Now, Mr. Kessler has been the superintendent at Fairview for a number of years, including the ones which I spent in the school, which has an enrollment of less that 600 kids. He and I have met, to say the least, for that matter he still strikes up a conversation with me whenever I run into him around town, he's a pretty nice guy afterall. Now, asking Mr. Kessler for a copy of his contract, as option #1 instructs, seemed rather rude to me. Thus I settled on option 2, which is a request for the documents showing the total amount spent on legal fees by the school district from the previous year.
I mailed my request on March 31st, including my address here at school, my cell phone number, and my E-mail address in the letter so they could easily contact me. Well, about 5 days later, Ed Barnes, Fairview School District's bussiness manager, called my Mom instead of me. You can imagine my poor mother's shock when this fellow, whom she also knows rather well, calls her house looking for me and carrying on about legal fees. It took some real reassuring on my part that I was not in any trouble and that we didn't need to call a lawyer.
Finally, everything got straightend out and Mr. Barnes mailed a rather thick envelope stuffed full of legal receipts from the 06-07 school year to me. He included a very nice letter instructing me to feel free to call him personally if I had any problems or if I needed any more information.
The information on the documents was astounding. Some of the proceedings cost less that $100 total, but other instances, such as a termination settlement between the school and the old schoolboard president racked up nearly $4000! A disciplinary hearing for a student, whose name was left unknown, back in January of 2007 cost the district $1,200 just to expell the kid!
I was pleased that it was rather easy to get this information sent back to me with such enthusiasim. I still don't know why they called my Mom, but it all worked out. My only question is if I would have had as easy of a time trying to obtain public records from an institution that I myself was not affiliated with for 8 years.
PA Open Records
This exercise was easy and helpful. The first thing I did was find the legislators for Montgomery County to see if they were signed on to support the improvement of the PA open records law. Next, I sent out an email to Robert Wonderling, a representative for my county (it turned out, I was contacting the wrong person.) I contacted him for the documents reflecting the total amount spent on legal fees by the Souderton Area School District.
Although he never emailed me back, I recieved a phonecall within the next week. It was his secretary, Danielle Bodnar. She was very nice and helpful, and told me that she had the contact information I needed to obtain the documents I wanted. Ms. Bodnar sent me an email within the next couple of days.
That email directed me to Ms. Brenda Jones Bray, the Director of Business Affairs for Souderton School District. I immediately sent her a letter in the mail, and am still waiting for a response. I received the email April 18, and sent the letter out the following Monday April 21. I have still not received a response because the letter only went out four days ago. I am confident that I will receive the documents I requested within the next few days without a problem. Everyone i communicated with was friendly and resourceful.
Although he never emailed me back, I recieved a phonecall within the next week. It was his secretary, Danielle Bodnar. She was very nice and helpful, and told me that she had the contact information I needed to obtain the documents I wanted. Ms. Bodnar sent me an email within the next couple of days.
That email directed me to Ms. Brenda Jones Bray, the Director of Business Affairs for Souderton School District. I immediately sent her a letter in the mail, and am still waiting for a response. I received the email April 18, and sent the letter out the following Monday April 21. I have still not received a response because the letter only went out four days ago. I am confident that I will receive the documents I requested within the next few days without a problem. Everyone i communicated with was friendly and resourceful.
I did not complete the assignment.
The first few times I tried to find the answers on the web, I got extremely frustrated trying to navigate through the websites. I never found the answer to the first question.
The second question was not difficult at all, however, it was the final question that was not hard, but more confusing, because I could not figure out who to get in contact with to even make the request. Maybe it was the websites I was using or just my failure to understand what to do.
After repeating the agonizing process and getting irritated trying to figure it all out, I set it aside and told myself I would come back to it later.
I know I could have tried harder to complete the assignment. Take it as it is, I guess I will just have to do a better job next time.
The first few times I tried to find the answers on the web, I got extremely frustrated trying to navigate through the websites. I never found the answer to the first question.
The second question was not difficult at all, however, it was the final question that was not hard, but more confusing, because I could not figure out who to get in contact with to even make the request. Maybe it was the websites I was using or just my failure to understand what to do.
After repeating the agonizing process and getting irritated trying to figure it all out, I set it aside and told myself I would come back to it later.
I know I could have tried harder to complete the assignment. Take it as it is, I guess I will just have to do a better job next time.
NikkiO's Open Records Challenge Experience
When I started the Open Records Challenge, I figured I would have no issue obtaining any of the information the sheet requested. I even assumed that my area's legislators would be listed as helping hands on the Passopenrecords.org website..
However, as time passed, I realized I was wrong.. soo soo wrong!
I began by completing the first two questions. I had to do some web-digging, but overall, the information was pretty easy to locate. I then moved on to the third part of the challenge: The legislators.
I visited the Passopenrecords website, foolishly assuming that Representative Ed Wojnaroski Sr. would be listed, so you can imagine the shock and disappointed that overtook me when I realized that he, nor any other legislator in Cambria County, was taking part in the fight to clean up PA's open record laws. To alleviate the slight anger I felt, I simply e-mailed Rep. Wojnaroski, pointing out that he's not listed, asking him why this is and urging him to take part in the website and the issue it represents.
After contacting my legislator, I went on to question four of the challenge - the document request challenge. I decided to request the contract of the Greater Johnstown School District's superintendent. First, I contacted the administration building and spoke to the board secretary (who's name will be kept confidential). She first seemed confused about what I was asking of her, but I was able to get an address and contact name out of her - that was about the extent of it.
