I was honored to get a message from Seattle public records hero Armen Yousoufian. He spent ten years trying to get public records about a sports stadium. Finally, the court became so frustrated with with King County that it imposed a $15 fine for every day the documents weren't turned over. The documents still haven't been turned over!
My guess is they have something to hide--and they're happy to waste tax dollars as they keep it hidden.
I checked out Mr. Yousoufian's website, and it's terrific. Lot's of good links, too.
Here's the message from Mr. Yousoufian:
"I just discovered your blog and comments at it about my 10 year plus long old Public Disclosure Act litigation in King County, Washington state, over sports stadium documents I originally requested in May, 1997. If readers want to know more, and want to follow the future litigation in this still ongoing case, they can go to my website or blog, or email me."
www.ArmenYousoufian.com (website);
www.Yousoufian.blogspot.com (blog);
ayousoufian@comcast.net (email).
Showing posts with label People: Yousoufian (Armen Yousoufian). Show all posts
Showing posts with label People: Yousoufian (Armen Yousoufian). Show all posts
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Saturday, September 01, 2007
What's the problem with public records?
King County in Washington has the same problem that we have here in San Diego County: many public entities simply ignore public records requests.
The Seattle Times published the following story on August 31, 2005.
"We can only hope that last week's nearly $300,000 judgment against King County for years of flouting a legitimate public-records request will make an impression on public agencies.
"Armen Yousoufian…acting independently…was able to wrest public documents from an agency reluctant to give them over…
"Last week, Judge Michael Hayden boosted the fine from $5 to $15 a day…
"In 2001, Learned ruled "the county was negligent ... at every step of the way, and this negligence amounted to a lack of good faith." The appeals court ratcheted up its criticism, characterizing the failure to disclose public documents as "gross negligence."
"There is nothing for the county to be proud about here. A better, more reassuring response would have been:
"We screwed up. Big time. We're sorry. We won't ever do it again.""
The Seattle Times published the following story on August 31, 2005.
"We can only hope that last week's nearly $300,000 judgment against King County for years of flouting a legitimate public-records request will make an impression on public agencies.
"Armen Yousoufian…acting independently…was able to wrest public documents from an agency reluctant to give them over…
"Last week, Judge Michael Hayden boosted the fine from $5 to $15 a day…
"In 2001, Learned ruled "the county was negligent ... at every step of the way, and this negligence amounted to a lack of good faith." The appeals court ratcheted up its criticism, characterizing the failure to disclose public documents as "gross negligence."
"There is nothing for the county to be proud about here. A better, more reassuring response would have been:
"We screwed up. Big time. We're sorry. We won't ever do it again.""
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