Editorial: Open government requires transparency

Whether it’s addressing your city council, doing genealogical research at a courthouse or wanting to know how much your local school superintendent makes a year, the common element is access to public information. Not only do newspaper reporters routinely seek this knowledge, but so do citizens wishing to be better informed.

The recent annual meeting of the Virginia Coalition for Open Government serves as a reminder of the importance of transparency and accountability. Sharing your views with your board of supervisors during the public comment period, testifying before a General Assembly committee, and knowing where and how to obtain records under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act are cornerstones to our democracy. (Read more here…)