I looked up a few sample open documents request letters, just to get an idea of what I was dealing with. I then wrote up my request letter, which I found to be stern, straight to the point and a wee bit more polite than any of the samples I had read. I first tried to mail my letter on March 29, but that blasted postal worker wanted nothing to do with my mail that day, so he didn't take it. It almost seemed like he was in on it with that secretary.. both of them, working against me as I tried to race the clock and get the letter sent by Monday. However, I foiled their plans when I decided to put it in a public mailbox down the street - I knew my letter would be picked up there.
I let an entire week pass before I called to follow-up on the letter I had sent out. When I called the administration building, I talked to the secretary again. I asked if my letter had been received and she quickly replied with a 'no, it's not here.. nooo where to be found!' type of response. She almost seemed happy. it was almost as if the letter was right in front of her, but she chose to say no!
I let some more time pass and I called again about my request - this time, I spoke to someone else who worked in the building, someone a bit more personable. Believe it or not, after a little bit of digging, he found my letter. He let me know it would cost $.75 per page to print and that I must contact the board secretary directly to arrange payment for the documents to be sent.
I personally went down to the administration office, spoke to the board secretary and arranged for the documents to be sent to me. She didn't give me much of a hassle. Nonetheless, the whole situation just made me lose a little faith in the effectiveness of snail-mail. I figured when something was in writing (or typing) it was just as, if not more, valid than going directly to a person and making a request. I guess I was wrong :(
However, I will get the documents I have requested, even if I have to shell out an over-priced $.75 per page!
-NikkiO
However, as time passed, I realized I was wrong.. soo soo wrong!
I began by completing the first two questions. I had to do some web-digging, but overall, the information was pretty easy to locate. I then moved on to the third part of the challenge: The legislators.
I visited the Passopenrecords website, foolishly assuming that Representative Ed Wojnaroski Sr. would be listed, so you can imagine the shock and disappointed that overtook me when I realized that he, nor any other legislator in Cambria County, was taking part in the fight to clean up PA's open record laws. To alleviate the slight anger I felt, I simply e-mailed Rep. Wojnaroski, pointing out that he's not listed, asking him why this is and urging him to take part in the website and the issue it represents.
After contacting my legislator, I went on to question four of the challenge - the document request challenge. I decided to request the contract of the Greater Johnstown School District's superintendent. First, I contacted the administration building and spoke to the board secretary (who's name will be kept confidential). She first seemed confused about what I was asking of her, but I was able to get an address and contact name out of her - that was about the extent of it.
I looked up a few sample open documents request letters, just to get an idea of what I was dealing with. I then wrote up my request letter, which I found to be stern, straight to the point and a wee bit more polite than any of the samples I had read. I first tried to mail my letter on March 29, but that blasted postal worker wanted nothing to do with my mail that day, so he didn't take it. It almost seemed like he was in on it with that secretary.. both of them, working against me as I tried to race the clock and get the letter sent by Monday. However, I foiled their plans when I decided to put it in a public mailbox down the street - I knew my letter would be picked up there.
I let an entire week pass before I called to follow-up on the letter I had sent out. When I called the administration building, I talked to the secretary again. I asked if my letter had been received and she quickly replied with a 'no, it's not here.. nooo where to be found!' type of response. She almost seemed happy. it was almost as if the letter was right in front of her, but she chose to say no!
I let some more time pass and I called again about my request - this time, I spoke to someone else who worked in the building, someone a bit more personable. Believe it or not, after a little bit of digging, he found my letter. He let me know it would cost $.75 per page to print and that I must contact the board secretary directly to arrange payment for the documents to be sent.
I personally went down to the administration office, spoke to the board secretary and arranged for the documents to be sent to me. She didn't give me much of a hassle. Nonetheless, the whole situation just made me lose a little faith in the effectiveness of snail-mail. I figured when something was in writing (or typing) it was just as, if not more, valid than going directly to a person and making a request. I guess I was wrong :(
However, I will get the documents I have requested, even if I have to shell out an over-priced $.75 per page!
-NikkiO
I had an assignment for my Journalism 220 class in which I had to find certain records regarding my home town. I had to write a letter to my county representative requesting information on different topics. The first step of my assignment was to find the representatvie for my county. This part of the assignment was very difficult because I couldn't find the information I needed. I had to search the website for a long period of time until I found the information I was looking for. For my county, Bucks County my representative was Paul Clymer.
After I found out that information I then went on the find out how to reach Mr. Clymer. I discovered his address and telephone number.
The next part of my assignment was to ask for PA open records regarding my county. Out of a list of three different topics I selected the one requesting documents on how much money was spent on legal fees by my county for the year 2006. I sent out my letter hoping for a response in ten days.
Ten days came and passed and I recieved no response letter. After the time limit had passed I had a follow up phone call regarding my letter, but got no answer.
Although I recieved no response this assignment taught me a lot. I never knew that I had an opportunity to view records regarding my county. I now know that as a citizen I have as much right to view these laws as the people in office. This won't be the last time I take advantage of the PA Open Records Law.
After I found out that information I then went on the find out how to reach Mr. Clymer. I discovered his address and telephone number.
The next part of my assignment was to ask for PA open records regarding my county. Out of a list of three different topics I selected the one requesting documents on how much money was spent on legal fees by my county for the year 2006. I sent out my letter hoping for a response in ten days.
Ten days came and passed and I recieved no response letter. After the time limit had passed I had a follow up phone call regarding my letter, but got no answer.
Although I recieved no response this assignment taught me a lot. I never knew that I had an opportunity to view records regarding my county. I now know that as a citizen I have as much right to view these laws as the people in office. This won't be the last time I take advantage of the PA Open Records Law.
PA Open Records Challenge
Pennsylvania is one of the most difficult states in all of the country to obtain information. The only states worse, in fact, are South Dakota and Alabama. So when given the task to obtain public information in a Writing for the Print Media course, things seemed bleak.
