Comments on: Right to Know, Need to Know, Want to Know http://blog.newsok.com/okccentral/2009/03/09/right-to-know-need-to-know-want-to-know/ The Oklahoman's Steve Lackmeyer covers downtown OKC brick by brick. Thu, 16 Feb 2012 16:15:30 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 By: Steve http://blog.newsok.com/okccentral/2009/03/09/right-to-know-need-to-know-want-to-know/comment-page-1/#comment-2093 Steve Tue, 10 Mar 2009 02:15:14 +0000 http://blog.newsok.com/okccentral/2009/03/09/right-to-know-need-to-know-want-to-know/#comment-2093 UPDATE: I've had a follow-up discussion with the entity in question here. I doubt this is going to happen again. Ultimately, I'll get the story I was going after to begin with. But I want the people in question to understand that while it might be possible to keep reporters out of such meetings, it won't be without it being brought to readers' attention in the future. You have made it clear you want to be kept informed of what's going on downtown. Thank you. UPDATE: I’ve had a follow-up discussion with the entity in question here. I doubt this is going to happen again. Ultimately, I’ll get the story I was going after to begin with. But I want the people in question to understand that while it might be possible to keep reporters out of such meetings, it won’t be without it being brought to readers’ attention in the future.
You have made it clear you want to be kept informed of what’s going on downtown. Thank you.

]]> By: Eric http://blog.newsok.com/okccentral/2009/03/09/right-to-know-need-to-know-want-to-know/comment-page-1/#comment-2092 Eric Tue, 10 Mar 2009 01:50:15 +0000 http://blog.newsok.com/okccentral/2009/03/09/right-to-know-need-to-know-want-to-know/#comment-2092 Hell yeah! Hell yeah!

]]> By: Nick Roberts http://blog.newsok.com/okccentral/2009/03/09/right-to-know-need-to-know-want-to-know/comment-page-1/#comment-2091 Nick Roberts Tue, 10 Mar 2009 01:39:03 +0000 http://blog.newsok.com/okccentral/2009/03/09/right-to-know-need-to-know-want-to-know/#comment-2091 ^ 100% not 1005. haha. ^ 100% not 1005. haha.

]]> By: Nick Roberts http://blog.newsok.com/okccentral/2009/03/09/right-to-know-need-to-know-want-to-know/comment-page-1/#comment-2090 Nick Roberts Tue, 10 Mar 2009 01:38:29 +0000 http://blog.newsok.com/okccentral/2009/03/09/right-to-know-need-to-know-want-to-know/#comment-2090 Brent, I agree with 1005 of what you have said. I don't see this as a Freedom of Information issue. There is a lot of gray area though. Is Steve a mere reporter? What is Steve's role in downtown? Is Steve a true insider, and does Steve have worthy insight to contribute to the pot? That's what I think. This town is small enough that it's all about relationships, keep that in mind. I've watched development projects get shot down because of personal feuds (ie, everyone v. Bob Funk) and I've seen relationships formed that have worked well for this town. Ironically in OKC, downtown is the most community-oriented district there is. What is the role of someone like Steve in the overall community of downtown? In the end, yes he reports to a boss (the Dark Tower), but at the same time, he can't do anything without the relationships he must have formed covering downtown for decades. And then you get to the kind of special insight that must be involved when someone has covered downtown for decades. Who in their right mind wouldn't want him in on closed door discussions? Brent, I agree with 1005 of what you have said. I don’t see this as a Freedom of Information issue. There is a lot of gray area though.

Is Steve a mere reporter? What is Steve’s role in downtown? Is Steve a true insider, and does Steve have worthy insight to contribute to the pot? That’s what I think.

This town is small enough that it’s all about relationships, keep that in mind. I’ve watched development projects get shot down because of personal feuds (ie, everyone v. Bob Funk) and I’ve seen relationships formed that have worked well for this town. Ironically in OKC, downtown is the most community-oriented district there is. What is the role of someone like Steve in the overall community of downtown?

