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Let the Sunshine in!
By LeslieWilber in For your information
February 18, 2008

I spend a lot of time looking at public records. Public -- that's the operative word. You can look at them too. And you should.

Maybe you want to know the average assessed value of homes on your block, what your new girlfriend's arrest record looks like or how much money the city paid to repair the road in front of your mom's house in 2003. All that info -- and lots more -- is available to you. You just have to ask.

Here's my Sunshine Week 2008 Challenge:

Before March 22, make a public information request to a city, county, state or federal agency. I recommend using the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas sample letters as templates. This site should tell you everything you need to know to get started.

Keep me posted on how your request is going, either through this blog or at lwilber@vicad.com. I'm glad to answer questions, too.

All entries must be made by March 22 -- the end of Sunshine Week. I'll announce two winners -- my favorite entries. I'm a capricious judge -- I'll be looking at how interesting the information you requested is, the lengths you went to to get it and how you summarize what you've done. My two favorite entries win A VERY COOL OPEN GOVERNMENT TEE-SHIRT DESIGNED AND PRINTED BY ME!

Good luck!

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