A quick look to the representatives of Montgomery County showed that both the Rep. Josh Shapiro and Sen. Stewart Greenleaf have signed the Open Records Bill. A sign of hope.
By using this site to create a request to the appropriate Right to Know Officer anyone can request many public documents, in this instance, the contract for Souderton Area School District Superintendent, Dr. Charles Amuso.
After mailing out the request on March 31 all that there was left to do was wait. After 10 days of no response (April 10) a phone call to the SASD Office was placed. A secretary confirmed that, yes, the request had been received. It was assured that a response, and the information would be forthcoming. However, since that day no contact has been made.
On April 14 another call was placed and promptly put on hold. A half-hours wait later the secretary said that a call would be returned later that day.
As of April 25 no information or further contact has occurred.
Much of the difficulty was likely personal. The school district is not fond of my family and I attribute the lack of response, partially, on this. It is unfortunate and attempts on receiving the information will continue.
A quick look to the representatives of Montgomery County showed that both the Rep. Josh Shapiro and Sen. Stewart Greenleaf have signed the Open Records Bill. A sign of hope.
By using this site to create a request to the appropriate Right to Know Officer anyone can request many public documents, in this instance, the contract for Souderton Area School District Superintendent, Dr. Charles Amuso.
After mailing out the request on March 31 all that there was left to do was wait. After 10 days of no response (April 10) a phone call to the SASD Office was placed. A secretary confirmed that, yes, the request had been received. It was assured that a response, and the information would be forthcoming. However, since that day no contact has been made.
On April 14 another call was placed and promptly put on hold. A half-hours wait later the secretary said that a call would be returned later that day.
As of April 25 no information or further contact has occurred.
Much of the difficulty was likely personal. The school district is not fond of my family and I attribute the lack of response, partially, on this. It is unfortunate and attempts on receiving the information will continue.
Tenelle's Open Records experience
During the completion of this assignment, I discovered that Pennsylvania ranks 47 in the Better Government Associations 2002 survey of the state open records law. The states ranking below PA are Alabama and Montana and the states with the same ranking are Alaska and South Dakota.
My state legislators are Senator Don White and Representative Dave Reed. When searching the list of legislators that have signed on in support of the law, I couldn't find either of them. After emailing both, I found out that Don White signed on in support on February 12, 2008. Dave Reed also responded by saying that he does support of the law. After going through the list again, I did find Dave Reed on it, which I obviously missed the first time. It was very easy to contact both White and Reed and both were very quick to respond. A lady named Marci Bowers responded to my emails to White and she was very helpful and friendly. She told me that if they (Don Whites office) could be of any assistance in the future, to not hesitate to contact them.
For the open records request, I requested the contract of IUP's president, Dr. Tony Atwater. Michelle Fryling is the open records officer and she provides a form online that must be filled out in order for request to be filed. I sent that form, along with a separate letter to her office on March 31. On April 16, I decided to email her to confirm that she received my request. She emailed me the next day and said that she had not received it. When I told her that I needed the information for a class, she told me to send the form via email. I sent the form and received notice within a few days that the contract would be available for pick up on April 22.
My state legislators are Senator Don White and Representative Dave Reed. When searching the list of legislators that have signed on in support of the law, I couldn't find either of them. After emailing both, I found out that Don White signed on in support on February 12, 2008. Dave Reed also responded by saying that he does support of the law. After going through the list again, I did find Dave Reed on it, which I obviously missed the first time. It was very easy to contact both White and Reed and both were very quick to respond. A lady named Marci Bowers responded to my emails to White and she was very helpful and friendly. She told me that if they (Don Whites office) could be of any assistance in the future, to not hesitate to contact them.
For the open records request, I requested the contract of IUP's president, Dr. Tony Atwater. Michelle Fryling is the open records officer and she provides a form online that must be filled out in order for request to be filed. I sent that form, along with a separate letter to her office on March 31. On April 16, I decided to email her to confirm that she received my request. She emailed me the next day and said that she had not received it. When I told her that I needed the information for a class, she told me to send the form via email. I sent the form and received notice within a few days that the contract would be available for pick up on April 22.
Drexel Hill PA
I would say that from the experience of researching the open records of Drexel Hill, PA was overall rather simple. The worst part of the whole experience would probably be the time it took for my letter to arrive and for them to return my letter, only to have it say that they needed my drivers license to give me the information (proof of living in PA). Otherwise i found navigating the Better Government Association's website frustrating, but eventually I found what was required, which was PA being ranked #47 in regards to open records, and Alabama/South Dakota being tied for the place below PA.
Emailing the legislators was a tedious and unproductive task, but I did get an actual response from one of them, Edwin B. Erickson (better known as Ted apparently). He was initially unlisted on the website, but he was involved in getting the open records law to where it is today in PA, so he responded with a letter of confusion. He listed himself as Ted in the email, so I checked the website again and got results for Ted Erickson, so apparently I was initially mislead. All the other legislators were either listed, or required jumping through hoops to reach, so I hit a dead end with this end.
Overall it wasn't too hard to get any of the information, which is surprising considering how poor our ranking is on the list. I wrote my letter to my highschool requesting their legal fees spent for the year 2006 and mailed it April 5th, and had a return letter arrive April 14th. They were willing to give me the information over the phone about halfway through this process, but in the spirit of the assignment I declined and told them to just send me the letter they planned on sending, which was the request for my drivers license number. I could have obtained the information, but I wouldn't have had proof that it was legitimate information unless I mailed another letter and wait for that to be answered.
