The Freedom of Information Act and the Iron County Reporter

The Iron County Reporter recently published an
editorial concerning the use of the Freedom Of
Information law by citizens seeking information
from the government of Iron County . This brought
several questions to mind.

Which Iron County employee complained?

We heard NO comments from the State of Michigan
or the Federal agencies that were FOIA'd. To my
knowledge the Iron County Reporter NEVER used
the FOIA. They are great at running Press Releases,
Bridge game scores, and Birth announcements. But
then again these require NO imagination or
research. So-called reporters report almost
verbatim about the meetings they attend, and
never ask any questions of the officeholders as
to the reasons for their actions or positions.

The Macomb Daily recently ran a story based on
a report by a committee appointed by the State
Legislators entitled "Are Lawmakers Law Breakers?"

Their report deals with the state legislators
violating the Headlee Amendment. This info could
not have been gathered without the use of the
FOIA Law.

I have heard and seen citizens being told when
they ask a question, by the county officials,
"If you knew what we know you'd understand!"

But they NEVER tell you what they know ! ! !

The above is the opinion and activism of
Ben Smith in Iron River, Michigan.
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