In the light: Protecting our right to know critical for our future

This is the end of a very important week.

Sunshine Week is a call to arms of sorts -- the chance to remind all Americans how fortunate they are to be in a country where government is not allowed to operate in secret.

And, it is a chance to remind governments as well that this is a country where meetings are open and where their dealings must be in the light of day, not shrouded in secrecy.

But the sad fact is, there are still many government officials who do not understand the obligation of the laws that protect the public's right to know -- and too many people who are turning a blind eye as those rights are chipped away.

It is the consequence of being in a country where we have been free so long that we do not always appreciate the fight it took to get here -- or how very lucky we are.

But perhaps you might be one of those people who think that when newspapers fight to keep records open and to keep access to public notices unfettered that it really is just the media trying to protect its territory -- and its revenue.

Perhaps you do not believe that there is a need to fight to make sure that governments adhere strictly to the letter of the law when it comes to conducting meetings and business -- that there is not misuse of those rules and regulations.

If so, we have a question.

Do you really know what your government is doing? Are you ever surprised by a zoning change request or a tax increase that you did not see coming?

Do you ever wonder how a board is able to reach a conclusion on a purchase, an initiative or a hiring without more than a couple minutes of discussion in open session?

Do you ever wonder why no one seems to be able to get straight answers about some of the recent concerns in Washington? And why there is a such a fight over open records requests?

It is simple. There are politicians who have learned the art of the loophole.

Information can be kept secret if it falls into certain categories -- legal, personnel and contract.

Understandable. If you are facing a legal issue, you don't want that discussion made public until it is in a courtroom. The personnel concern is obvious as well. And a contract that is discussed in open session gives the other party a leg up that could cost the county, city or state money.

But the problem is those rules are bent, often. Discussions that are not strictly legal are held in closed session -- where other topics come up.

And there are other loopholes, too. Gatherings of a certain number of members of a board or council are considered public meetings, but small gatherings and phone calls between members are not.

Can you see how this factors into discussions that are held among members -- innocently or not -- that should be held for the public to hear?

Not every politician has something to hide -- and there are many who strive to keep their constituents and community informed and involved.

And we are lucky to have some champions of that openness right here in our county.

But as a public we need to remember just how critical it is to make sure that our right to know is protected and guarded as zealously as the other rights we cherish.

It is part of understanding that our government serves us, not the other way around.

And it is a critical component to keeping officials at all levels keenly aware that we not only want to know what they are up to -- but that we are determined to make sure they adhere not only to the letter of the law, but to the spirit of it as well.

Open government is how a country stays free and how officials stay accountable.

It is a standard we need more of, not less, as we move forward into the future.

Published in Editorials on March 21, 2015 11:51 PM