Does the writer know the man who was so rude - and so wrong? Is the fact
that she's a former employee mean she's carrying baggage other researchers
might not? Or is this jerk just another bureaucrat who thinks the public has
no access to public information? Or both?
There are too many signs that government institutions from law enforcement
to planning to public works and finance all have permission to deny
fundamental constitutional rights to the public that pays them, elects them,
allows them to be employed. They seem to believe that the information they
steward is information only they are entitled to see. This is epidemic, not
an isolated instance, and we'd damned well better raise some real hell about
it - NOW. Our elected officials have been about as arrogant or at least
acquiescent in these practices - and the sooner they're drummed out of
office the better. That goes right to the top of city, county or state
governance.
There is very little information government accumulates that should be kept
from anyone's eyes. Time to raise a ruckus - big time. Like going in with a
gaggle of researchers and demanding these documents and getting louder with
every refusal. All in front of reporters.
--
Andy Driscoll
Saint Paul
> From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> Date: Fri, 09 Feb 2001 16:08:56 EST
> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Subject: [Mpls] Access to Planning Department Files
>
> I've been advised by the List Manager to bring this story to your attention.
>
> Two weeks ago, my employer sent me to the Planning Department to look at and
> photocopy Heritage Preservation files for a project my firm is working on. I
> am former employee of the Planning Department and used to manage these very
> same files; therefore, I know them well, and my current employer thinks it
> best to send me.
>
> I was confronted right at the file cabinet by the current HPC supervisor (he
> used to be the supervisor in charge of the New Zoning Code). Even though I'd
> made an appointment and received HPC staff permission, the supervisor fired
> questions as to why I was there, what project I was working on, who had
> hired my firm for this and what they were going to do with the information,
> were NRP dollars involved, was the HPC included in my firm's contract, etc.
> I couldn't answer every question and this man became angry.
>
> After I left, he apparently grilled HPC staff about why I was there and
> asked the same questions. They smoothed it over as well as they could and
> told me that the next time I should just say what this guy wants to hear.
>
> I was also informed by the Planning Department management that they were
> concerned that I was photocopying files "for an inappropriate purpose" and
> that I was not allowed to be in the Planning Department looking at files
> unless I was working for the HPC. (?) I said, "I don't work for the HPC
> anymore, I work for my boss." The answer I got was, "You know what I mean.
> Only if you're gathering information on a project that the HPC is also
> working on. Any other reason is not appropriate for you to be here."
>
> I do believe I have been suspected of theft. But, aren't these files PUBLIC
> INFORMATION? Even if I were there for my own purposes, don't I have that
> right as a citizen?
>
> I've mentioned this insulting and humiliating episode to other researchers,
> inside and outside my firm. No one reports being confronted or challenged as
> I was. No one else reports having this new policy (if that's what it is)
> with its bizarre restriction placed on them. Everyone expresses horror that:
> 1) this could have implications for other researchers requesting gov't
> information, 2) that I would be treated so shabbily after all my hard work
> in that department.
>
> I wish to thank these researchers for their advice and for their defense of
> my character.
>
> Ironically, the position I vacated at the Planning Department almost a year
> ago has not been filled. Anyone out there got nerves of steel?
>
> Kristine Harley Sheridan Neighborhood
>
>
>
>
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