When Township officials record meetings to prepare the official minutes, is the audio tape subject to disclosure under the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law (RTKL)? AQccording to the state Office of Open Records, they are.
South Newton Township rejected requests for the audio tapes of two public meetings, noting they exist solely to assist the Secretary in preparing the official minutes. But the state Office of Open Records has ordered their disclosure. "The Township has not provided any competent evidence that the audio recordings at issue were prepared by or for a public official or employee for their own personal use, and that the recordings do not have an official purpose."
Today's one-liner: "The shortest way to the distinguishing excellence of any writer is through his hostile critics." Richard LeGallienne
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Thursday, January 08, 2015
8 comments:
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Bernie - when I requested my town's audio tapes, they told me they had to consult our solicitor. He looked into it, and quickly came back and said they should be made available. This first happened a few years ago. He's a sharp guy. Glad he agrees.
ReplyDeleteI should add that the town secretary's first reaction was to claim they were for her use only.
ReplyDeleteUnless it's release will get somebody killed, all government info should be our under RTK.
ReplyDeleteThat they are allowed to even debate the subject shows the pathetic pussification of the please govern me crowd.
-Clem
the bigger issue is when the municipality approves an official record of the meeting - do the tapes become unofficial and subject to destruction?
ReplyDeleteBernie, what is the status of your request for an in camera review of Brownie's e-mails by the state open records agency?
ReplyDeleteThe county was ordered to supply the records for an in camera review. After considering saying No, the County sent the records. The state is conducting its in camera review and will make a decision in due course.
ReplyDelete"the bigger issue is when the municipality approves an official record of the meeting - do the tapes become unofficial and subject to destruction?"
ReplyDeleteInteresting question.
The dawn of the five minute public meeting and the three hour executive session.
ReplyDelete