In the end, yes he reports to a boss (the Dark Tower), but at the same time, he can’t do anything without the relationships he must have formed covering downtown for decades. And then you get to the kind of special insight that must be involved when someone has covered downtown for decades. Who in their right mind wouldn’t want him in on closed door discussions?

]]> By: Brent http://blog.newsok.com/okccentral/2009/03/09/right-to-know-need-to-know-want-to-know/comment-page-1/#comment-2089 Brent Tue, 10 Mar 2009 00:21:05 +0000 http://blog.newsok.com/okccentral/2009/03/09/right-to-know-need-to-know-want-to-know/#comment-2089 It seems that if actual public policy is being decided, then a reporter should be available. The setting of public policy should always be open for "public" hearings and comments. This was the main impetus for the Open Meetings Act (how much of a public or quasi-public this entity is, makes a difference though). However, if only possibilities are being discussed or actions unrelated to the determination of public policy, it would make sense that a reporter can not have access, to encourage the free flow of ideas. As pro-OKC as you may be Steve, the mere fact that a "reporter" is sitting in on meetings can certainly have a squelching effect on discussions. Sometimes a crazy idea thrown out in these meetings could eventually result in good public policy, but this may not have come out if a reporter was there. Additionally, if this entity would like a broad measure of public support for whatever outcome occurs, it should be as open as possible and encourage both reporters and the public at large to be a part of its decision-making process. We can see that whatever it going on in this entity is already beginning to negatively influence one Steve Lackmeyer and many of the responses posted here seem to be influenced already by the tone of the posting. Hopefully, we can get some more info on this organization and what matters of public policy are being decided in order to more accurately determine if their meetings should truely be open to the public. It seems that if actual public policy is being decided, then a reporter should be available. The setting of public policy should always be open for “public” hearings and comments. This was the main impetus for the Open Meetings Act (how much of a public or quasi-public this entity is, makes a difference though). However, if only possibilities are being discussed or actions unrelated to the determination of public policy, it would make sense that a reporter can not have access, to encourage the free flow of ideas. As pro-OKC as you may be Steve, the mere fact that a “reporter” is sitting in on meetings can certainly have a squelching effect on discussions. Sometimes a crazy idea thrown out in these meetings could eventually result in good public policy, but this may not have come out if a reporter was there.

Additionally, if this entity would like a broad measure of public support for whatever outcome occurs, it should be as open as possible and encourage both reporters and the public at large to be a part of its decision-making process. We can see that whatever it going on in this entity is already beginning to negatively influence one Steve Lackmeyer and many of the responses posted here seem to be influenced already by the tone of the posting. Hopefully, we can get some more info on this organization and what matters of public policy are being decided in order to more accurately determine if their meetings should truely be open to the public.

]]> By: Nick Roberts http://blog.newsok.com/okccentral/2009/03/09/right-to-know-need-to-know-want-to-know/comment-page-1/#comment-2088 Nick Roberts Mon, 09 Mar 2009 22:51:03 +0000 http://blog.newsok.com/okccentral/2009/03/09/right-to-know-need-to-know-want-to-know/#comment-2088 You're not talking about the Chamber, but I'm pretty sure you're talking about an autonomous agency that reports to the Chamber that gets a portion of the hotel/motel tax. The CVB works on a lot of high-profile projects that are actually competitive bids (for conventions, tournaments, etc) against other cities, and a lot of the competitive nature means they have to be very discreet about what offer they'll make on a bid. Although personally I don't see it as very different from all of the development that only Steve is privy to. Steve is pretty good at not blowing stories up until the involved parties are ready for public exposure. I could go both ways on this. I see and understand the concern about reporters, but I also know that doesn't necessarily mean a particular reporter that is respected by the community as an insider is the same as some green investigative journalist just looking for a big story to expose. That isn't Steve.. If I was the CVB, I personally would welcome Steve to the meetings with the condition that nothing hits the press until we're ready, even if that's months away..because I know it wouldn't be a big deal. If I was Steve though I would NOT open this can of worms.. You’re not talking about the Chamber, but I’m pretty sure you’re talking about an autonomous agency that reports to the Chamber that gets a portion of the hotel/motel tax. The CVB works on a lot of high-profile projects that are actually competitive bids (for conventions, tournaments, etc) against other cities, and a lot of the competitive nature means they have to be very discreet about what offer they’ll make on a bid.