Emailing the legislators was a tedious and unproductive task, but I did get an actual response from one of them, Edwin B. Erickson (better known as Ted apparently). He was initially unlisted on the website, but he was involved in getting the open records law to where it is today in PA, so he responded with a letter of confusion. He listed himself as Ted in the email, so I checked the website again and got results for Ted Erickson, so apparently I was initially mislead. All the other legislators were either listed, or required jumping through hoops to reach, so I hit a dead end with this end.
Overall it wasn't too hard to get any of the information, which is surprising considering how poor our ranking is on the list. I wrote my letter to my highschool requesting their legal fees spent for the year 2006 and mailed it April 5th, and had a return letter arrive April 14th. They were willing to give me the information over the phone about halfway through this process, but in the spirit of the assignment I declined and told them to just send me the letter they planned on sending, which was the request for my drivers license number. I could have obtained the information, but I wouldn't have had proof that it was legitimate information unless I mailed another letter and wait for that to be answered.
Open Records
In a recent assignment for my journalism class, we were asked to do a PA Open Records Challenge. This consisted of finding where Pennsylvania ranks in the Better Government Association's survey of open record laws and what states rank below PA. I found that PA is ranked 47th and the only states below it are Alabama and Montana.
Then we looked at www.passopenrecords.org to see if the legislators in our respective areas have signed on to support improving PA's open records law. Bob Bastian, who is the representative of my county, Somerset County, had already signed on in support.
The next step for us was to make an open records request. I made my request to my alma mater, Conemaugh Township high school, for a copy of the superintendent's contract. I mailed my request to the high school's business office on March 31st and received it by April 2nd.
Before doing this project, I would have thought that obtaining something like this would be hard and time consuming, but I really didn't have any trouble getting the contract and the school mailed it to me in a timely fashion.
I actually think that this activity was a great exercise for us because, as journalism students, we should all know how to get information that the public is entitled to. Most people don't know how to obtain the information or they don't know that they can get it, so this challenge helped a lot.
Then we looked at www.passopenrecords.org to see if the legislators in our respective areas have signed on to support improving PA's open records law. Bob Bastian, who is the representative of my county, Somerset County, had already signed on in support.
The next step for us was to make an open records request. I made my request to my alma mater, Conemaugh Township high school, for a copy of the superintendent's contract. I mailed my request to the high school's business office on March 31st and received it by April 2nd.
Before doing this project, I would have thought that obtaining something like this would be hard and time consuming, but I really didn't have any trouble getting the contract and the school mailed it to me in a timely fashion.
I actually think that this activity was a great exercise for us because, as journalism students, we should all know how to get information that the public is entitled to. Most people don't know how to obtain the information or they don't know that they can get it, so this challenge helped a lot.
PA Open Records Challenge: Less Than a Challenge
In my Journalism for Print Media class, taught by Michele McCoy-Papakie, we were confronted with a challenge on a topic that I have never considered before: open records. I had never known about the law that makes certain records, like a superintendant's contract or a settlement agreeement between your municipality and another person, public information that is able to be requested and obtained by anyone who wants to know.
The first part of the challenge was for us to find Pennsylvania's ranking in the Better Government Association's 2002 survey of state open records laws. Pennsylvania ranks as number 47, and the state got an 'F' as a grade. The states that ranked below Pennsylvania were Alaska, Montana, South Dakota (47) and Alabama (50).
The second part of the challenge was to review www.passopenrecords.org, the Pennsylvania Newspaper Association's blog on open reocrds issues, to check if the legislators in my municipality have signed on in support of improving Pennsylvania's open records law. I could not tell from the website if Senator Dominic Pileggi and Representative Bryan Lentz were for or against improving this law, so I contacted both of them in order to find out. To my surprise, both responded to my e-mails within one day and wrote that they supported the bill. In fact, Dominic Pileggie was the prime sponsor of the bill.
The last part of the challenge was to make an open records request. I chose to request the contract of my superintendant of my school district back home in Wallingford, Pa. I sent the request out on Monday, March 31 and expected to receive my request by mid-April. I got an e-mail after a few days saying that my request had been received. I found the requested documents in my mailbox on April 18, just in time to review the assignment and gather all of my e-mails and documents together to turn in.
The PA Open Records Challenge was less than a challenge because all of the documents and information I requested came back to me smoothly and in a timely fashion, and I didn't even have to pay for copies!
The first part of the challenge was for us to find Pennsylvania's ranking in the Better Government Association's 2002 survey of state open records laws. Pennsylvania ranks as number 47, and the state got an 'F' as a grade. The states that ranked below Pennsylvania were Alaska, Montana, South Dakota (47) and Alabama (50).
The second part of the challenge was to review www.passopenrecords.org, the Pennsylvania Newspaper Association's blog on open reocrds issues, to check if the legislators in my municipality have signed on in support of improving Pennsylvania's open records law. I could not tell from the website if Senator Dominic Pileggi and Representative Bryan Lentz were for or against improving this law, so I contacted both of them in order to find out. To my surprise, both responded to my e-mails within one day and wrote that they supported the bill. In fact, Dominic Pileggie was the prime sponsor of the bill.
The last part of the challenge was to make an open records request. I chose to request the contract of my superintendant of my school district back home in Wallingford, Pa. I sent the request out on Monday, March 31 and expected to receive my request by mid-April. I got an e-mail after a few days saying that my request had been received. I found the requested documents in my mailbox on April 18, just in time to review the assignment and gather all of my e-mails and documents together to turn in.
The PA Open Records Challenge was less than a challenge because all of the documents and information I requested came back to me smoothly and in a timely fashion, and I didn't even have to pay for copies!
PA Open Records Challenge
The PA Open Records Challenge is a great way to not only find out information you are searching for, but to see how long your source will give you the situation, if they give it to you at all.
