James H. Smith of Oxford, who recently retired as executive editor of the Bristol Press and New Britain Herald after a long career at newspapers throughout the state, was elected president of the Connecticut Council of Freedom of Information at the group’s annual meeting Tuesday in Hartford.
Richard Ahles, retired news director for WFSB-TV3 in Hartford, was elected vice president. The group’s outgoing president, George Lombardi, general manager of WSHU Public Radio Group in Fairfield, was elected treasurer. Elected secretary was Mary Connolly, retired editorial page editor of the Danbury News-Times.
The council presented an award of appreciation to Andrew J. O’Keefe of Bethlehem, who recently completed 15 years as a member of the state Freedom of Information Commission, also serving as its chairman.
The Connecticut Council on Freedom of Information, established in 1955, advocates open government and was instrumental in enactment of Connecticut’s Freedom of Information Act in 1975.
