Wayne County citizens launch watchdog website in Texas Township
April 20, 2010 Government transparency
BY STEVE McCONNELL | The (Scranton) Times-Tribune Staff Writer
TEXAS TWP. – Township residents now have an all-day ray of transparency with the launch of a citizens' website Monday that will publish township documents and meeting minutes and continually track local issues online.
After trying to coax township supervisors to finance and operate their own website, an unsuccessful endeavor that ended with a unanimous vote against it in December, a group of residents decided to put one up on their own.
"We think this is vital to democracy," said Georgette Pascotto at Monday's supervisors meeting. "It's your right to know."
Mirroring other municipal-sponsored websites that have been slowly cropping up throughout the state and region, the website currently contains meeting minutes dating back to 2007, along with a medley of ordinances with the intent to continually update it after each township meeting, Ms. Pascotto said.
"People live very busy lives yet they want to be involved with the government in their township," she said.
Website volunteers are also paying 25 cents for each page of requested documents.
Township supervisors declined to operate their own website, citing legal concerns, cost, time and a lack of community interest.
Ms. Pascotto said she collected 396 signatures last year on a petition asking if residents would support a township-sponsored website.
Although there was support voiced for the new endeavor at the meeting, one township official said she wanted her home phone number removed from the site and asked township supervisors to check into the legality of publishing phone numbers without consent.
"I would resign before I'm going to allow that on the Internet," said Carol Santos, appeals board chairwoman.
Supervisor Jack McDonald said they would consult their solicitor.
"But as far as me getting calls, I get them all the time," Mr. McDonald joked.
The website is www.texas-township-citizens.com.
TEXAS TWP. – Township residents now have an all-day ray of transparency with the launch of a citizens' website Monday that will publish township documents and meeting minutes and continually track local issues online.
After trying to coax township supervisors to finance and operate their own website, an unsuccessful endeavor that ended with a unanimous vote against it in December, a group of residents decided to put one up on their own.
"We think this is vital to democracy," said Georgette Pascotto at Monday's supervisors meeting. "It's your right to know."
Mirroring other municipal-sponsored websites that have been slowly cropping up throughout the state and region, the website currently contains meeting minutes dating back to 2007, along with a medley of ordinances with the intent to continually update it after each township meeting, Ms. Pascotto said.
"People live very busy lives yet they want to be involved with the government in their township," she said.
Website volunteers are also paying 25 cents for each page of requested documents.
Township supervisors declined to operate their own website, citing legal concerns, cost, time and a lack of community interest.
Ms. Pascotto said she collected 396 signatures last year on a petition asking if residents would support a township-sponsored website.
Although there was support voiced for the new endeavor at the meeting, one township official said she wanted her home phone number removed from the site and asked township supervisors to check into the legality of publishing phone numbers without consent.
"I would resign before I'm going to allow that on the Internet," said Carol Santos, appeals board chairwoman.
Supervisor Jack McDonald said they would consult their solicitor.
"But as far as me getting calls, I get them all the time," Mr. McDonald joked.
The website is www.texas-township-citizens.com.
