September 6, 2009

Vernon Dem councilman uses FOI to get pay info

By Vernon Democrats
Topics:
Party News
Town News

By Max Bakke
Journal Inquirer

VERNON — Democratic Councilman Michael Winkler has filed a freedom-of-information complaint against the town, arguing that officials failed to provide him information about legal fees and the mayor’s salary disbursement schedule.

The complaint, filed last month, accuses the town of failing to properly process Winkler’s request. He requested all bills sent to Town Attorney Hal Cummings since Jan. 1, 2007, payroll records for Republican Mayor Jason L. McCoy, and other items.

When reached for comment about the complaint, Winkler said the goal was to put to rest rumors about how much Cummings, who is the Republican Party’s town chairman, was being paid, and whether McCoy received his mayor’s salary in a lump sum.

McCoy said this week that the town expects to provide Winkler with the requested information “in the time period set out in the law.”

The town aims to comply with Winkler’s request “pursuant to FOI law,” he said.

Law requires agencies to respond to requests within four business days of their receipt.

Winkler said that while he received a response from Town Administrator John D. Ward within the permitted timeframe, the complaint aims to ensure that the town complies with the request without delay.

“I expected them to make me make them respond by going to the commission. I don’t expect them to turn things over to me like they should,” Winkler said. “I do not expect this administration to give even basic information to the public or the Town Council in a timely fashion.”

“This is basic stuff we should already know the answers to in the general course of business,” Winkler said this week. “But the facts are not easy to come by.”

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