It would be very different if the state of Georgia weren't spending
taxpayer money on, for example, funding private business enterprises and
other wasteful endeavors in which government has no business or right to
interfere.
Keeping and maintaining public records, and providing open access to the
same, is not only a duty of government, but a necessity. Without access to
those records, there will be little to no oversight of the state's
activities. This is not a function the government should be allowed to cut,
period. Maintain oversight to prevent waste and fraud, absolutely, but
de-fund, never.
At this point, the Archives barely has the staff needed to process and
maintain the records it is compelled by law to oversee. Further, the Open
Records Act requires that such records repositories (defined loosely as any
agency housing public records) provide access to those records within three
business days. If the Archives loses any more funding, it will not be able
to comply with that law either, thus placing the state in the position of
being sued for breaking its own laws, and thereby costing the state's
taxpayers millions of dollars in litigation fees that could have been
avoided.
This is not in any way an example of a cut to unnecessary services. It is,
instead, an example of a government willfully obfuscating the public's
right to know what actions the government is taking and what activities it
is pursuing. That any citizen of this state believes the Archives should be
closed is appalling, for it shows the equally willful ignorance of the
populace to its duties regarding governmental oversight.
Sincerely,
Dawn Watson
Rabun Gap, GA
On Fri, Sep 14, 2012 at 12:52 PM, Terre Walker <terre(a)thebriarpatch.com>wrote:
I'm probably going to be a lone wolf on this issue but when there
are not
enough funds to cover expenses, one of two things must happen: 1) cut
services or 2) raise revenue (increase fees and/or taxes).
Though it is indeed sad to see this service suspended, I understand the
problems faces by local and state governments. We have faced these hard
decisions in our little town. It is not easy and it is not pleasant, but
it
is necessary. No one wants tax increases. Service cuts are OK except when
it is your ox that is gored.
Sacrifices must be made. It is unfortunate that this is one of them.
t. walker