At first I was a bit worried about how difficult this assignment would be. Especially after I looked up Pennsylvania's ranking in the Better Government Assosciation's 2002 survey of state open records laws and found that Pa. was number 48. Out of 50 states and seeing that ours was number 48, I didn't think that was a good sign. The only two states that were below Pa. out of all fifty states were Alabama and South Dakota.
But I guess you can only hope for the best. So I decided to send my request letter to the Indiana Area School District and asked to obtain the documents reflecting the total amount spent on legal fees in the Indiana School District for the year of 2006.
I sent my letter in the mail by April 3 and got a reply on April 16. I was pleased it only took them less than a week to get back to me. They sent a cover letter as well stating "this information is provided to you in accordance with provisions of the Right-to-Know Act." They did not try to argue or struggle with giving me the information because they knew they had to.
Although maybe I picked the wrong type of information to request from a high school because the information I got back didn't even cover a third of the page. Apparently purchasing professional and techincal services was the only legal services they had in 2006. But I guess the challenge wasn't meant to study the information you got back but to see if they would send it to you.
The next thing I did was use the website www.passopenrecords.org to find out if "my" legislators have signed on in support of improving Pennsylvania's open records law. I live in Indiana County so I first had to look up our representatives on www.legis.state.pa.us.
I found that Dave Reed had signed on in support of the law.
Samuel Smith did not. I had trouble locating an exact e-mail address for him. However, on his webpage I found a type of comment box that said it would sent the e-mail to him, so I tried that way but have not heard a reply.
The last representative was Jeff Pyle and he did not sign on. I e-mailed him to ask why and got a reply early this morning:
From: "Jeff Pyle"
Subject: Re: PA Open Records
Date: Fri, 25 Apr 2008 10:30:48 -0400
To:
Hi Andrea
I didn't sign on to it because I objected to exposing constituent case files to the press. In actuality, we passed the bill last December and the Governor signed it into law. I voted for its passage.
I don't think I had a very difficult time with the PA Open Records Challenge and I suppose that's the way it's supposed to be. There is a reason these are "open records". It should be easy for the public to get their hands on information that is, well, public.
At first I was a bit worried about how difficult this assignment would be. Especially after I looked up Pennsylvania's ranking in the Better Government Assosciation's 2002 survey of state open records laws and found that Pa. was number 48. Out of 50 states and seeing that ours was number 48, I didn't think that was a good sign. The only two states that were below Pa. out of all fifty states were Alabama and South Dakota.
But I guess you can only hope for the best. So I decided to send my request letter to the Indiana Area School District and asked to obtain the documents reflecting the total amount spent on legal fees in the Indiana School District for the year of 2006.
I sent my letter in the mail by April 3 and got a reply on April 16. I was pleased it only took them less than a week to get back to me. They sent a cover letter as well stating "this information is provided to you in accordance with provisions of the Right-to-Know Act." They did not try to argue or struggle with giving me the information because they knew they had to.
Although maybe I picked the wrong type of information to request from a high school because the information I got back didn't even cover a third of the page. Apparently purchasing professional and techincal services was the only legal services they had in 2006. But I guess the challenge wasn't meant to study the information you got back but to see if they would send it to you.
The next thing I did was use the website www.passopenrecords.org to find out if "my" legislators have signed on in support of improving Pennsylvania's open records law. I live in Indiana County so I first had to look up our representatives on www.legis.state.pa.us.
I found that Dave Reed had signed on in support of the law.
Samuel Smith did not. I had trouble locating an exact e-mail address for him. However, on his webpage I found a type of comment box that said it would sent the e-mail to him, so I tried that way but have not heard a reply.
The last representative was Jeff Pyle and he did not sign on. I e-mailed him to ask why and got a reply early this morning:
From: "Jeff Pyle"
Subject: Re: PA Open Records
Date: Fri, 25 Apr 2008 10:30:48 -0400
To:
Hi Andrea
I didn't sign on to it because I objected to exposing constituent case files to the press. In actuality, we passed the bill last December and the Governor signed it into law. I voted for its passage.
I don't think I had a very difficult time with the PA Open Records Challenge and I suppose that's the way it's supposed to be. There is a reason these are "open records". It should be easy for the public to get their hands on information that is, well, public.
Open Records Assignment
The PA Open Records Assignment was a way to obtain information from local officials in the surrounding areas. First I looked and researched Pennsylvania's ranking in the Better Government Association's 2002 survey of state records law. I found that PA is number 47 on the list and that Alabama and Montana rank below.
I then looked on www.paopenrecords.org and attempted to find if the legislators in my district have signed in support of the PA Open records law. I sent e-mails to Sen. Don White and Jeff Pyle. I recieved no response from Don White but did recieve a response from Jeff Pyle. I was hoping to receive a e-mail from Don White but got nothing. I did research and found that Dave Reed, Indiana County Rep, was in support of the law.
The last piece of imformation I attempted to obtain was a copy of the contract from the superintendent of Indiana Area School District. I thought this task would be the hardest because it is hard to get any information from anyone in the school district. Surprisingly, I did get a response. I sent a letter to the Administrative Office the Monday after the assignment was given and recieved a e-mail response within a week. I was very impressed by how quickly I was able of obtain a copy of the contract. Actually, I was was just surprised that anyone responded at all!
All in all, the open records assignment was a success. I was able to get most of the information that I needed, with the exception of a response from Sen. Don White. I was really egar to hear his response regarding the Open Records Law, however, no such luck. Oh Well! I was able to get in contact with Jeff Pyle and he responded back quickly. I was happy with the outcome of the assignment.
