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Highlands Today

Public Records Are Critical To All Of Us, But There Is A Limit

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 16, 2008

Floridians are lucky to live in a state that requires their government at all levels to operate in the sunshine, where almost every record and meeting is open for all to see. That's the only way a democracy can thrive, and the best way to stop corruption before it starts. It's a basic tenet of what Highlands Today believes, and critical to our role as public watch dogs. However, there are times when this is carried a bit too far, and that's apparent with a case sweeping across the state.

Lakeland resident Joel Chandler has requested the names, addresses, ages and telephone numbers of every person covered by school district health insurance plans. A judge has upheld his right to this information.

Some districts are supplying this information for free, others haven't answered his request and Highlands County says that information will cost him $2,800. Local school district attorney John McClure said the district does not have that information saved electronically and it will require that much money for a clerk to gather the information, redact Social Security numbers and other confidential information, and produce it.

First off, it's ridiculous that Highlands County - or any governing body - does not have information that the public has a right to access in an electronic format that is easily accessible at the cost be minimal. The district must change this immediately and step into the 21st century.

Secondly, though, we don't believe that the public has the right to get the names and phone numbers of school district employees' family members as part of a public records request. The information about health benefits for school district employees should be accessible, but there are limits. The legislature must address this situation.

Editorializing that any public information be limited is a tough call for us, because we depend on it - and so does the public. But some information, especially about our families, does not fall into the "public's right to know" category.

We will continue to exercise our right to public documents and meetings, and so should every citizen. It's a right we must use and understand. We also must understand that privacy is also a right. If a person is a public employee, the public has the right to have access to compensation, the benefits provided and other information. After all, the public pays for all of this. But in-depth information on these employees' families is out of bounds.

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