FOI victory
Citizen wins. Barbara Cockrell, the Carver School parent who sued Cycle Breakers under the Freedom of Information Act for information from the organization which works with people on probation, won her case today. She argued, successfully, that the organization's records should be open because it was supported in part by public funds, including money from Pulaski County and fees ordered to be paid by probationedrs in Judge Willard Proctor's court.
Cockrell has been looking into the agency because of its effort to open a center near the elementary school. But there are larger questions about the organization because of the dearth of information about its source of funds and accounting for them. A legislative audit is in progress.
Judge John Plegge said the information was public and should be released to Arnold by next Friday. Since she represented herself, Cockrell couldn't get an attorney fee award. But the judge did order Cyclebreakers to pay her filing fee. No word if they'll follow the rule of secretive and suspicious-acting public officials throughout the county courthouse and appeal.
Comments
I give up. Who's this Arnold, and why are the records being released to her?
ARK. BLOG: I screwed up. Cockrell is the plaintiff. Arnold is her maiden name. I forgot. It's corrected now.
Posted by: Pavel![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.arktimes.com/blogs/arkansasblog/nav-commenters.gif)
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June 29, 2007 06:20 PM
I'm guessing this Arnold is a resident of the state of Arkansas, to whom all local and state officials are answerable.
Posted by: Wanda Tinasky![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.arktimes.com/blogs/arkansasblog/nav-commenters.gif)
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June 29, 2007 07:30 PM
I am glad for her victory; CBreakers should open its records for the public. Proctor's efforts should be applauded for wanting to assist those who have chosen the wrong path; however, he should search for a location that is not in a residential area or one that is in close proximity to a school.
Posted by: honestone![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.arktimes.com/blogs/arkansasblog/nav-commenters.gif)
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June 29, 2007 09:36 PM
Guess everyone has forgotten that the past LRSD board voted to sell the property to Cycle Breakers, thus allowing convicted pedophiles within a few yards of children on a playground. Do you think the current board would do the same? I don't know, just asking.
Posted by: Curious![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.arktimes.com/blogs/arkansasblog/nav-commenters.gif)
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June 29, 2007 10:41 PM
www.bcdinc.org Says its the only faith based center supported by ADAP. (Hoover House). Proctor sends probation people there...and it's supposed to be IN PATIENT and that is just SUCH A JOKE. They don't open the books at that place either...Legislative Audit needs to take a look at the state's funds being spent (wasted) at that site too.
Posted by: ItsWorseThanYouThink![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.arktimes.com/blogs/arkansasblog/nav-commenters.gif)
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June 30, 2007 08:56 AM
I FOI law should be changed to make the award of reasonable attorney's fees mandatory. Otherwise, state and local agencies with staff attorneys ( such as Pulaski County ) can stonewall, appeal, and drive up the cost of litigation making FOI almost meaningless for ordinary citizens.
Posted by: hoglawyer![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.arktimes.com/blogs/arkansasblog/nav-commenters.gif)
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July 2, 2007 10:28 AM