Everyone can request government documents, thanks to FOIA.
“Every citizen has a right to request a government record,” Justin Brown said. “The worst they can do is turn you down.”
Brown, who is an assistant professor at Winthrop University, used to teach at the University of Florida. He said the state of Freedom of Information in Florida is very open to those who want information.
“Florida is known for its sunshine in more ways than one,” he said.
He cited a controversy in the state when, after NASCAR racer Dale Earnhardt died during a race in 2001, a student news paper was able to obtain autopsy photos of the racer’s body.
Some changes were made to freedom of information law in Florida after that, but, Brown said, the state is still especially “sunny.”
He said South Carolina is in “the middle of the pack,” in comparing the state’s FOIA laws with other states.
An interesting time for FOIA in South Carolina was during the scandal involving Governor Mark Sanford and his hiking trip in Argentina. Brown said journalists were able to use the freedom of information act to dig up travel and expense records detailing where the governor had been.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Sunday, January 24, 2010
York Sheriff's Office lists deadbeat parents
Deadbeat parents will have to face the ire of their neighbors. That's because their faces will be posted on the York County Sheriff's Office Web site if they fail to perform their court-ordered duties.
The Web site lists pictures of the deadbeat parents, along with their age and amount owed. It also lists the date the parent was last seen.
The information is published on the Web site in part to encourage York County citizens to submit tips on the whereabouts of wanted criminals including deadbeat parents. Citizens who have information regarding someone wanted by the York County Sheriff's Office can call 803-628-3059 or 803-327-2021. Citizens can also go to the Submit a Tip page listed on the Sheriff's Office Web site to submit an online anonymous tip.
York County residents can also call Crime Stoppers of York County by calling 877-409-4321. People who use this become eligible to win cash rewards.
The deadbeat parent who owes the most money is Tyrone Glover, 35, of Catawba. He owes $105,699 and has not been seen since June 2007.
Jewon Davis, 26, is the deadbeat parent who has not been seen in the longest time. Davis has not been seen since 1999 and owes $16,714.
The Web site lists pictures of the deadbeat parents, along with their age and amount owed. It also lists the date the parent was last seen.
The information is published on the Web site in part to encourage York County citizens to submit tips on the whereabouts of wanted criminals including deadbeat parents. Citizens who have information regarding someone wanted by the York County Sheriff's Office can call 803-628-3059 or 803-327-2021. Citizens can also go to the Submit a Tip page listed on the Sheriff's Office Web site to submit an online anonymous tip.
York County residents can also call Crime Stoppers of York County by calling 877-409-4321. People who use this become eligible to win cash rewards.
The deadbeat parent who owes the most money is Tyrone Glover, 35, of Catawba. He owes $105,699 and has not been seen since June 2007.
Jewon Davis, 26, is the deadbeat parent who has not been seen in the longest time. Davis has not been seen since 1999 and owes $16,714.
Friday, January 22, 2010
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