From the Warren Record (8/2/11): Once again, Lake Gaston resident June Gibbs is having trouble getting public records, and an attorney says the county is violating state laws that help ensure the government conducts the people's business out in the open.
Gibbs helped secure donations and funding to build the local animal shelter in 2006 after bringing to the county’s attention inhumane conditions at the site formerly used to confine stray animals until they were euthanized.
Since that time, she has made numerous requests for public records, mostly related to the county’s animal control department, and has been accused by county officials of trying to run the animal shelter from her home.
State law defines nearly every government document as a public record and entitles anyone to view or obtain photocopies of these records at minimal or no cost. Custodians of the records, such as department managers, are required under the law to provide the records “as promptly as possible.”
Gibbs’ most recent requests are for electronic records, for which there is no cost.
On July 13, she sent a request to Animal Control Director Elma Rae Greene for an electronic copy of the county’s trap agreement. When she still had no response on July 28, The Warren Record contacted County Manager Linda Worth about Greene not fulfilling the request in accordance with state law. Worth said there should not be a delay in Gibbs having her request filled.