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It might not be spring for another week, but there was plenty of sunshine last week. The type of sunshine that brings light to the back rooms of public offices and opens up the government process to the people it serves.
We’re talking about Sunshine Week. It’s a national effort held annually that raises awareness of public access laws. Though it’s promoted in large part by newspapers and other media outlets, it’s really not about us. Journalists are well-versed on what information is available to the public and see keeping it that way as an important part of their job.
So, that means Sunshine Week is about you. It’s about teaching citizens that they have a right to information. That they have a right to be informed about how their taxes are spent and about what’s happening in their community. And the reason for the national observation every year is to make sure you keep those rights.
But first you have to know what your rights are.
You have the right to view any “public record,” which is described as any record created, received, retained, maintained or filed by or with a public agency. This includes records created for or on behalf of a public agency by an outside contractor.
If you ask for a document in person, the office has 24 hours to respond to your request. If you make the request by mail, it has seven days. If they don’t give you the requested document, they’re required to tell you why. You have a right to appeal that decision with the Indiana Public Access Counselor.
If you want a copy of the document, the office is allowed to charge you a reasonable fee. If you just want to examine the public record, you have the right to do that right there in the office.
With the exception of few specific criminal background cases, you don’t have to disclose who you are or why you want to see the document.
To learn your full rights to public information, visit www.in.gov/pac
We encourage everyone to learn their rights and then put them to good use.
Happy hunting.
Opinion
OUR VIEW: Shining a light on Sunshine Week
- Opinion
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THEIR VIEW: CEOs should buy their own perks
It’s no secret that CEOs of public companies make a lot of money.
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WOLFSIE: Looking for my lost cell phone
For the longest time, I had a label on my cell phone displaying the mobile number so if I lost the device the person who found it could call me.
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PUBLIC FORUM: Solar, wind power were considered
Ms. Madella Gellinger voiced some questions in her letter to the Pharos-Tribune April 21 about the new power plant. She asked why solar panels and wind turbines were not being considered
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OUR VIEW: Scammers seek profit from tragedy
We’re disgusted we even have to write this editorial.
As residents of Oklahoma City and its suburbs barely start the process of picking themselves up off the ground, we’ve already received warnings from state police about scammers looking to make a quick buck off the misfortune of others. -
KITCHELL: New pope gives us hope for a better world
I’m not a member of the Roman Catholic faith, but if I were, I think I’d be proud of the new leader cardinals chose for my denomination.
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OUR VIEW: Move over for workers, Ind. drivers
Most motorists already know that state law requires them to change lanes when approaching a stopped emergency or state highway vehicle when its emergency lights are flashing.
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SOUTHERN: District boundaries show lack of respect
I can imagine no real reason why a county like Cass would be split up into three districts except to show it a lack of respect.
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OUR VIEW: Are you prepared for a disaster?
As you read today’s final installment on disaster preparedness, which focuses on earthquakes and their very real threat right here in Indiana, we hope you take the message to heart and make the decision to prepare yourself. If you don’t, no one else will.
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KNISELY: What are odds of that?
As you read this, I’ll be basking in the warm sun on a Florida beach. I’m not sure where you’ll be when reading this, but I’m pretty sure I’ll be coming out the winner. Seems only fair considering I was moving boxes in the rain just a few Sundays ago.
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PUBLIC FORUM: Minimize our risk before making bet
A Logansport letter-writer calls a local proposal to generate energy from refuse-derived fuels a risky gamble.
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THEIR VIEW: CEOs should buy their own perks
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