I then looked on www.paopenrecords.org and attempted to find if the legislators in my district have signed in support of the PA Open records law. I sent e-mails to Sen. Don White and Jeff Pyle. I recieved no response from Don White but did recieve a response from Jeff Pyle. I was hoping to receive a e-mail from Don White but got nothing. I did research and found that Dave Reed, Indiana County Rep, was in support of the law.
The last piece of imformation I attempted to obtain was a copy of the contract from the superintendent of Indiana Area School District. I thought this task would be the hardest because it is hard to get any information from anyone in the school district. Surprisingly, I did get a response. I sent a letter to the Administrative Office the Monday after the assignment was given and recieved a e-mail response within a week. I was very impressed by how quickly I was able of obtain a copy of the contract. Actually, I was was just surprised that anyone responded at all!
All in all, the open records assignment was a success. I was able to get most of the information that I needed, with the exception of a response from Sen. Don White. I was really egar to hear his response regarding the Open Records Law, however, no such luck. Oh Well! I was able to get in contact with Jeff Pyle and he responded back quickly. I was happy with the outcome of the assignment.
For the record...
Information - The breakfast of champions for every journalist. It's what we go on, what we write about and most importantly it's how we don't get sued (well, usually...). Open Records law in Pennsylvania is todays topic of discussion.
Let's take a look at the sleepy little town of Butler, Pa. Not much happens there along the lines of big budget scandals or judicial corruption stories, but what if it did? What if something did happen, and I had to report about it? It was time to find out if the Pennsylvania Open Records Laws backed by Butler's representative Brian Ellis and Senator Jane Orie would actually pay off.
The target: The contract of Edward E. Fink, superintendent of Butler Area School District.
Finding a copy of his contract might have been easily done if I just went to the administration building with a smile on my face and asked one of the nice older ladies behind the desk for a copy. But hey, if I'm a big time reporter from counties or even states away, I might not have that luxury. A letter requesting Fink's contract was definitely in order.
Thanks to pa-newspaper.org, finding a sample letter to make mine look professional was as easy as clicking the link and downloading the template. Simple, couldn't be easier. I wrote my letter, addressed the administration building on the front and away it went into the hands of the U.S. Postal Service. Ten days. They have 10 days.
Fifteen days passed. "Hmm," I thought to myself, "this can't be good." So I did what any college student with an assignment that has a coming due date - I waited three more days. "I'll give them some more time, they might be swamped, I don't want to be a hassle," I thought. That was a mistake.
On the 18th day after I sent my letter, I finally buckled down and gave the Butler Area School District Administration Building a call. "Yes, we received your letter Mr. Beatty. According to our records, last Tuesday (pun intended?) we sent the information you requested," said the secretary. Odd. My mailbox is still empty... "Can you tell me what address it was sent to? I still haven't gotten the information I requested and I'm curious as to why," I asked. She rattled off the address the information was sent to. The only problem? That address didn't exist.
I have to say, I love the factor that human error puts on this little green and blue globe. In the course of creating the request letter, I made the mistake of putting the wrong zip code on the bottom of the letter. Right now the information I requested is probably somewhere in Montana, waiting in a little white laundry basket with a "RETURN TO SENDER" stamp on the front.
Let that be a lesson to me. I try to test the system, it conquers me and shows me where I messed up.
touché.
Let's take a look at the sleepy little town of Butler, Pa. Not much happens there along the lines of big budget scandals or judicial corruption stories, but what if it did? What if something did happen, and I had to report about it? It was time to find out if the Pennsylvania Open Records Laws backed by Butler's representative Brian Ellis and Senator Jane Orie would actually pay off.
The target: The contract of Edward E. Fink, superintendent of Butler Area School District.
Finding a copy of his contract might have been easily done if I just went to the administration building with a smile on my face and asked one of the nice older ladies behind the desk for a copy. But hey, if I'm a big time reporter from counties or even states away, I might not have that luxury. A letter requesting Fink's contract was definitely in order.
Thanks to pa-newspaper.org, finding a sample letter to make mine look professional was as easy as clicking the link and downloading the template. Simple, couldn't be easier. I wrote my letter, addressed the administration building on the front and away it went into the hands of the U.S. Postal Service. Ten days. They have 10 days.
Fifteen days passed. "Hmm," I thought to myself, "this can't be good." So I did what any college student with an assignment that has a coming due date - I waited three more days. "I'll give them some more time, they might be swamped, I don't want to be a hassle," I thought. That was a mistake.
On the 18th day after I sent my letter, I finally buckled down and gave the Butler Area School District Administration Building a call. "Yes, we received your letter Mr. Beatty. According to our records, last Tuesday (pun intended?) we sent the information you requested," said the secretary. Odd. My mailbox is still empty... "Can you tell me what address it was sent to? I still haven't gotten the information I requested and I'm curious as to why," I asked. She rattled off the address the information was sent to. The only problem? That address didn't exist.
I have to say, I love the factor that human error puts on this little green and blue globe. In the course of creating the request letter, I made the mistake of putting the wrong zip code on the bottom of the letter. Right now the information I requested is probably somewhere in Montana, waiting in a little white laundry basket with a "RETURN TO SENDER" stamp on the front.
Let that be a lesson to me. I try to test the system, it conquers me and shows me where I messed up.
touché.
PA Open Records Challenge
For my Journalism for the Print Media class at Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP), I was asked to complete a Pennsylvania Open Records Challenge. The first question asked to find Pennsylvania's ranking in the Better Government Association's 2002 survey of open record laws. Pennsylvania ranked 47th and received an F. States which ranked below Pennsylvania included: Alaska (47), Montana (47), South Dakota (47) and Alabama (50).
