A week ago, I requested copies of the application for position on a ballot; treasurers appointments; and annual financial disclosure reports for current council members.
What I received on Friday shocked me. All information pertaining to addresses, phone numbers, and emails were “blacked out.” All of them. For everyone.
I ask for this information on a regular basis. Never, not ever, has this information been redacted.
Over the weekend, I have spoken with Diane Hervol, Samantha Bellows, Lucy Johnson, Ray Bryant, Laurie Luttrell, Jaime Sanchez, and Tammy Swaton. None of these individuals requested that any of their information be withheld.
Under the Open Records Act, this information may NOT be withheld by an elected official unless a request has been submitted to the City “in writing.” A non-incumbent candidate has no right to request any information be withheld. Regardless, it is required that I be informed at the time of my request that such a written request for withholding information is on record. I was no so informed. And by “blacking out” everyone’s information, regardless of whether they requested it or not, I have no idea who may have requested information be withheld from the public.
As I expressed to the Mayor below, one of my main concerns in this information NOT being released is that five of these candidates are running for a seat in a particular district. They must actually reside in that district to be qualified as a candidate. As noted in the past, the public was told that it was NOT the responsibility of the City Secretary nor the City of Kyle to verify the information provided by candidates on their forms. That was up to the press, the public, and their opponents. When that information is “blacked out,” it is impossible to confirm.
What the hell is going on here?
Lila Knight
Kyle
