The unedited version of my letter to the editor in today's RC Times is on www.coopertownnews.com

With regard to the records request mentioned in my letter, here is the current status:

Most recent request for financial records from Coopertown City Hall. I began requesting the records in writing on September 25, 2007. This is my 12th written request; other verbal requests have been made at Board meetings. As of May 12, I still have not been provided with the records.

Fax to City Hall – Sent 10:31AM

Records Request
To: Terri Brown
From: Alderman Ruth
Date: March 7, 2008

Please provide me with copies of the monthly Statement of Expenditures and Encumbrances as well as the Statement of Estimated, Realized, and Unrealized Revenue from June 2007 to present. I do not need a copy of the reports dated October 31, 2007 or the partial monthly report dated as of February 9, 2008. You made those available to the Board previously.

Please also make copies of the monthly check lists from June 2007 to present, including payroll.

During our monthly Board meeting on February 26, you advised that all these reports are now available.

I would like to pick these up before close of business today. Please call me when they are ready at 615 382-5558.

Thank you.

Reply e mail from Terri Brown March 7

See attached (fax from Mayor)

To: Alderman Ruth
From: Mayor Crosby
Date: 3/7/08
Re: Paperwork

Alderman Ruth:

Today is Friday and your fax was received in this office at 10:31 am. I am very sorry that Terri had to go get her son from school and her and I have already reviewed her work assignment for today. I would suggest if you would like something prepared by Friday not to wait until 10:30 Friday morning, because there is much more to do here that apparently you are unaware of. The things you are asking for will be ready by Tuesday @ 3:00 PM and will be placed in your mailbox. This will give her enough time to process your request.



My reply by e mail March 7

Received your e mail. My incoming fax is not working properly; it won’t pick up. I found out that school closed today at 12, so I understand, but I would like to get whatever is available on Monday and then come back in on Tuesday and get the rest.

No reply to my e mail.

I went to City Hall at 4:00 PM on Tuesday, March 12 to pick up the reports that were promised to be available at 3:00 PM. Terri politely told me that she was not finished running the reports; it would be another 20 minutes or so until they were ready. I explained that I could not wait, I had an errand in Springfield that had a time deadline. Terri offered to place the reports in my mailbox at home and I agreed to that arrangement.

When I arrived home about 6:30 PM March 11, there were no reports in my mailbox, no phone message and no e mail from City Hall.

It is March 12 and after six months of requests, I still have no information. I have been too patient in this request. Apparently I will have to seek a legal remedy to the situation.

I think what is apparent is the cover up that goes on in City Hall. Promises made by Dictator Crosby have not been fulfilled. It is a crying shame that City Hall won't divulge the reports that an elected official of this town asks for. I bet if you went to Springfield City Hall the records could be reproduced almost immediately. Too bad we can't have organization like that. November will be here soon but not soon enough.

I say go for the legal remedy. That'll get Danny moving again....get him fired up and start making threats and senseless comments to the RC Times. Go For It!! I'm behind ya, and I'm sure others will support you.

I did not see your letter to the editor on coopertown news but I did read it at: http://tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080312/MTCN0305/80311088/1303/MTCN03

Terry Brown has a job similar to that of the Police Chief. She goes through the same revolving door all other police chiefs and city recorders have gone through in the past. Just a matter of time before Mayor Crosby fires her and blames all of the inadequate record keeping on her.

_________________
The first principle of a free society is an untrammeled flow of words in an open forum. Adlai E. Stevenson American Lawyer, Politician.

And here is Coach Brown's initial letter to the editor:

http://tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080305/MTCN0305/80305066/1303/MTCN03

I too think it is bias and misleading.

_________________
The first principle of a free society is an untrammeled flow of words in an open forum. Adlai E. Stevenson American Lawyer, Politician.

Today is March 13 and still no requested records. Now why would an elected official be afraid to supply public records, especially when the requesting party is herself a public official. Makes me think somebody has something to hide. That reminds me of a quote, someone with the education of a juvenile. made to me not too long ago:

"Where I'm from we call that type of action out of a man, Chicken."

_________________
The first principle of a free society is an untrammeled flow of words in an open forum. Adlai E. Stevenson American Lawyer, Politician.

Obviously they have reason to stonewall her but anything they do that DOES NOT satisfy this request leaves citizens with little choice but to BELIEVE that City hall is hiding something. If the comptrollers let that go without comment we can forget ever being able to think we the people are electing officials for officer to serve our needs when we are really electing our over lords to ruin our lives and take money for their own needs.

Maybe this will be the final resolution, beyond the coming election, to the Mayor's refusal for records request.

As posted on the Tennessee Comptroller's web site:

http://www.comptroller1.state.tn.us/repository/NR/openrecordswebsite.pdf

For Immediate Release
March 19, 2008
CONTACT: Roxanna Pierce, Communications Officer
(615) 401-7806
roxanna.pierce@state.tn.us
COMPTROLLER’S OFFICE ANNOUNCES NEW WEB SITE,
TOLL-FREE PHONE NUMBER TO PROVIDE OPEN RECORDS INFORMATION AND ASSISTANCE TO TENNESSEE CITIZENS
NASHVILLE — Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury John G. Morgan today announced two new resources for providing open records information and assistance to Tennessee citizens. Citizens may call toll free (866) 831-3750 or visit www.comptroller.state.tn.us/openrecords/index.htm.
The website includes background on the new Comptroller’s Office of Open Records; posting of informal advisory opinions produced by the office; and contact information for citizens to submit inquiries, concerns and questions regarding access to local government public records.
Director Ann Butterworth and Open Records Specialist Elisha Hodge jointly staff the new office, funded by the General Assembly in 2007. They will assist citizens in obtaining open records from local governments, both in guiding citizens to correct offices/officials and in working to resolve disputes regarding access. The effort is addressed both to citizens and to local governments. “The office will answer questions and provide information regarding open records to any person, including local government officials,” said Ms. Butterworth.
The office also will informally mediate and assist with the resolution of issues concerning open records laws when a citizen is not satisfied with the response by a local government to his or her records request. Currently, the General Assembly is considering legislation that would provide express statutory authority for the office. “Whether we are called ombudsmen or ombudspersons, our focus is the same,” Ms. Butterworth explained.
The mission of the Comptroller’s Office of Open Records is to improve the quality of life for all Tennesseans by making government work better. “Having a government that is open and accessible fosters an atmosphere of trust and accountability,” stated Ms. Hodge. “My work in the office over the past couple of months opened my eyes to the fact that Tennessee citizens truly feel that government accountability can be ensured through use of the Tennessee Public Records Act and the Sunshine Laws.”
The website and toll-free phone number are being announced in coordination with Sunshine Week March 16-22, a national initiative to open a dialogue about the importance of open government and freedom of information. Ms. Butterworth and Ms. Hodge also plan to conduct public outreach programs to create awareness and educate citizens about Tennessee’s open records laws. Learn more about Sunshine Week at www.sunshineweek.org.
Citizens may e-mail the Office of Open Records at open.records@state.tn.us.
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_________________
The first principle of a free society is an untrammeled flow of words in an open forum. Adlai E. Stevenson American Lawyer, Politician.

I have now been provided much of the information I requested although some is in a different format that requires some more analysis. Please contact me if you have questions.

Hopefully the new office at the Comptroller's will prevent this type of delay in the future. Thank you for the link.