The next question asked to view www.passopenrecords.org to see if my state legislators (Senator John N. Wozniak and Gary Haluska) were in support of improving Pennsylvania's open records law. I could not find this information directly, so I emailed both legislators. Within a matter of days, I received a response from both of them, telling me that they are both in support of Pennsylvania's open records law.
The third and final question asked to obtain specific documents. I chose to obtain a contract from my school superintendent, Dr. Thomas Estep of Northern Cambria School District in Northern Cambria, Pennsylvania. I wrote a letter to him explaining my situation and asked if I could obtain a copy of his contract. Within a matter of days, I received a copy of his contract.
I found this assignment to be very easy. I was surprised at how quickly I received my information. I think that I was lucky to have legislators and a superintendent who were supportive of my requests.
The next question asked to view www.passopenrecords.org to see if my state legislators (Senator John N. Wozniak and Gary Haluska) were in support of improving Pennsylvania's open records law. I could not find this information directly, so I emailed both legislators. Within a matter of days, I received a response from both of them, telling me that they are both in support of Pennsylvania's open records law.
The third and final question asked to obtain specific documents. I chose to obtain a contract from my school superintendent, Dr. Thomas Estep of Northern Cambria School District in Northern Cambria, Pennsylvania. I wrote a letter to him explaining my situation and asked if I could obtain a copy of his contract. Within a matter of days, I received a copy of his contract.
I found this assignment to be very easy. I was surprised at how quickly I received my information. I think that I was lucky to have legislators and a superintendent who were supportive of my requests.
Pa. Free Public Records Directory!
Check out this free public records directory for Pennsylvania!
http://publicrecords.onlinesearches.com/Pennsylvania.htm
http://publicrecords.onlinesearches.com/Pennsylvania.htm
Open Records
What was supposed to be a challenging task seemed all but difficult Tuesday as I wrote a letter to the Methacton School District, requesting certain files and records for my personal viewing. Although my own interest played a part, the main reason I wrote the letter was for my Journalism 220 class which is taught by Michele McCoy at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. At first I thought this assignment would be challenging seeing as how people are often reluctant to give up information that could possibly be used against them, but I found that my County and school district were happy to help.
I went about collecting this information through a series of steps. First, I looked up the Legislators for Montgomery County, the county that I live in, finding the names of five legislators who had signed on in support of improving Pennsylvania's open records law. Next, I went to my county's website and found an email address for my school district and contacted them by email requesting the following information: The contract of Methacton High School's superintendent and the documents reflecting the total amount spent on legal fees by the Methacton School District in 2006. Within four hours I received an email from the district stating that my request had been forwarded to our district's Right to Know Officer, Mr. Denis McCall, Director of Business Services. I still have yet to get a reply from McCall, but am fairly certain that my request will be granted in the near future.
Overall, I believe that the bill passed for open records is a great idea. Making this information from government agencies available to the public is only fair in my opinion. For those that say that this is impeding on their privacy, they are wrong. We as a people have a right to know what and who are tax dollars are being spent on. The bill also has 30 exceptions to submitted requests which will keep people and agencies safe from releasing information that could harm them in anyway, however, I feel that they could use these exceptions to their advantage. But we can only hope that this will not happen.
I went about collecting this information through a series of steps. First, I looked up the Legislators for Montgomery County, the county that I live in, finding the names of five legislators who had signed on in support of improving Pennsylvania's open records law. Next, I went to my county's website and found an email address for my school district and contacted them by email requesting the following information: The contract of Methacton High School's superintendent and the documents reflecting the total amount spent on legal fees by the Methacton School District in 2006. Within four hours I received an email from the district stating that my request had been forwarded to our district's Right to Know Officer, Mr. Denis McCall, Director of Business Services. I still have yet to get a reply from McCall, but am fairly certain that my request will be granted in the near future.
Overall, I believe that the bill passed for open records is a great idea. Making this information from government agencies available to the public is only fair in my opinion. For those that say that this is impeding on their privacy, they are wrong. We as a people have a right to know what and who are tax dollars are being spent on. The bill also has 30 exceptions to submitted requests which will keep people and agencies safe from releasing information that could harm them in anyway, however, I feel that they could use these exceptions to their advantage. But we can only hope that this will not happen.
Open records project
The Open Records project for Professor McCoy's journalism 220 class was a good practice at the hardships in obtaining public information. One cannot expect to haphazardly wander into a Pennsylvania government worker's office and receive any information at will.
There are many regulations that government offices abide by, concerning the Pa. open records laws. Furthermore, not many government officials are happy, willing or courteous about handing out public information (though our tax dollars put food on their tables and champagne in their nice crystal glasses). In fact, "my" senator, Donald C. White, had not even signed a petition showing support (like many representatives throughout Pa. did) for better Open Records laws. The Pennsylvania Newspaper Association created the petition and upon reviewing their website, I noticed that many representatives throughout Pa. have signed on. I wrote an email to senator White, but I received no reply.
The next step I took was to research how about going at acquiring public information. I wanted to know how much my tax dollars were being frivolously wasted on inane, half-assed Pendot projects around Indiana in 2007 (feeling much like Michael Douglas in Falling Down, I felt compelled to ask Pendot to tell me that they were wasting my money to gain a larger budget; unfortunately this isn't real public information). I browsed the Pendot website and found a page that listed who I could contact, where, and how to formulate the letter (the page stated that the only way to obtain this information was by U.S. mail). I wrote a letter following the standards of Pendot's public information request, but unfortunately never received the information I requested.
Whether letters were lost in the mail, or employees of Pendot refused my request, its easy for me to say that in our time, gaining public information that is to be openly and freely available to everyone is not as easy as the bureaucrats in congress make it seem. Eventually there will be too many skeletons in the closet and the doors will burst, exposing unspoken, harsh truths that will bring these plutocrats to justice.
