Proposed rule promotes transparency in contract awards. Submit public comment by March 8th!

Transparency advocate John Paff has gotten traction on a rulemaking petition he submitted to the Department of Consumer Affairs / Division of Local Government Services (DCA/DLGS) aimed at increasing public disclosure of contract awards. The proposed rule would require disclosure of the contract amount in the chief financial officer’s certification of available funds. The CFO’s certification Read More …

Open Government Advocate John Paff featured in the Press of AC

This great article about transparency advocate John Paff talks about his start, his motives, and his court cases, a number of which defined that certain government records — such as settlements — are disclosable. Paff said he wants to teach others how to obtain government records and is “looking to mark out the boundaries of Read More …

Oceanport police punt records destruction investigation to school lawyer

Prosecutor’s office declines to pursue charges against a records custodian, despite a certified statement by a subsequent custodian that the prior custodian destroyed public records without authorization. -NJFOG Nov. 25, 2015 by John Paff NJ Open Government Notes (John’s blog entry is re-posted below.) On February 17, 2015, I asked Detective Gregory A. Lauretta, Jr. Read More …

Fairfield adopts e-mail retention policy

This is a noteworthy example of a governmental agency taking positive, timely steps to improve transparency.  We also applaud the agency’s openness to a good suggestion from the public!  -NJFOG Fairfield Township Informant posted by John Paff Sept. 2, 2015 (Slightly paraphrased below. See the blog post for a link to the resolution.) At its September Read More …