Arkansas transparency headlines
From Sunshine Review
This article is a list of transparency related news from Arkansas.
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| Report It • | The Good • | The Bad • | The Ugly | |
Law lets DHS stall
"Four children assigned to foster parents by the Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS) have died in recent months — a shocking number for a state that hasn't had a foster-child death since 2003.
The number came to light thanks to a Freedom of Information Act request to the agency from the Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families (AACF)."
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences to keep exec hunt private
"The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences will use a private search firm to help find its next chancellor.
But the University of Arkansas Foundation Inc., not the university, hired the firm to keep applicants’ names private, said B. Alan Sugg, president of the University of Arkansas System. Because the UA Foundation is funded through private donations, it is not subject to the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act and the applicants’ names don’t have to be released, UA System officials said Wednesday."
Greenwood Wants FOIA Suit Dropped
"In a motion filed Aug. 26, the city of Greenwood contends a Freedom of Information Act violation lawsuit brought against it by its former mayor should be dismissed as inappropriate.
In the motion and brief supporting it filed by attorney Greg Karber, the city argues that former Mayor Garry Campbell was not the subject of the FOIA request, that the FOIA does not create a private cause of action for damages, that Campbell has not suffered any damages and that requesting an attorney general’s opinion was unnecessary."
Irate Ark. man posts county e-mail records in privacy fight
"An Arkansas resident is posting the internal e-mail records of various officials in the Pulaski County clerk's office on his Web site in retaliation for what he calls the county's refusal to remove certain public documents containing Social Security numbers from its Web site."
Special prosecutor won't proceed with suit against ES aldermen
"A special prosecutor has declined to prosecute three members of the city council for an apparent violation of the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).
Special Prosecutor H.G. Foster agreed that three aldermen violated the provisions of the FOIA, but he felt he would have problems getting a conviction because the defendants could claim a "mistake of law and advice of counsel.""
Lawyer: Meeting violated FOIA
"When the mayor and two aldermen met to re-hire a police officer Oct. 2 they failed to follow the state Freedom of Information Act, according to a legal expert.
Mayor Max McDonald called the meeting at the request of Chief of Police Jim Dwyer to discuss a personnel matter, and because matters involving city employees are not public information, McDonald did not notify the public, including local media."
Bisbee Says Private Meetings OK
"Benton County judge candidate Sen. Dave Bisbee, R-Rogers, said county justices of the peace can meet one on one without violating the state Freedom of Information Act.
Bisbee said he would encourage justices of the peace to meet privately if he's elected county judge. Bisbee faces Democrat Bill Williams of Bella Vista in the general election Nov. 4.
Several attorneys and those well-versed in the law said intentional meetings between two justices of the peace where any county business is conducted violates state law."
Sheriff's Dept. violates Freedom of Information Act
"Employees of the Clark County Sheriff's Office denied Oracle staffers a legal right afforded to them by the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act of 1967, or FOIA, this past weekend.
Employees of two other local newspapers were permitted to view public records at the jail, while Oracle staffers were denied access and threatened with arrest."
Chief deputy apologizes after FOIA violation
"The Oracle received an apology Monday after employees of the Clark County Sheriff's Office denied Oracle staffers a legal right afforded to them by the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act of 1967, or FOIA, this past weekend.
Employees of two other local newspapers had been permitted to view public records at the jail Sunday, while Oracle staffers were denied access and threatened with arrest."
LR city attorney says jail info gag order 'erroneous'
"A Little Rock District Court judge's decision to seal jail records involving the suspect in the slaying of a television anchorwoman was "erroneous," the city's attorney said Friday.
City Attorney Tom Carpenter did not defend Judge Lee Munson's decision to seal the records, but rather argued that his actions did not constitute "a plain abuse of discretion." In a filing Friday to the Arkansas Supreme Court, Carpenter argued that the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette newspaper should have appealed first to the Pulaski County Circuit Court."
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