The website includes background on the new Comptroller’s Office of Open Records; posting of informal advisory opinions produced by the office; and contact information for citizens to submit inquiries, concerns and questions regarding access to local government public records.
Director Ann Butterworth and Open Records Specialist Elisha Hodge jointly staff the new office, funded by the General Assembly in 2007. They will assist citizens in obtaining open records from local governments, both in guiding citizens to correct offices/officials and in working to resolve disputes regarding access. The effort is addressed both to citizens and to local governments. “The office will answer questions and provide information regarding open records to any person, including local government officials,” said Ms. Butterworth.
The office also will informally mediate and assist with the resolution of issues concerning open records laws when a citizen is not satisfied with the response by a local government to his or her records request. Currently, the General Assembly is considering legislation that would provide express statutory authority for the office. “Whether we are called ombudsmen or ombudspersons, our focus is the same,” Ms. Butterworth explained.
The mission of the Comptroller’s Office of Open Records is to improve the quality of life for all Tennesseans by making government work better. “Having a government that is open and accessible fosters an atmosphere of trust and accountability,” stated Ms. Hodge. “My work in the office over the past couple of months opened my eyes to the fact that Tennessee citizens truly feel that government accountability can be ensured through use of the Tennessee Public Records Act and the Sunshine Laws.”
The website and toll-free phone number are being announced in coordination with Sunshine Week March 16-22, a national initiative to open a dialogue about the importance of open government and freedom of information. Ms. Butterworth and Ms. Hodge also plan to conduct public outreach programs to create awareness and educate citizens about Tennessee’s open records laws. Learn more about Sunshine Week at www.sunshineweek.org.
Citizens may e-mail the Office of Open Records at open.records@state.tn.us.
— 
— 
— 
Comments may take up to 10 minutes to appear due to site cache.
User Comments
Is this going to apply to Sevier County or is it going to be like everything else the state passes? The local government officials just ignore stuff like this.
If they ignore you please let me know bjohnson118@yahoo.com
They've been ignoring us and the State for YEARS!
So long as there is no penalty for ignoring the law, we won't see any change locally. Government officials want to regulate the media because they are afraid if tourists know how many tourists file reports of thefts from motel rooms, cars, and muggings, it might deter some tourists from coming to Sevier County.
If I had known that there were five theft reports at Budget Inn before I stayed there I would still have the $600 cash and credit cards that was stolen from our room while we were in the pool on the first night of our vacation. My wife, three kids and I had to turn around an go back home. It ruined our vacaton. Although I identified a suspect, the PF Police never followed up and told me to file a claim on my insurance or sue the motel. In reality they never planned to do anything because it might make the news and stop someone from spending money in PF. Not doing anything also protected their friends so they can continue stealing from other tourists.
When a newspaper reporter asked for a report on crime in Sevier Co. the sheriff's office told them, "We don't like for those things to be made public." and refused to produce it.
Add Your Comment!