Astate senator once told us he respected the spirit of the Freedom of Information Act but it was a real pain.

He showed us a few request for information he had received that week. All were from residents of his district and several were based on gossip and rumors rather than real evidence or legitimate questions.

But he said he had to have each of them checked out and he would respond to them,

Like many well-intentioned laws, this one ensures the public as access to vital information.

We do not need a government acting in secret as happens in may other places in the world,

The burden if responding to such requests may increase government costs someone to deal with the FoIA requests.

In contrast, Lexington 1 board member Jada Garris’ requests are worth asking. We have seen them since she sent them to us.

Most voters and taxpayers should view with alarm the district administration’s poor response to them and the lack of support of her fellow board members in making such information available.

Here are a few of the FoIA questions she raised:

• The Architectural Selection Committee written report listing the persons or firms that responded to invitations to submit information and enumerating the reasons for selecting the particular ones to be interviewed for architectural awards dating Aug. 25, 2015 – Aug. 25, 2017.

• Amount paid legal counsel to draft the statement regarding executive session at the Dec. 18, 2018 board meeting.

• All supporting documents for the charges made to Moonshiners and Bubba Gump.  

• All supporting documents for Superintendent’s Petty Cash of $1894.12.  

• The cost of the vehicle provided to David Bennett, Director of Athletics for Lexington 1 and the cost of upkeep for David Bennett’s vehicle.

These appear to be the kind of questions a prudent trustee would ask. Why not answer her to help her do her work as an elected official?

– Jerry Bellune