Press Association joins Countywatchers suit over Union County records

Plainfielders who have ever tried to get access to Union County records through OPRA will appreciate that the New Jersey Press Association has joined Countywatchers in its lawsuit over the requirement that requestors use a mandated form. (Read today's Ledger story here.) This is sure to give the suit some added clout.

Countywatchers has just won a settlement from Union County over the fees it was charging to view public records (view, NOT copy) -- read more here.

One thing that would help everybody would be if the Government Records Council were to set some standards here, and also insist that local governments (which includes counties), get their records AND their request processes online ASAP.

Not to do so only heightens the continued suspicion that government likes operating out of the public's eye.

There is not even consistency about what records need to be requested through OPRA.

Witness my own experience: Last year, when my car was totaled after I had pulled into my driveway by someone in a hurry to work, I got my accident report without an OPRA request and at no charge from the Plainfield Police Division. Of course, it did take three weeks for it to be ready despite a five-day rule (but that's another story).

Earlier this summer, I had a bumper-to-bumper incident at the A&P in South Plainfield. The officer who responded to my phone call just after 5 PM on a Tuesday advised both of us that the accident report would be ready for pickup at the South Plainfield Police station on that Friday morning. Which, indeed, it was.

After I filled out the Borough's standard OPRA request form and paid my fee for the two pages of the crisp, clear and immaculately printed accident report.

So, mileage varies. But should it?

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Ledger: "Suit: Form slows access to records"
Countywatchers: "Countywatchers"

-- Dan Damon

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