'I can do everything through Him who gives me strength'

It’s in this quietness I think the most. Amidst the loud hum of the computer tower and occasional pounce of the robust cat I ponder God’s plan for me. I know I am in the right place, but should I be moving? I feel like I am getting ready to be moved, like it or not.

Congratulations to one of Oklahoma's finest journalists!

Publishing five community newspapers definitely deserves some kind of award! There is none more deserving than Jeff Mayo.

http://www.nnaweb.org/?%2Fnnaweb%2Fnnanews02%2F1594%2F

NWOSU gains not-so-good national attention

Northwestern Oklahoma State University's claim that a federal privacy law prohibits it from disclosing which students receive scholarships funded by Alva's sales taxes is another example of why the statute is "broken," said the executive director of the Student Press Law Center.

To read the full posting: http://foioklahoma.blogspot.com/2010/06/nwosus-ferpa-claim-for-secrecy-garners.html

NWOSU cries FERPA for scholarship recipients

An Alva city councilman last week questioned the claim by Northwestern Oklahoma State University officials that a federal privacy law prohibits them from disclosing which students receive scholarships funded by the city's sales taxes, The Alva Review-Courier reported Sunday.

NWOSU officials had provided the names for the past decade under a 1999 agreement with the city.

NWOSU also requires students receiving the scholarships to sign a FERPA form permitting the school to notify their hometown newspapers, reported Helen Barrett of The Alva Review-Courier and an FOI Oklahoma board member.

The Alva city attorney -- who is married to the NWOSU president -- told the councilman he could cited for violating a federal law if he gave the list to folks not on the Council.

The blog posting explains why FERPA wouldn't seem to apply.

http://foioklahoma.blogspot.com/2010/06/nwosu-claims-ferpa-prohibits-disclosure.html

The next excuse for denying access to government records?

The next excuse for denying access to government records?


The Lawrence city payroll, obtained by the Boston Herald under the state public records law after a two-month battle, was delayed while officials made sure no “enemies” were behind the request.

City Attorney Charles D. Boddy Jr. said he was “sitting on and forgetting about” the Herald’s request for weeks while he studied the paper trail.

Lawrence has “a lot of enemies,” he said, and must take its time probing every request.

http://news.bostonherald.com/news/politics/view/20100518city_blames_delay_of_records_release_on_enemies/