The Opinion Blog

Open Victories

Friday’s editorial is a wrap-up of what’s working well when it comes to open government. It includes plenty of links, so if you’ve ever wondered where to find some of this info, it could be worth browsing just for those:

We’re nearing the end of another Sunshine Week, when media outlets across the nation celebrate open government and advocate for more transparency in the halls of power. In past years we’ve used the occasion to call for a variety of reforms, including more robust freedom of information laws in our state, fewer executive sessions at local governmental bodies, better monitoring of those secret meetings and more basic training for public employees on the state’s public access laws. Those concerns haven’t changed.

But while there are still plenty of issues to address across our state and region – and we will continue to point them out – for today at least we choose to see the glass as half full, and we’ll instead celebrate some successes of local institutions. There have been achievements in public access and open government here in recent years and we honor them to spread the worthy ideas and practices to other local governments and agencies.

What We're Watching for in 2013

Sunday’s editorial is our annual piece laying out our priorities as an editorial board for the coming year:

As Myrtle Beach, Horry County and the state continue to grow, issues of all kinds compete for our attention. Election integrity, development, transportation, energy policy, education, gambling, we could spend years and fill books on any of these subjects.

But time and space is limited, so each year, as we on The Sun News editorial board finish celebrating the New Year with friends and family, and pack up the Christmas decorations, we ponder our priorities for the coming year. What are the most pressing needs of our region? What is not being talked about elsewhere? How should we budget our time for the coming year?

FOIA Laws Need More Clout, New Bill Would Provide

Saturday’s editorial comes via the Florence Morning News:

We were delighted to hear that Rep. Bill Taylor, R-Aiken, has re-filed his bill for reforming the state’s Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). It passed the S.C. House 101-1 – shame on Rep. Greg Delleney, the new chair of the House Judiciary Committee, for voting against – but then stalled in the Senate in the final days of the legislative session last summer.

Autopsy Reports Should Be Open

Friday’s second editorial:

In good news for state freedom of information advocates, the Sumter Item newspaper this month appealed a July court ruling that found reports by the state’s coroners are not subject to public inspection. It’s a campaign for public access that deserves to succeed.

Public Meetings, Private Talks

Thursday’s first editorial reminds leaders that just because they got the information in a confidential meeting doesn’t mean they can’t share that info:

Until Horry County Council’s agenda was amended at the last minute Tuesday night, its members had been in line for what promised to be a somewhat patronizing presentation on the need for confidentiality in working out economic development deals. That talk has been put off until the council’s November budget retreat, but its shadow remains.

On the Heels of Truth, Don't Flinch

Thursday’s editorial reminds how our reporters – and newspaper reporters across the state – work hard to get the whole truth, even in the face of determined opposition.

People often tell us that they appreciate it when we get “the real story,” when we ask tough questions and force answers from those in the news. Many of those same people don’t appreciate it quite so much when they’re the ones facing the questions.

Being a good reporter can sometimes mean leaving a trail of upset folks or hurt feelings in pursuit of the truth. Nevertheless, our reporters – and those across the nation – trudge on. One of the most important tools in a reporter’s toolbox has always been the willingness to ask the question that others swallow, to wonder aloud what happened to the emperor’s clothes. Sometimes, this means pushing for information even when those in charge don’t want to give it up or are working hard to make it hard.

Grow Up, Governor

Thursday’s first editorial takes the governor to task for her childish refusal to answer a reporter’s question on Wednesday (not for the first time):

Memo to Gov. Nikki Haley: Reporters ask tough questions. It’s part of their job. Governors are elected to answer tough questions. It’s part of their job.

To refuse to answer those questions because of some personal animus or dislike, as you did Wednesday, is not only petty and childish. It displays a frightening disregard and dismissal of the role of an independent, free press in holding our leaders accountable and in distributing researched and balanced news (rather than sound bites) to the public.

See Democracy in Action

Sunday’s editorial encourages civic-minded folks to turn that impulse to action by going to a meeting or two:

Want to know what’s going on in your town? Want to have a say in the decisions? Want to be involved in making your community a better place? Great. A good place to start? Show up to the meetings.

Every governing body in our area meets regularly in sessions that are open to the public and yet often very sparsely attended. It’s not unusual for the councils that govern Horry County or Myrtle Beach to conduct their business with just a couple of dozen people looking on. North Myrtle Beach recently held a public meeting on its proposed $11 million sports park which just one person attended. They’re hardly the only ones.

Protect the FOIA Bill



Thursday’s second editorial returns to one of our favorite subjects, efforts to reinforce our state’s sunshine laws:

We can’t let a common sense bill to strengthen and reinforce the state’s Freedom of Information Act die on the vine in Columbia. But the bill seems doomed by an ill-advised amendment that would open lawmakers’ emails to inspection.

Horry's Hiring Lets in Light



Friday’s first editorial celebrates the difference this time around in the process of hiring a new county administrator, compared with the back door, closed off decision-making process on display the last time around. (At least so far.)

What a difference a few years make. In 2009, as Horry County searched for a new county administrator, the hunt was plagued by secrecy, with candidates being furtively ushered in unannounced to meetings the public was never told about. Executive sessions were held to discuss the attributes of candidates, beyond the public’s eyes and ears.

After The Sun News complained about such practices, then-County Council Chairwoman Liz Gilland responded by saying the idea of informing the public during the process had just never come up. In hindsight, she said, she’s glad it didn’t, and finding the right person to oversee the county and it’s $300 million budget wasn’t something the public should be worrying about.