Connecticut Council on Freedom of Information
Minutes, April 15, 2015
The meeting was at Wood-n-Tap, 99 Sisson Ave., Hartford.
Present: Jim Smith, Gary Gold, Mitch Pearlman, Dick Ahles, Colleen Murphy, Mary Schwind, Tom Scheffey, John Bailey, Marcia Chambers, Dan Klau, Jeff Daniels, George Lombardi, Steve Kalb, Mary Connolly.
The minutes of the March 18, 2015 meeting were accepted.
Treasurer’s report: Lombardi reported a balance of $14,167.32. He reported the Hartford Courant paid dues of $1,500 in the past month.
Legislative report: John Bailey, our new lobbyist at TCORS Capitol Group, introduced himself. He said a bill on the disclosure of arrest information is moving ahead with approval from the Government, Administration and Elections Committee. This will allow discussions to continue with Chief State’s Attorney Keven Kane, who favors limited disclosures. The legislation was prompted by a Supreme Court ruling that current law doesn’t require the release of more than basic information on arrests.
Bailey said it would help our cause to have a legislator act as a mediator between both sides. State Sen. Paul Doyle, a Wethersfield Democrat who is vice chair of the Judiciary Committee, has agreed to do that. Bailey also has spoken to state Rep. Bob Godfrey, a Danbury Democrat, to take on that role in the House.
Annual meeting: It was agreed the annual meeting will be June 17 at the Hartford Club.
Annual awards: Each year, CCFOI gives the Steve Collins award to someone within the FOI community, the Bice Clemow award to someone outside the FOI community and Champion of Open Government awards in both categories. There was discussion of nominees but no decisions were made. Suggestions should be sent to Jim Smith.
Looking ahead: The next CCFOI meeting will be May 20, 2015 at noon at Wood-n-Tap.