Serious About Open Government? We’ll See You Wednesday

Madison County’s new and first exclusively online “newspaper” – www.MadisonCountyCourier.com – will host Freedom of Information Law and Open Government Guru Robert Freeman of the New York State Committee on Open Government Wednesday.

The presentation will be held Wednesday Nov. 4 at 7 p.m. in the STUAC Theater on the Morrisville State College campus.

Morrisville State College has generously donated the space for the event.

Freeman, who has become a friend of Madison County, visiting annually for the past several years, will be speaking on updates to the Freedom of Information Law, Open Meetings Law and privacy matters.

“Trying to educate our local legislators has been sort of a pet project for me and my colleagues at our former job, and it seemed only logical to continue that effort,” said Content Development Editor Martha E. Conway. “Mr. Freeman’s presentations are always enlightening, and even those of us in the field every day find new and helpful information.”

Conway said the decision to host Freeman the day after Election Day was two-fold.

“First, he was already going to be in Utica that afternoon,” Conway said. “Second, we figured those sincere about supporting transparency in government will turn out whether or not they are elected.”

Conway said the timing may actually be quite fortuitous.

“The terms of 17 of 19 seats on the Madison County Board of Supervisors are up for election,” Conway said. “In addition, the terms of office for the Mayor of the City of Oneida and the entire Common Council are up, as are numerous town council, highway, clerk and council seats. Frankly, I am concerned that the newly elected will sign up for one of the workshops targeted to them and receive a 15-minute presentation in the subject. Mr. Freeman is the world’s foremost authority in this topic, and a 15- or 20-minute overview during a day-long workshop just doesn’t cut it. We want to get our current and future legislators up to speed, get the information straight from the horse’s mouth, and we want to provide them that opportunity before they get any misinformation anywhere else.”

But, Conway said, Freeman’s talk isn’t just for elected officials.

“It is for anyone who wants to learn their rights about Freedom of Information, how meetings are to be conducted, what records have to be kept and the legal foundations for a public body to enter an executive session,” Conway said. “Members of the public think the press has magical powers to get information they can’t or to challenge a board when they wish to discuss a matter outside of public view. We don’t. Those interested in participating in their local government have a great opportunity here to learn the tools they have at their disposal to do so.”

The presentation is free and open to the public; elected officials, amateur watchdogs, working journalists and journalism students also are expected to be in attendance.

For more information, contact Conway at martha@m3ppublications.com or 315.813.0124.

One Comment on "Serious About Open Government? We’ll See You Wednesday"

John Blackmore on Tue, 22nd Sep 2009 10:02 pm

Hey, that sounds great! Janie and I are very interested. Please tell us all the when and where, and we’ll be there for sure. What a wonderful opportunity for those of us who are passionately interested in this subject.

Thanks.

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Serious About Open Government? We’ll See You Wednesday

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