"I don’t understand the arguments against Tony Wilkins’ request for more transparency into executive compensation at non-profits that receive money from the City. I know the City already gets reports on total salaries for these organizations, and that it’s easy enough to access individual salary info that’s already public via IRS form 990. I just don’t see how those facts make the request for further data unreasonable. "
And Lex Alexander responds:
"Other than “because they can,” I’ve never understood why government agencies and tax-exempt organizations don’t behave completely transparently rather than just, at best, complying with the letter of the law."
But the fact is: way back in 2010 a blog post by Keith Brown got the attention of a nationwide organization called The Sunlight Foundation who posted:
"On March 19, 2010 Greensboro City Manager Rashad Young sent out a memo to the Greensboro City Council members in regards to e mail accounts and how business is done with the local politicians. Here is what was in the memo . "Council Personal Emails Recently Council has received multiple request for city related emails that are from Council's personal email accounts. We have created an email account named Council_Public Emails. This account was created for your convenience. If you choose to use your personal email account, please forward city business related emails to this address: CPE@greensboro-nc.gov " This is great news to see the City Manager take this step in more transparency in local government. It seems like this move was in regards to request from Kotis Propereties to get emails and text messages from Greensboro City Council members because as we have seen in the past where City Council Member Robbie Perkins was text messaging his developer side kick from the council chambers while the council meeting was going on.. We also had Greensboro City Council member Trudy Wade bust out on Greensboro City Council member Zack Matheny for text messaging Ex City Council Member Tom Phillips during a council meeting so that Zack Matheny can get his marching orders from Tom Phillips.These are just a few examples of what is going on locally but need to be more transparent. It will be interesting to see just how many Greensboro City Council members comply with this new program and if they will start forwarding all city business from their personal accounts to this new e mail. Time for a weekly or monthly access to this email to see who is complying with this memo from the city manager."
Who wants to bet our city council members never forward their e-mails to CPE@greensboro-nc.gov ?
As a matter of fact: That is this morning's public information request. Two years worth.
Update: When I contacted city staff to submit my PIRT asking for 2 years of e-mails to CPE@greensboro-nc.gov I was told they didn't know the e-mail address existed. That hardly shows a process. In fact that shows a complete lack of process.
