Virginia open records laws hazy on e-mails
Text size: small | medium | large
Published: August 30, 2008
Former Appomattox mayor John Wilson and three of six council members exchanged e-mails during the last year discussing upcoming votes related to water issues.
Documents released through a Freedom of Information request from two town residents show that in one instance, Wilson e-mailed three council members advising them to rescind a vote on an issue that passed when now-former council member Steve Lawson was absent.
Acting director of the Virginia Open Government Council Megan Rhyne said that according to a state Supreme Court ruling, e-mail communications between council members is not a violation of open records laws.
But this type of communication between elected officials is "not living up to the spirit of FOI" because these discussions are conducted through e-mail and not in the open, she said.
Full Article: <http://www.newsadvance.com/lna/news/local/article/virginia_open_records_laws_hazy_on_e_mails/7901/>