The state Office of Open Records had its 1,000th appeal filed recently.
This was the first year for the new office. It serves those who are fighting state and local agencies for the right to access public documents. The 1,000th appeal was filed by the American Civil Liberties Union.
Most of the appeals filed have been from individuals — not newspapers or special interest groups, according to the office of open records. About 87 percent were from the general public. That’s great news because it shows residents do care about access to public documents. There were some who have suggested that this new office would only serve the media.
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Since January, the office of open records has:
* Ordered the release of records in 145 cases.
* Upheld the decision to keep records private in 298 cases.
* Partially granted or partially denied 79 cases.
* Dismissed 151 cases as moot.
Another 211 cases were withdrawn. About 8 percent of all the cases were appealed to courts after a review by the office of open records. One of those appeals is from York County. The York Daily Record/Sunday News is seeking information regarding 911 calls. The office of open records deemed the records to be public, but the county has appealed that decision.