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Library board releases investigative report ... not |
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| June 3, 2022 | ||
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By Mike Weland After being denied outright a public records request by the Boundary County Library Board for release of a taxpayer funded investigative report that resulted in a three-month library closure through much of the summer of 2021 to address legal and safety issues raised by four library employee whistleblowers, 9B Media LLC made a second request for the document May 20 in the wake of a tort claim served on the board that alleges many criminal and legal issues, including that of the board's legal existence after 20 years with maybe one election. The response was the affront expected. On May 27 came the reply: |
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On May 31, a second missive; "The library's attorney's will have the redacted Investigative Report ready for you by tomorrow. I apologize for the slight delay. Please let me know if you have any questions." On June 1, two emails from Glidden; at 4:28 p.m. "I am getting it printed for you now. It will be at the front desk to pick up at your convenience," and at 4:41 p.m., "I am attaching the information for you here as well. Have a great evening." |
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The first seven pages of the 33 page
"Investigation of Complaints Involving Library Personnel,"
mainly policy and procedure, were "lightly" redacted. The
remaining 26 pages were egregiously blacked out sufficient to
render the release undecipherable and incomprehensible. It was
accompanied by a
"Notice of Partial Denial of Records Request." In his July 2020 Idaho Public Law Records Manual, Idaho Attorney General Lawrence Wasden writes, "Open government is the cornerstone of a free society. The Idaho Legislature affirmed Idaho’s commitment to open government by enacting the Idaho public records law in 1990. The public records law protects each citizen’s right to monitor the actions of state and local government entities by providing access to government records." Idaho Code Title 74, "Transparent and Ethical Government," addresses the dichotomy between open governance and personnel protection, and the provisions cited by library attorneys Tim Wilson and Rafael Droz, Wilson Law Firm, Bonners Ferry, were soundly slapped down in both Idaho Press Club vs. Ada County and Idaho Press Club vs. Janice McGeachin. |
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At 5:12 p.m. June 1, I responded: |
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Questions or Comments? Send us an email! |
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9B.News Mike Weland, Publisher mike@9b.news 6931 Main St. P.O. Box 1625 Bonners Ferry, ID 83805 (208) 295-1016 A 9B Media LLC publication |
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