'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/

Terrill sneaks in "dangerous and wrong" language

Legislators Thursday approved a Senate bill intended to improve the state medical examiner's office but that also would restrict public access to autopsy reports because of last-minute language added by Rep. Randy Terrill, reported The Oklahoman this morning.

For details and a link to the story: http://foioklahoma.blogspot.com/2010/05/terrill-sneaks-in-dangerous-and-wrong.html

In response (by Mark Thomas): I read the bill several times. The language has been out there for quite a while. I think Terrill is correct; it only says the ME doesn't have to release partial or incomplete details of an autopsy - even to DA's or Law Enforcement! The language simply looked like statutory construction language and not any attempt to close anything.


The bill also has language that the ME's office will always be independent from any other state agency (not under control of law enforcement) and that they can contract with third party vendors "except OSBI" without the express consent of the legislature.

The ME's office needed a total makeover and this bill was an honest attempt to do that, in my opinion.

Mark Thomas
Executive Vice President
Oklahoma Press Association

My former college cries FERPA

Yes, I have a semester under my belt at this very college.

(From FOI Oklahoma -- Thought this would be of interest given our universities' broad reliance on FERPA for denying records.)
WYOMING--A Wyoming judge ruled Tuesday to dissolve a temporary restraining order against the Wyoming Tribune Eagle and the Cheyenne Herald that prevented the newspapers from publishing a leaked report concerning the president at Laramie County Community College.

A new way to get Grant County news

Grant County is working on a new and better way for citizens to get Grant County news! For now, the county will utilize the District 2 Web site to release news stories regarding commission meetings, projects, staff, etc. However, in the near future, the county will have its own Web site to publicize county business.

Much more to come. This is just the beginning of what could be a great asset to Grant County folks! I'm excited to be part of these exciting new changes!

Please check out the District 2 Web site to get just a taste (a very, very small taste) of what the future will look like: http://www.grantdistrict2.com/index.htm