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ICOG (Indiana Coaltion For Open Government) likes to highlight examples of government officials acting to improve access. Last month in Huntington, a split decision by the Common Council are granting access to local government information, including financial transactions, on that city's new Web site.
Council member Steve McIntyre led the effort. The council in May had passed McIntyre's resolution requiring the city to post much more information on the Web site than it previously had made available online. Because the vote was so close – 4-3 – McIntyre felt the need for more public discussion of the issue.
The resolution requires posting a record of every payment by the city, including the amount and, except where prohibited by law, the identity of the recipient. It also mandates posting of a roster of all “government personnel” – city employees, officers, elected officials and members of boards and commissions. McIntyre said the identities of employees requiring confidentiality, such as undercover police officers, would not be made public.
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