Barbour's idea of open government too costly

April 18, 2008 11:20 am

— To the editor:
In February, Gov. Haley Barbour was openly challenged to do more to cleanse Mississippi of its image of being one of the most secretive states in the nation and help open the doors of government to the people who have never really had access to the business of their government.
Apparently, he is now enrolled in classes taught by attorney general, Jim Hood and has no intention of leading the way to update the laws on openness to ensure that government is more accountable.
Proof of the governor’s refusal to assist in strengthening the laws to convince the people that public records are offered freely and heartily is the “staggering bill” of $14,170.48 that his office recently presented to The Clarion-Ledger for making available a few copies of e-mails. Thanks to this newspaper, the people now know that our present governor is one of the many public officials responsible for keeping the doors of government closed. Such extreme costs will place public records “out of reach of ordinary citizens.”
Not one penny should be paid for access to these records and the stubbornness and arrogance displayed by members of the governor’s staff turns the clock back in time to the days when the people, for fear of reprisal action, did not dare question public officials on their wrongful decisions.
The newspapers of the state did an outstanding job in February by trying to shed a little light on a “culture of secrecy” in Mississippi. News organizations may be our only hope for having any semblance of good government in this state until our lawmakers and law enforcement officials, understand that the people have a right to know, at little or no cost, of what goes on behind the closed doors.

— Dewey E. McKee
Waynesboro