Media outlets across the state conducted their own audit of municipal compliance with Virginia’s Freedom of Information Act this fall, and both Charlottesville and Albemarle did really well. Three requests were made of every 134 cities and counties in the state: crime reports, e-mails between elected officials, and school fire inspection reports. Only thirteen localities in the state granted all three requests, and Charlottesville, Albemarle, and Greene all made the list.
9 Responses to “C’ville Top Respondant in FOIA Test”
- 1 Pingback on Jan 4th, 2007 at 1:18 pm
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Don’t forget Albemarle! They made the cut, as well.
I didn’t even see Albemarle on that list — thanks for that, Jim. I’ve updated the story to reflect that.
It’s tough for me to get excited about C’ville, Albemarle and Greene all complying. This is basic stuff here. What I find interesting is that the rest of the state did so badly. How remarkable that of the 10% of the state that complied, fully a quarter consisted of here. Either we’re doing something really right or the rest of the state is doing something really wrong.
They clearly did not go into the Charlottesville City Circuit Court and ask for anything. Had they done that, Charlottesville would have been at the bottom of the list. Paul Garrett is the most unhelpful elected official in the area. Not only is he unhelpful he is mean and dismissive about it. I do not know anyone in town who has gone into his office and come away with a good feeling.
The county may have Camblos but the City has Paul
The pessimist in me says it’s the 2nd part of that. The rest of the state is doing something really wrong.
And Since the topic is FOIA requests- does anyone know of a good website that has a “walkthru” on how to make a freedom of information act request?
Any link to the raw data that this article is based on?
I’m afraid not, at least not that I could find. I’d love to see it, though.
There’s actually a great website from the Virginia Coalition for Open Government that explains how to do a FOIA request and a ton of other stuff. The website is: http://www.opengovva.org/
Much thanks for that link JLOR.