would love to find out what rocket scientists came up with this idea. I fully support the sunshine laws and right to know but this is ridiculous. Talk about governmental red tape and the burden to the tax payer. Read this from the bottom and I will leave you with one last thought it is not meant to be a dig on the D’s or R’s just an observation that I agree with.

Wet


'Government is like a baby: An alimentary canal with a big appetite at one end and no sense of responsibility at the other.' - Ronald Reagan

From: Jules Mermelstein [mailto:jules.mermelstein@gmail.com] Sent: Wednesday, November 19, 2008 5:11 PMTo: Leonard, PaulCc: CommissionersGroup; Department HeadsSubject: Re: FW: New PA Right to Know Law - On-line Training

Have you included any of this (Gil's advice) in the budget?
On Wed, Nov 19, 2008 at 3:41 PM, Leonard, Paul <pleonard@upperdublin.net> wrote:
I will keep you posted.

From: Gilbert P. High [mailto:ghigh@highswartz.com] Sent: Wednesday, November 19, 2008 11:52 AMTo: Narducci, Lorraine; Leonard, PaulSubject: RE: New PA Right to Know Law - On-line Training

The new law creates a presumption that all informational material relating to Township matters created by any Township department, by any public official, or by any person dealing contractually with the Township is a public record. There are 30 exceptions, many of which do not apply to municipalities, however the burden is on the Township to identify why a particular exception applies. The new law comes into effect the first week of January, 2009 and will apply to any information materials the Township or any of these people has on hand at that time no matter when the materials were created. It is predicted that an onslaught will occur and we must prepare for it. I recommend the following:

1. Schedule an informational meeting for anyone who might be receiving a right to know request (all department heads and their immediate assistants) so that they understand what their departments must do in order to facilitate a proper response to such requests. This meeting could take the form of getting everyone to view the informational program advertised below. I would then be available to respond to any questions.
2. Schedule an informational meeting for the commissioners for the same purpose. (Note: all correspondence and email generated by a commissioner relating to Township matters can be the subject of a right to know request.)
3. A Right To Know officer must be selected. This Right To Know officer must be able to devote the time to prepare responses and control the process of gathering responsive information – and must have the time to learn the nuances of the statutory requirements, including the application of the various exceptions available. Responding to Right To Know requests must be a substantive part of this person's job description.
4. The Board must pass a resolution designating a Right To Know Officer and approving certain procedures, such as the Township will not accept verbal or anonymous requests – the copying charge for each page of materials (25 cents will be the maximum permitted) – the cost of other forms in which information is held (such as plans, videotapes, etc.).
5. The forms for making a request and responding thereto must be updated.
6. The web site should be updated to provide a link to right to know information – including the form to be used in making a request.
7. The Right To Know policy must be updated, including updating the appeal procedure set forth in the policy.

I will prepare the Resolution and update the policy and the forms. You will need to decide on the scheduling and the selection of a Right To Know officer



Gilbert P. High, Jr.
High, Swartz LLP
40 E. Airy Street
Norristown, PA 19404
610 275-0700
610 275-5290 (fax)
ghigh@highswartz.com

The information contained in this e-mail message is privileged attorney work product and confidential information intended only for the use of the individual or entity named above. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient, the reader is hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution, or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited. If this communication is received in error, please immediately notify us by telephone or reply e-mail and delete the original message from your computer. Thank you.

IRS Circular 230 Disclosure: To ensure compliance with requirements imposed by the IRS in Circular 230, we inform you that, unless High Swartz expressly states otherwise in this communication (including any attachments), any tax advice contained in this communication is not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used, for the purpose of (i) avoiding penalties under the Internal Revenue code or (ii) promoting, marketing, or recommending to another party any transaction or other matter addressed herein.


From: Narducci, Lorraine [mailto:lnarducci@upperdublin.net] Sent: Wednesday, November 19, 2008 10:54 AMTo: Gilbert P. HighCc: Leonard, PaulSubject: FW: New PA Right to Know Law - On-line Training

Gil,

Are we required to pass new ordinances or resolutions regarding the new Right to Know Law. Also, please let us know of any new changes to our procedures for responding to these requests. See Paul's question below.

Thanks,

Lorraine

From: Leonard, Paul Sent: Wednesday, November 19, 2008 10:21 AMTo: Narducci, LorraineSubject: FW: New PA Right to Know Law - On-line Training
Do we have new stuff from Gil?

From: Gail Markovitz [mailto:gmarkovitz@plcm.org] Sent: Wednesday, November 19, 2008 9:13 AMSubject: New PA Right to Know Law - On-line Training


Overview of the New Right to Know Law
A two hour informational on-line training program featuring Terry Mutchler, Executive Director, Pennsylvania Office of Open Records

No travel involved, reasonably priced, this on-line training addresses your questions regarding implementation of the new law.

Don't be out of touch! View the program at a time and place that fits your schedule. Take away material that you can refer to in the future and email addresses for our speakers give you a direct pipeline for the answers to questions as they arise in the future. Visit the link below for the full brochure and registration information.

http://plcm.org/vertical/Sites/{816DF97F-59D7-4E12-B207-1434C6304092}/uploads/{01CB4B1A-47D1-470F-BA2A-A1F32FADB283}.PDF