Public data and corporate evasion

I wish the Duluth News Tribune would demand public data like the tiny little Timberjay has.

The article begins:

Johnson Controls, Inc. violated state law when it attempted to deny access to financial documents requested by the Timberjay Newspapers that related to the ISD 2142 facilities plan.

That is the determination of Ryan Church, Acting Commissioner of the Department of Administration for the state of Minnesota, who issued an advisory opinion on the matter on Monday.

“This decision is a major victory for the public’s right to know,” said Timberjay General Manager Jodi Summit. “The documents in question were produced at public expense for a public purpose and Johnson Controls never had any right to keep them secret. This decision is invaluable not only in this case but for future requests made by the media or citizens,” Summit added.

This was the legal advice given to me by a private practice attorney who worked for the State Department of Commerce and Industry some years ago. That’s because any business hired by a Government entity becomes an extension of the Government and their work thus subject to public scrutiny.

But what the Hell. In Duluth even the Duluth School District has managed to hide such public data. Thank Goodness for Dr. Dixon that the DNT is not very curious and publishes ridiculous quotes by school board members lauding the Superintendent for his “transparency” without challenge.

About the author