We are fortunate to live in Wisconsin, as our state is committed to good and open government. Part of our law includes the Public Records Law, found at Wis. Stat. §§ 19.31 – 19.39. About a week ago, I contacted our city manager, in reference to the administration of the law.
I have now submitted my first request under the Public Records Law.
I was happy to hear that our most recent Common Council meeting, from Tuesday, February 5th, included a discussion of the Public Records Law. It is a statewide requirement, and more importantly, an expression and commitment to good government. (I will post more about that council meeting separately.)
In every case, there may be the temptation, based on self-interest, to shirk the law, defeat its purposes, or hide and conceal information.
(To see how government may disregard good government, and fall into the temptation of breaking the promises that it makes to its citizens, see my post entitled William Schaefer and Whitewater, in particular, paragraph four.)
We must not allow that to happen in Whitewater.