Editorial
The people have the right to know. We have the right — and the duty — to inform them.
As Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis wrote more than a century ago, "Sunshine is the best disinfectant." Cronyism and corruption thrive in the cover of darkness. Our job is to open the blinds and let the sun shine in.
Denise Civiletti
Facts are pesky things. Reporting them is our job.
If a factual report of the records obtained through a Freedom of Information Law request makes officials unhappy or uncomfortable, we’re sorry but our job as a news organization isn’t to protect their feelings. Our job is to report the facts.
Editorial
Hubbard promises a new age of transparency. We’ve got a few suggestions for his to-do list.
Supervisor Tim Hubbard has promised a town government that will reach “a level of transparency…that has not been seen before.” Here's why that's important and what he should do to make this a reality in Riverhead.
Editorial
When it comes to open government, New York’s lofty ideals bear little relation to reality
With no penalties for violations and no enforcement except by lawsuits in State Supreme Court brought by private citizens, it's no wonder officials often act like complying with these laws are optional. There is a better way, if N.Y. state lawmakers were serious about transparency.
Editorial
‘You have to go through our PR firm’: Words that should never come out of a public official’s mouth
“You have to go through our PR firm.” The public might be surprised to learn how hard it can be for a reporter to get an interview with many public officials, who prefer to communicate by email or through intermediaries. It's a terrible trend. Here's why. Editorial.
Editorial
When dereliction of duty is a public official’s best defense, you know constituents are in trouble
Six-figure town contract tasked consultants with neutralizing public opposition by casting residents as "NIMBYs" who spread misinformation.
Editorial
You have the right to see the sausage being made. In Riverhead, it’s out of public view.
Opinion: There's an old saying: "Laws are like sausages. It's best not to see them being made.” We disagree. That's precisely when you need to pay attention.
Guest Column
It’s time to open up Town Hall again
The town supervisor must stop hiding behind COVID and open up Town Hall on May 19. Guest column by Kathleen McGraw of Northville
Greg Blass
When government forgets it is ‘of… by… and for the people,’ it goes underground
In too many instances, we are favored with furtive antics from some (certainly not all) in OUR government whom we have hired to serve and share with the public. At question is how to tackle what's increasingly clear: "We the People" are time and again, "outta the loop."
Denise Civiletti
Open government? Says who?
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?