Anthony
I am enrolled in a journalism writing course, and, for a recent assignment, my professor instruced me to investigate the state of public records in Indiana in light of recent efforts for open record law reform.
I started by by checking where Pennsylvania ranks on the Better Government Association's 2002 survey of state open records laws. With 50 representing the state with the least open records, Pennsylvania ranked 48. Only Alabama and South Dakota trailed the commonwealth.
With this warning of possible troubles ahead in the realm of seeking public information, I looked up my state representatives on www.passopenrecords.org to see if my legislators have signed on in support of improving Pennsylvania's open records law.
Dave Reed of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives was the only politician representing me who supported reform. My other representative, Jeffrey Pyle, and my state senator, Donald White, were not on the list.
I wrote letters to the legislators who did not make the list asking why they were yet to support the reform. I have received no replies, and this seems to adequately reflect a policy of keeping information away from the masses.
With research done, I took on the task of acquiring some public information, and, as expected, I ran into some obsticles. However, knowing Pennsylvania's ranking, I was happy to get any form of acknowledgement.
I decided to get information about the contract of the school superintendent of the Indiana Area School District. After speaking to the administrative assistant three times on the phone--she initially had no idea what I was talking about and had to ask several higher-ups if I was contacting the right office; someone eventually knew--I finally concluded that I could walk into the IASD headquarters and simply ask for information, which i would get on the spot.
I am a touch lazy, and thinking the process would be quick, I did not go to the school district until the week before the assignment's due date. The secretary told me a new set of rules this time.
Apparently, the school district requires a written request for information and can take up to 10 days to respond. I went home and typed a request.
When I returned to the office, I was nicely welcomed as usual by the secretary, and she said I would get the information as soon as possible with a 10 cent charge per coped page. Because of my lateness, I am still waiting for my response. The information may be open, but it is not for free.
I started by by checking where Pennsylvania ranks on the Better Government Association's 2002 survey of state open records laws. With 50 representing the state with the least open records, Pennsylvania ranked 48. Only Alabama and South Dakota trailed the commonwealth.
With this warning of possible troubles ahead in the realm of seeking public information, I looked up my state representatives on www.passopenrecords.org to see if my legislators have signed on in support of improving Pennsylvania's open records law.
Dave Reed of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives was the only politician representing me who supported reform. My other representative, Jeffrey Pyle, and my state senator, Donald White, were not on the list.
I wrote letters to the legislators who did not make the list asking why they were yet to support the reform. I have received no replies, and this seems to adequately reflect a policy of keeping information away from the masses.
With research done, I took on the task of acquiring some public information, and, as expected, I ran into some obsticles. However, knowing Pennsylvania's ranking, I was happy to get any form of acknowledgement.
I decided to get information about the contract of the school superintendent of the Indiana Area School District. After speaking to the administrative assistant three times on the phone--she initially had no idea what I was talking about and had to ask several higher-ups if I was contacting the right office; someone eventually knew--I finally concluded that I could walk into the IASD headquarters and simply ask for information, which i would get on the spot.
I am a touch lazy, and thinking the process would be quick, I did not go to the school district until the week before the assignment's due date. The secretary told me a new set of rules this time.
Apparently, the school district requires a written request for information and can take up to 10 days to respond. I went home and typed a request.
When I returned to the office, I was nicely welcomed as usual by the secretary, and she said I would get the information as soon as possible with a 10 cent charge per coped page. Because of my lateness, I am still waiting for my response. The information may be open, but it is not for free.
Open Records in Abington Township
Pennsylvania was ranked #40 in the BGA's Survey of State Open Record Laws.
I live in Abington, PA (Montgomery County.)
Abington Township/Montgomery County is in support of open record laws.
Montgomery County Legislators in support of open record laws.
*House of Representatives
Rep. Josh Shapiro, D-153 (Montgomery County)
*Senate
Sen. Stewart Greenleaf, R-12 (Montgomery County)
Abington Township makes it very easy for residents to receive public records. There is a PDF file on www.abington.org that residents can download. The process is simple, fill out the Public Record Request form then mail it to the Township Manager, Burton T. Conway. The township has a responsibility to respond within 5 business days if the request is granted.
This PDF file also has the "Policy of The Township of Abington Regarding Access To Public Records," signed by the Township Manager and the president of the Board of Commissioners.
I am even more pleased to be a resident of Abington Township after working on the Open Records Challenge. Learning that our legislators are in support of open record laws gives me that sense of honesty from the officials in Abington.
Residents having easy access to the request form without having to write a letter to the township is a plus. As a resident, I feel that Abington is not trying to hold back or hide any public information.
I live in Abington, PA (Montgomery County.)
Abington Township/Montgomery County is in support of open record laws.
Montgomery County Legislators in support of open record laws.
*House of Representatives
Rep. Josh Shapiro, D-153 (Montgomery County)
*Senate
Sen. Stewart Greenleaf, R-12 (Montgomery County)
Abington Township makes it very easy for residents to receive public records. There is a PDF file on www.abington.org that residents can download. The process is simple, fill out the Public Record Request form then mail it to the Township Manager, Burton T. Conway. The township has a responsibility to respond within 5 business days if the request is granted.
This PDF file also has the "Policy of The Township of Abington Regarding Access To Public Records," signed by the Township Manager and the president of the Board of Commissioners.
I am even more pleased to be a resident of Abington Township after working on the Open Records Challenge. Learning that our legislators are in support of open record laws gives me that sense of honesty from the officials in Abington.
Residents having easy access to the request form without having to write a letter to the township is a plus. As a resident, I feel that Abington is not trying to hold back or hide any public information.
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