Comments on: Wichita Downtown Development Corporation and City of Wichita refuse to follow Kansas Open Records Act

By: Kansas Open Records, Open Meetings in the news – Earl Glynn On October 28, 2009 | Benjamin B. Hodge — Economic conservative from Overland Park, KS

Sun, 27 Nov 2011 06:59:20 +0000

[...] Records. Bob Weeks from the Voice for Liberty in Wichita is being stonewalled in his open record requests by the Wichita Downtown Development [...]

By: BenjaminHodge.org » Blog Archive » Kansas Open Records, Open Meetings in the news By Earl Glynn On October 28, 2009

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 00:52:49 +0000

[...] Records. Bob Weeks from the Voice for Liberty in Wichita is being stonewalled in his open record requests by the Wichita Downtown Development Corporation [...]

By: BJ

BJ — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 21:35:46 +0000

Larry,

I to would like to thank you for your posts. I’m glad you got Bob the information he requested. I do think that some organizations do anything they can to get around the Open Records Act and I can see why Bob might get frustrated, but in this particular example concerning the WDCC I think Bob and Paul have completely overreacted. The city could have done a better job in responding to Bob’s request, but you got him the information he requested. Thank you again for the work you do. I think they both owe you an apology, but that’s just my opinion.

By: Larry Weber

Larry Weber — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 13:19:29 +0000

Pat, Henry & Others; thank you for the feedback. It is unfortunate that people (& I have to include myself in that) are quick to pre-judge people. Wouldn’t it be nice if we all started from a trusting position of others until they give you reason to not trust them. I am a glass is half full guy! Don’t hesitate to contact me for any needs. ph 261 5325, email larry@garveycenter.com

By: Henry

Henry — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 04:23:55 +0000

Larry, you had a great reply and an honest answer, but you have to understand that Bob (like most citizens in ICT) have plenty of reasons not to trust the crowd at 455 N. Main. You being the Chairman of WDCC need to gain the trust of all the stakeholders. Trust is earned not automatically given. The leadership at the City legal department use their position to intimidate the citizens and in many instances invent their legal opinions, consequently, you became “collateral damage”. Welcome to Wichita!

By: Pat

Pat — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 18:13:45 +0000

Good reply Larry. You have handled this very well.

By: Larry Weber

Larry Weber — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 06:18:53 +0000

Paul – I am not sure what you are referring to with the Lawyerly comment. Bob made a request of the City. He did not copy us or call us. The City replied to his request – is that where you see a lawyerly tone? When Bob did send a request to myself and the WDDC last Friday afternoon he cited a court case between the Topeka Journal and Schools for Fair Funding saying that the courts ruled in favor of the Journal. Having never heard of that I did look it up and what I found was that the case was settled out of court before it went to trial. In my reply on Monday I asked Bob if what I read was correct or was I in error and I asked if there was something more specific he wanted so I could get everything pertaining to that issue. I don’t think that was a lawyerly request. Bob and I met today and I asked why instead of answering my question he post in the blog that I denied his request. His reply was basically that by my asking for more specifics that is a line he has heard from others and in those cases it meant they were stonewalling. We agreed that I have never given him a reason to mistrust anything I say and therefore I should not be lumped in with others. If he or you have a question about what I say call me (261 5325) email me and I will do my best to clarify. My wife will tell you (and I will agree) that I am not the best as expressing myself be it writing or speaking. I did give Bob what he requested today. Hopefully I have answered your question.

By: Paul Soutar

Paul Soutar — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 04:05:51 +0000

Mr. Weber, If you and WDDC were so interested in fulfilling Bob’s request, why the lawyerly citation of statutes in denying the request? Are you saying you and WDDC had nothing to do with the lawyerly denial? If so, what’s up with such a fundamental difference between WDDC and the City?
Government and quasi-government bodies making use of taxpayer funds should be open to public inspection. Period. Anything else should be treated as an attempt to take and use the citizens’ money without oversight.
KSA 45-216: “It is declared to be the public policy of the state that public records shall be open for inspection by any person unless otherwise provided by this act, and this act shall be liberally construed and applied to promote such policy.”

By: Pat

Pat — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 22:48:20 +0000

Oh PUHLEEEZE. Instead of trying to make a political statement, all Bob has to do is call Larry and go get what he wants. Nothing hard about that.

By: Kansas Open Records, Open Meetings in the news

Kansas Open Records, Open Meetings in the news — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 15:46:30 +0000

[...] Records. Bob Weeks from the Voice for Liberty in Wichita is being stonewalled in his open record requests by the Wichita Downtown Development Corporation [...]