FOIA could have become an powerful tool for government to keep doors closed. It has required near constant pressure to keep the doors open and to strengthen FOIA to the tool it is today. More work is needed, particularly at state levels where there is such disparity in the FOIA.
Monthly Archives: June 2009
Spinach for Popeye – Or FOIA gets some muscle!
FOIA has changed some over time. No change has been more significant than the 1974 Amendment. FOIA became the equivalent to a citizen's GI Joe interface with federal government with the implementation of this Amendment.
FOIA used to identify problems at many levels.
Many of the things that we take for granted as being the appropriate steps government has taken in order to protect health, safety, and well-being for citizens might not exist today if it had not been for the FOIA (Freedom of Information Act). You may be surprised by some of this information.
Countdown to July 4th and an important birthday.
The 4th of July is one giant birthday party for our Country. Well, something else good was born on that day and is about to turn 43 this year. The Freedom of Information Act. A few minutes of Google Search can yield a lot of very interesting information - for free.
How well do Town of Christiansburgs Officals Perform? A quick survey.
How do Town of Christiansburg officials present to the public. These are the types of things that define whether government is active in engaging and responding to citizens. Here is a little bit of a survey that might get you to thinking and me to 'figuring'!
What is the Comprehensive Plan – A Short View from State Codes. Should changes be made?
Laws concerning what is required in the Comprehensive Plan, when they must be reviewed and modified might be on a collision path with new State Codes.
The Virginia State and Local Government Conflict of Interests Act
Recently, there has been a bit of discussion on the laws concerning conflict of interests. This topic is covered in the Virginia State Codes as the "State and Local Government Conflict of Interests Act. Do you know the law? Should elected officials know the law?
Web source for Soil Survey Maps. Where are minimum standards acceptable?
The United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service has a nice website where you can obtain information about the soil under and around your home, throughout the town, city, county or state where you live. What could this tell you about stormwater?
Win, Lose, or Draw…the Sage Lane Saga. Cul-de-Sac’s going extinct?
Cul-de-Sacs on the endangered species list? Some people are not going to like this but it will certainly remove that 'but I didn't know when I bought it' argument that has plagued many areas where cul-de-sacs became something else as time went by. State of Virginia has all but banned them.
Have you been Soiled?
Nah....that's not what I meant. In a previous post, I noted that there were maps available that show the myriad of soil types found in Christiansburg and how not every property falls into one of the 2 categories discussed in the Comprehensive Plan. There is this great website.....:)
