Federal Way Mirror editor wins open government Key Award

Carrie Rodriguez, editor of the weekly Federal Way Mirror, received the Washington Coalition for Open Government’s (WCOG) Key Award for winning disclosure of public information that Federal Way city officials had wrongly withheld.

May 1, 2014 7:43 pm
Washington Coalition for Open Government president Toby Nixon (right) presents a Key Award to Mirror editor Carrie Rodriguez (center) on April 24. Also pictured is publisher Rudi Alcott.
Washington Coalition for Open Government president Toby Nixon (right) presents a Key Award to Mirror editor Carrie Rodriguez (center) on April 24. Also pictured is publisher Rudi Alcott.

Carrie Rodriguez, editor of the weekly Federal Way Mirror, received the Washington Coalition for Open Government’s (WCOG) Key Award for winning disclosure of public information that Federal Way city officials had wrongly withheld.

WCOG President Toby Nixon presented the award to Rodriguez on April 24.

In February, when the Council was considering applications from 20 candidates to fill a Council vacancy, the city initially released only their names. The city declined to release the application packets, contending that Council members are city employees and such “employment” applications are exempt from disclosure.

Rodriguez consulted attorneys, including the state attorney general’s ombudsman for open government, and confirmed that Council members are not legally city employees and such application materials are public records that must be disclosed. She published a column challenging the city to release the information. A week later, the Council held a special meeting and voted to release the application packets.

“Carrie Rodriguez served the community well by insisting on disclosure of information that should be routinely provided to any citizen who asks for it,” Nixon said. “Citizens need this kind of information to evaluate candidates for public office.”

The Key Award recognizes individuals or organizations that have made a notable contribution to the cause of open government. The coalition is a statewide nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that advocates for the people’s right to access government information. WCOG stands for the principle that transparency and public participation are essential building blocks of good government.

The Washington Coalition for Open Government is a statewide nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that advocates for the people’s right to access government information and for the principle that transparency and public participation are building blocks of good government. Membership in the coalition is open to all citizens who want to promote and protect open government.

To learn more, visit www.washingtoncog.org.