Editorial: Open Government - WTVM.com-Columbus, GA News Weather & Sports

Editorial: Open Government

  • NEWS

  • Friday, May 24 2013 12:05 AM EDT2013-05-24 04:05:05 GMT
    Defense attorneys for Lisa Graham are now asking the judge to dismiss the case. Graham is charged with the capital murder of her daughter. In 2007, 20-year-old Stephanie Shae Graham's body was found
    Defense attorneys for Lisa Graham are now asking the judge to dismiss the case.

    Graham is charged with the capital murder of her daughter. In 2007, 20-year-old Stephanie Shae Graham's body was found riddled with gunshots.
  • Thursday, May 23 2013 11:56 PM EDT2013-05-24 03:56:09 GMT
    Beginning in July, Stewart County will have a new superintendent of schools.  Dianne Watkins was voted in by the school board to replace Floyd Fort, who is moving to Pelham City.
    Beginning in July, Stewart County will have a new superintendent of schools.  Dianne Watkins was voted in by the school board to replace Floyd Fort, who is moving to Pelham City. There have been mixed reviews on the decision, and News Leader 9 has been investigating the circumstances behind Watkins' departure from Randolph County in January.
  • Thursday, May 23 2013 11:49 PM EDT2013-05-24 03:49:03 GMT
    The devastation you see on the television following severe weather, like the tornado that ripped through Oklahoma, may leave some children worried or confused about the images they are seeing.
    The devastation you see on the television following severe weather, like the tornado that ripped through Oklahoma, may leave some children worried or confused about the images they are seeing.

EDITORIAL:  We now know the financial terms of the contract the City of Columbus signed with a local law firm regarding the nearly 6-year long protracted lawsuit against Expedia. 

It took formal open records requests from both News Leader 9 and the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer to force the city to finally explain what the financial arrangement is with the local law firm.  It also took a firm directive from the Georgia attorney general's office to release the information.

The law firm claimed "lawyer/client privilege" in not releasing the information.  There's no problem with that in that they do have a legal obligation to protect their clients. But the same cannot be said for the city and the people who run it.

The media request was based on one simple idea - let taxpayers know if a large bill was waiting to be paid when the nearly 6-year long lawsuit is finally over - perhaps years from now.

After months of secrecy, we finally know - taxpayers will not be on the hook for the many hourly lawyer fees - just any expenses the lawyers have incurred.

What everyone is hoping for is a decision in the city's favor and a big payout so the city can be paid unpaid hotel/motel taxes and the lawyers will get their cut.  

So we think any idea of "funny business" going on behind the scenes has been put to rest.  And let's hope that this simple exercise in "true" open government isn't repeated anytime soon.

General Manager Lee Brantley brings two editorials a week to WTVM.  If you would like to respond to an editorial, write to:

WTVM Editorial Committee
1909 Wynnton Road
Columbus, GA 31906

or e-mail your response to WTVM Editorial Committee.

 

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