“Sunshine Week” is an annual push to show the importance of open and accessible government in the U.S.
It started in Florida in 2002, after the state legislature attempted to pass a number of laws that would have gutted the public’s right to know.
To mark Sunshine Week, the Valley Indy has been tracking our routine efforts to obtain information from local or state government.
Below is a list of things we’ve been asking about during the past two weeks.
In addition, we’ve chronicled an instance where the public’s right to know intersected with a person’s expectation to privacy and ethical journalism.
MONDAY, MARCH 9
The attempt: Called the Seymour Town Planner to arrange time to look at a site plan that was to be discussed at a March 12 meeting of the Seymour Planning and Zoning Commission.
Why: An agenda on the town’s website indicated the commissioners would be talking about a proposal for 63 “garden apartment units.” Having a look at application prior to the meeting lets the public — in this case, a reporter — follow the conversation at the meeting in a meaningful way.
Result: FAILED. Never received a return phone call.
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TUESDAY, MARCH 10
The attempt: Asked Ansonia officials for a copy of an agreement they had just approved to settle a lawsuit from the city’s library director.
Why: The city’s Aldermen had just voted, without public discussion, to settle a lawsuit filed by the library director last year alleging unfair treatment under the Americans With Disabilities Act.
Result: SUCCESS. Two city officials hesitated after the meeting when a reporter asked for the document because the agreement included a confidentiality clause.
The state Freedom of Information Commission has said repeatedly government can’t settle lawsuits secretly.
The city’s corporation counsel shared the document with the Valley Indy.
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The attempt: A Valley Indy intern requested inspection reports from the state regarding the Ansonia Animal Control facility.
Why: The mayor’s budget includes $30,000 for repairs to the building. We were looking for third-party info on the condition of the facility.
Result: SUCCESS. State’s agriculture department sent the inspection report March 17. The inspection itself happened March 15 — the first inspection of the facility since 2009.
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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11
The attempt: Emailed the Derby building official to obtain how much money is owed to the city by the owners of a blighted property at 226 Hawthorne Ave.
Why: At a public meeting March 10, a legislative subcommittee in the city was talking about entering into an agreement that would see the owner (the Bank of America) pay $3,000 to Derby and begin to improve the house, which is an eyesore.
Result: SUCCESS. Building official immediately emailed a reply, indicated the blight fine on the property was $100 a day, starting on Nov. 7, 2011 (total amount, according to reporter’s math, was $121,500).
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The attempt: Asked Southbury probate clerk for access to a file regarding the estate of Oxford’s Miriam Strong.
Why: The Oxford First Selectman had just held a press conference accusing a lawyer of mishandling the estate, said the matter had been subject to a hearing in Southbury.
Result: SUCCESS. Access to file granted after filling out a one-sentence request to see it. Clerk also provided an audio recording of the hearing within 45 minutes of request (charged $25).
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RANDOM
The incident: A reporter covered the sentencing of an Oxford swindler who cheated his friends out of more than $1 million.
During a court recess, one of the victims asked reporters not to identify him in coverage of the case, fearing it would harm his career.
A federal prosecutor made the same request on behalf of all the victims that had spoken.
Word of the victims’ fears reached the judge. In open court, the judge noted that the U.S. Constitution contains a First Amendment and that court proceedings are public.
He also asked reporters present to be sensitive to the victims’ concerns.
Resolution: The Valley Indy follows the Society of Professional Journalists’ Code of Ethics. The Valley Indy identified a handful of victims who spoke in public, with minimal information about their backgrounds, in an effort to balance their concerns with the public’s right to know.
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THURSDAY, MARCH 12
The attempt: Asked Derby City/Town Clerk for a copy of the minutes from the January 2015 Aldermen meeting.
Why: Looking for information on an after-executive session vote.
Result: SUCCESS. Town Clerk emailed a copy almost immediately.
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Listen to the podcast below to hear us discuss the biggest roadblocks we’ve encountered to getting public information. Article continues after the audio clip.
FRIDAY, MARCH 13
The attempt: Requested copies of food service inspection reports for a handful of eateries from the Naugatuck Valley Health District.
Why: The health district releases the results of its food service inspections every month. The Valley Indy sought the inspection reports to get information about violations at eateries that received poor ratings or scores below 95.
Result: SUCCESS. The health district’s assistant director for environmental health responded to a FOI request within a half-hour and said a reporter could stop by NVHD offices anytime Friday to look at the reports. The reporter did so and was provided immediate access to the reports upon requesting them.
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MONDAY, MARCH 16
The attempt: Asked Ansonia’s personnel director how much the salary of the city assessor is.
Why: The mayor had just named a local resident to be the new assessor, subject to approval from Aldermen.
Result: SUCCESS. Personnel director replied immediately with the figure.
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The attempt: Called and e‑mailed the state Department of Correction’s public information office seeking information regarding the transfer of inmate Karen Guillet from a prison to a halfway house.
Why: A person said Guillet, the former tax collector for the town of Oxford who received a four-year prison sentence in November 2012 for stealing nearly $250,000 from town coffers, was out of prison.
Result: SUCCESS. About three hours after the Valley Indy’s initial e‑mail, a spokesperson for the state’s prison system called back with information. The spokesperson provided more information in a subsequent email.
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TUESDAY, MARCH 17
The attempt: Emailed Derby City/Town Clerk for access to contract regarding land purchase involving the City of Derby.
Why: For story about said purchase. Contract had sale price and other details.
Result: SUCCESS. Town Clerk emailed a copy within an hour of request.
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THURSDAY, MARCH 19
The attempt: Emailed Derby schools for a copy of the proposed budget Thursday morning in advance of a budget discussion scheduled to happen Thursday night.
Why: Having a copy of the document under discussion allows the public to follow the conversation in a meaningful way. It also enables the public to generate questions.
Result: SUCCESS. Superintendent returned email within 10 minutes, document was emailed by business director in less than an hour.
