Posted on 03/10/2010 11:26:18 AM PST by SoonerStorm09
PHOENIX -- A handful of taxpayers in a small community north of Wickenburg, Arizona are being targeted by the local school district in a lawsuit that asks a judge to declare they have no right to request public records, sue the district, or complain to outside agencies.
The Congress Elementary School District claims that past efforts by these residents to obtain documents such as minutes of board meetings and spending reports amount to harassment that should not have to be tolerated.
But Jean Warren, one of the four defendants named in the lawsuit filed January 28, 2010, said the complaint is an illegal attempt to silence citizens who have questioned the district’s policies and spending practices. “The whole thing is based on trying to shut us down so that nobody has any rights,” Warren said. “Just because you live in a small area does not mean you don’t have rights. Everything I believe about the Constitution and what it means to be a citizen of the USA is being shot down.”
(Excerpt) Read more at goldwaterinstitute.org ...
Wait a second—the taxpayers are just that—PAYING the bill. Don’t they deserve to have their questions answered?
Fights for the Constitution are happening in every corner of the U.S.
Be silent drone. Back to the salt mines with you!
These things just write themselves. Congress, how appropriate.
They should call the FBI office that handles civil rights violations in their area. Or the federal Civil Rights Commission. This is beyond the pale. Haven’t they heard of the right to petition the govt (First Amendment) in that town?!
Countersuit in order here.
Typical mini-me dictators trying to rule over their neighbors.
Hope these people carry this suit right back at them.
they will say it’s just proof they don’t confiscate enough money.
I think you are allowed to charge for production costs, ie., 25 cents per page if that’s their problem.
Pitchforks and torches.
That's harassment??? Asking for the minutes of public meetings and reports on public spending? Someone needs to be voted out of office.
Sounds like Pelosi’s been to see them, tell em how it’s done the House. (Stupid is as stupid does.)
After I started my local blog last summer and began to cover the local government meetings, I had a couple of rounds with the local school superintendent. He didn’t want to let me have agendas and such. There was an exchange of letters and a visit with the local district attorney.
He finally relented and agreed to follow the law. Louisiana has a strong public records law and a decent history of upholding it.
>>The Congress Elementary School District claims that past efforts by these residents to obtain documents such as minutes of board meetings and spending reports amount to harassment that should not have to be tolerated.
>
>That’s harassment??? Asking for the minutes of public meetings and reports on public spending?
Apparently, yes. I think that anything which causes us serfs to ask “by what authority?” or to demand that the proper bounds of authority are respected are termed, by our overlords, to be harassment. [/cynic]
>Someone needs to be voted out of office.
You’re more kind than I. I would be pushing for some more violent reaction... possibly involving a sticky petroleum substance and fowl’s plumage.
Except in NY.
With the way the current administration is going, I don't think the federal Civil Rights Commission would even hear the complaint.
Sadly, you’re probably correct...
ping
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