The Talk of Plymouth, Michigan!

There is a simple solution to the Freedom of Information act.  Be open and straight forward with the answers to the requests.  If it is perceived to be something is hidden to the individual making the request then be open with the answer.  Some of the perceptions of the Township needs to be changed.  So here are some suggestions to solve the FOI problem;

1. Make it simple for the person applying for the information

2. Offer assistance on the wording or what is being requested

3. Keep the FOI requests in the Clerk’s office, because the Clerk’s office is the Keeper of the Township Records

4. Do not refer all FOI requests to the Attorney’s office

5. Let the Police and Fire Departments handle their FOI requests, but send a report of the outcome to the Clerk’s office for a record and a report to the Board.

6. Respond in the appropriate amount of time.

We are about to have a visit from one of the Presidential Candidates.   John McCain and his wife will be in Plymouth next week.  Keep tuned for many more details to follow.  This event has been canceled for the time being.

Things are starting to heat up on the Freedom Of Information front at Plymouth Township. One of the local TV stations recently requested information (regarding a lawsuit against the Township) through the FOI system.

I bet they’ll get what they asked for, and in the timely fashion required by law.  If the Township doesn’t comply, I’m sure we’ll see another lawsuit, this one from the TV station.  I wonder if the Township has ever been sued and lost for not giving information in a timely fashion, or for not following the FOI statute?

To further complicate matters, there is also a dispute about who in Township government is responsible for the Freedom of Information Act responses.  Through Board action many years ago, the Clerk’s office was identified, since that office is responsible for keeping Twp records.

I believe it should stay in that office, because of the records.  The only exceptions should be the Police and Fire Departments, because of the amount of requests they get.  Nevertheless, these departments need to track the requests for the Board and the public.

I have been an advocate of schools of choice for many years and happily welcome the growing number of options we have in our area. I continue to believe parents should have the final decision on where they want their children to get an education. The Plymouth Canton School District is an excellent school system, but parents in this district should still be able to send their children where they want or home school if they choose. The real issues are money and Charter Schools. No matter where the money comes from or who it goes to, the concern is the quality of education the Child receives and the parent involvement in the process.

Let me clear up a few misconceptions about charter schools. They are not private or religious schools; they are public schools. They do not (and cannot) charge tuition to attend. In terms of public funding, curriculum, student body, government oversight and most other aspects, they are identical to “traditional” schools, except that they are not typically organized into a district. Charter schools do not (and cannot) hand-pick their students. Provided there is enough room in the building, any child who applies to the school must be accepted–including special needs students.  Once grades are full, if positions open later, those are filled by a public lottery.

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What is FOI and how does it effect our community?  What brought down the Mayor of Detroit and has created an inside look at the Detroit Government?  The answer is, the Freedom of Information Act (FOI), which the Detroit Free Press used to gather information to show the corruption occurring in Detroit.  Do we have that kind of corruption in Plymouth Township?  Absolutely not, but should we be able to get information when requested?  Yes.

The FOI system in Plymouth Township needs to be made user friendly and it currently isn’t.  There is a time and place to keep some information from the public and it is identified in the FOI act.  Lawsuits are not something that should be kept from the public eye, as in Detroit.  It is public money that is being spent and handed out.  I believe the public has a right to know the cost of these settlements and what they were for.  A statement was made at a Twp. Board meeting that a settlement was made in a lawsuit, but it’s confidential.  That is wrong and has proven to be so in a court of law, because of the use of public money. 

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This past weekend Plymouth and Plymouth Township were hit by a tornado.  I believe this is the third tornado to hit this area in the past 20 years.  Each time it has been without warning.  This time the damage done was quite extensive, and the emergency response has been great.  The Plymouth Fire Department and Police services deserve the highest of praise from all of us.  The local governments cooperation is as it always at the highest level.  Boundaries between the communities disappear and things get done.  We were very fortunate there were minor injuries and no deaths.  Everyone that was left homeless is being taken care of with little disruption to their lives.  This demonstrates what great governments we have and what fine communities we live in.  Thanks again to all of the local public services for their hard work during this time.