Although personally I don’t see it as very different from all of the development that only Steve is privy to. Steve is pretty good at not blowing stories up until the involved parties are ready for public exposure.

I could go both ways on this. I see and understand the concern about reporters, but I also know that doesn’t necessarily mean a particular reporter that is respected by the community as an insider is the same as some green investigative journalist just looking for a big story to expose. That isn’t Steve..

If I was the CVB, I personally would welcome Steve to the meetings with the condition that nothing hits the press until we’re ready, even if that’s months away..because I know it wouldn’t be a big deal. If I was Steve though I would NOT open this can of worms..

]]> By: Steve http://blog.newsok.com/okccentral/2009/03/09/right-to-know-need-to-know-want-to-know/comment-page-1/#comment-2087 Steve Mon, 09 Mar 2009 22:13:10 +0000 http://blog.newsok.com/okccentral/2009/03/09/right-to-know-need-to-know-want-to-know/#comment-2087 So Ryan, let's play hypothetical here. The Greater Oklahoma City Chamber (which is not the body I'm talking about here) gets city money. Would you describe them as being subject to the open records and meetings acts? So Ryan, let’s play hypothetical here. The Greater Oklahoma City Chamber (which is not the body I’m talking about here) gets city money. Would you describe them as being subject to the open records and meetings acts?

]]> By: Ryan McNeill http://blog.newsok.com/okccentral/2009/03/09/right-to-know-need-to-know-want-to-know/comment-page-1/#comment-2103 Ryan McNeill Mon, 09 Mar 2009 21:52:24 +0000 http://blog.newsok.com/okccentral/2009/03/09/right-to-know-need-to-know-want-to-know/#comment-2103 When all else fails, the law can be your friend... In the Oklahoma Open Meetings Act, this group could be considered a public body for the purposes of the law: "Public body means...supported in whole or in part by public funds or entrusted with the expending of public funds..." I'm not a lawyer, and don't know the specifics of your situation, but I'd use this portion of the law and force them to explain why they aren't covered by it. When all else fails, the law can be your friend…

In the Oklahoma Open Meetings Act, this group could be considered a public body for the purposes of the law:

“Public body means…supported in whole or in part by public funds or entrusted with the expending of public funds…”

I’m not a lawyer, and don’t know the specifics of your situation, but I’d use this portion of the law and force them to explain why they aren’t covered by it.

]]> By: Brian http://blog.newsok.com/okccentral/2009/03/09/right-to-know-need-to-know-want-to-know/comment-page-1/#comment-2102 Brian Mon, 09 Mar 2009 20:13:04 +0000 http://blog.newsok.com/okccentral/2009/03/09/right-to-know-need-to-know-want-to-know/#comment-2102 I think you should attend and report. But I am confused as to how any private organization (no matter where funding comes from) can make a decision about "actions and policy" without every being heard in public. My understanding is that any construction would have to be approved by the city, and any policy change (rezoning, redefining, etc.) would have to be done in public. What am I missing? I think you should attend and report. But I am confused as to how any private organization (no matter where funding comes from) can make a decision about “actions and policy” without every being heard in public. My understanding is that any construction would have to be approved by the city, and any policy change (rezoning, redefining, etc.) would have to be done in public. What am I missing?

]]> By: Shane http://blog.newsok.com/okccentral/2009/03/09/right-to-know-need-to-know-want-to-know/comment-page-1/#comment-2101 Shane Mon, 09 Mar 2009 19:55:25 +0000 http://blog.newsok.com/okccentral/2009/03/09/right-to-know-need-to-know-want-to-know/#comment-2101 I would say as a private organization they are allowed (entitled) to have private meetings no matter what they're talking about, but it would be responsible for them to put together their own press release if they don't want the media there. I would say as a private organization they are allowed (entitled) to have private meetings no matter what they’re talking about, but it would be responsible for them to put together their own press release if they don’t want the media there.

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