Despite legislation, Port Authority of NY/NJ still not honoring OPRA

(UPDATE 2/2/17):  In what may be the first GRC complaint filed against the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey since it became subject to OPRA in June 2015, the GRC ruled on Jan. 31, 2017 that the Authority violated OPRA by seeking “at least 3 weeks” to review a request (that was ignored Read More …

Mayor: Bloomfield subpoenaed in councilman’s bribery case

Following news of bribery charges involving a Bloomfield Councilman, the Council is planning to adopt a local pay-to-play law (hopefully stronger than the state law) and form a local Ethics Commission. Ethics is a hot topic these days. Search our website to read more about related issues, like ethics reform bill S729 and NJFOG’s petition for Read More …

Disturbing signs from Sussex-Wantage board

This editorial concerns an unauthorized purchase that a board of education subsequently voted to pay for after initially voting against the purchase at a prior meeting.  The editorial raises important questions.  For instance, why are public documents that would answer simple questions, such as when a purchase was made, being withheld from the public?  -NJFOG Dec. 3, Read More …

Chester Township works to maintain, protect records

It’s always nice to see local governments taking steps to better organize and maintain their records. – NJFOG December 2, 2015 By MARK KITCHIN Staff Writer Observer-Tribune (article here and re-posted below) CHESTER TWP. – Records and how to keep and protect them was the subject of much of the Township Council meeting on Tuesday. Read More …

Activist seeks to force Passaic County to disclose cost of civil rights settlement

Settlement agreements entered into by governmental agencies are public documents.  That is well-established.  (See our Knowledge Corner HERE.)  This OPRA case is interesting in that it concerns disclosure of the terms of the settlement before its final drafting and adoption by the governing body. – NJFOG December 2, 2015 (updated 12/3/15) By Richard Cowen staff writer | The Record Read More …