August - September 2002 Edition 

Finding Out What Is Really Going On   A new state law took effect this Summer that allows residents to access Fair Lawn, county and state information.  The law took effect six months after Acting Gov. Donald DiFrancesco signed the measure as his final bill before leaving office.   The Open Public Records Act states that "It is the public policy of New Jersey that government records must be readily accessible for inspection, copying, or examination by its citizens, with certain exceptions, for the protection of the public."   Records Can You Review:  The laws coverage includes the Borough of Fair Lawn, Board of Education, Bergen County, state government, state colleges, fire districts, planning and zoning boards.   Type of Records:  Papers, printed documents, handwritten documents, tape recordings, e- mails, computer records, electronically stored information, books, maps, and photographs.   When You'll Get Information:  Information should be provided as soon as possible but generally not later than seven business days after the request is received,  Some information must be provided immediately such as budgets, bills, vouchers, contracts (including collective negotiations agreements and individual employment contracts), and public employee salary and overtime information.   Why New Law Is A Big Deal:  A requester may now choose to receive records in paper or electronic format if an agency maintains them both ways. Under the old law, a requester could only receive paper.   The state's old right-to-know law granted access only to records that a requester could show were "required to be kept."   If You Get Turned Down:  The state has set up a Government Records Council in the State Department of Community Affairs to determine whether the information should be made public.   If You Find Out Something Really Interesting:  Tell Fair Lawn News.   For more info, see the Government Records Council.