‘Twisted’ information
Dear editor:
It is not unusual to see one’s name in a Sentinel-Record front-page article, but it can be shocking when the purported “news” associated with one’s name is fabricated or totally incorrect. The article “City gets ‘barrage’ of FOIA requests” of May 19 is a prime example of how twisted information can warrant front-page coverage.
Firstly, the headline itself is totally inaccurate due to the simple fact that no one requested the reported “barrage” of requests from the city. It is factual to say that FOIA requests were made for specific expenses and various other items, but these requests, in no way, constituted a “barrage.” Rather than send a summary sheet of the requested information, the city responded to a FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) request for specific expenses with 8,964 pages of worthless data (to the layman) being sent (see attached requests and responses). Apparently, the city decided that they could legally comply with the simple request by downloading and sending the city’s entire database of expenses. With no legend for the various coding used, most listed items cannot be defined, which results in worthless information. The other possibility is that by sending 8,964 pages of unrequested data, this would allow the city to complain on the front page of The Sentinel-Record that citizens were asking for too much information and causing some of the city’s 600-plus workers to be overburdened to the point where city services would be slowed down.
Secondly, the undefined amount of time city officials admitted they could not determine should be better documented before whining about it. For example, how many computer keystrokes are required to download and send an entire database when compared to sending a summary sheet of that data? Likely, almost no difference.
Thirdly, known untruths were published. For example, the final sentence of the article stated, “Bob Driggers asked for the Lake Ouachita Reallocation Study.” I challenge anyone with the city to produce this FOIA request, because it does not exist. The fact is, following a city board meeting, the deputy city manager offered to provide a copy of that document to Bob, which he provided a few days later.
Fourthly, the public deserves to know facts, even if they prove to be embarrassing to city board members and the city manager. This is why the Freedom of Information Act was developed and passed, so that any person, including the press, could access public information that some people would otherwise keep secret from the public.
Finally, although not all persons listed by name in the article are involved, most of those are members of the Concerned Citizens Coalition (CCC) who are working hard to acquire and compile accurate information for use in a Strategic Plan for Hot Springs. Already, approximately eight local groups are assisting in this effort and we encourage any other civic-minded groups, including the city and chamber, to join our efforts rather than attempting to block the positive efforts of so many citizens.
Bob Driggers Hot Springs