Freedom of Information Law

After nearly 20 years of local news reporting, I could fill a book with stories of government officials trying to prevent reporters — and hence, the public — from finding out what they’re up to.

Riverhead Town got a top score on a report card issued today by the Press Club of Long Island, following a 16-month audit of 195 county agencies, cities, towns and villages in Suffolk and Nassau. The Village of Greenport scored a 'C'.

I shouldn't be admitting this during Sunshine Week, but I don't believe open government is truly an attainable goal — in fact I think it's less attainable now in this high-tech world we live in. Ironic, right?