IPRA & You
Open government and transparency are important because they allow citizens to view and keep track of what government does. But we must fight to keep those rights or government will strip us of them when we are not looking.
Almost every state and the federal government has a version of the Inspection of Public Records Act. It is important because it allows citizens to view and keep track of what government does. TRANSPARENCY!
It is easy — you request what you want to see in most cases by email. In New Mexico, there is a very stringent timeframe for replies. It is all spelled out in an IPRA Compliance Guide published by the Attorney General’s Office. There are a few things you can’t ask for like health records but most are available. The Guide also tells what has to be done when there are denials of records. And if you think all government agencies follow the law you would be mistaken. The guide also spells out penalties — I wonder why?
Peter St. Cyr, Executive Director of NMFOG — Foundation for Open Government — will be the featured speaker at the March 24, NM Book Co-op Lunch at Golden Corral on San Mateo near Cliff’s in Albuquerque. Meeting starts at noon and attendees are required to pay for their own buffet lunch when they arrive. The meeting is free and open to the public but you have to buy lunch after all it is a restaurant.
In this day and age you have to be aware of your rights and be aware of what government does in your name. When you have your rights taken away if is very difficult to get them back.
Barbe Awalt
Today's Rants: A Random Thought!
We are still seeking your support for the effort to get Congress to fix our healthcare system by signing this petition at https://www.change.org/p/remove-health-care-subsidies-for-members-of-congress-and-their-families THANKS!
UPCOMING CALENDAR:
Rio Grande Books
April 8: Gallup Public Library, 9am-5pm "Author Fair"
April 20-22: Arizona-NM Historical Society Conference, Flagstaff, AZ
June 16-18: Sacred Art Market, Gallup Cathedral
July 15: Lavender in the Village, Los Ranchos Agri Center
Henrietta Christmas & Paul Rhetts
April 30: Santa Fe Public Library, 2pm "Basic Genealogy Checklist: 101 Tips & Tactics to Finding Your Family History"
June 24: Treasure House Books, Albuquerque Old Town 1-3pm "Basic Genealogy Checklist: 101 Tips & Tactics to Finding Your Family History"
Loretta Hall
March 18: Santa Fe Public Library, 2pm "New Mexico's Contribution to Space Travel"
April 2: Explora Science Center & Children's Museum (Albuquerque Old Town), 2:30pm "Miguel & Michelle Visit Spaceport America" new children's book
April 5: Bear Canyon Senior Center, 10:00-11:30, "NM is a Treasure Trove of Space History"
April 7, 14, 21, 28: LifeLong Learning Institute class, Covenant Presbyterian Church, 9315 Candelaria Rd NE, Albuquerque, 10:00-12:00, "New Mexico's Contributions to Space Travel"
April 9: Treasure House Books (Albuquerque Old Town), 1pm "Miguel & Michelle Visit Spaceport America" new children's book
May 3: Bear Canyon Senior Center, 10:00-11:30, "Getting Men to the Moon: Behind-the-Scenes Stories"
July 13: OASIS, 1:00-2:30, "What Sex Differences Mean for Space Travel"
Pat Hodapp
April 23: Collected Works, 2pm "Santa Fe Bucket List"
Ross Van Dusen
June 4: Treasure House Books, 1pm "Lyle Got Stuck in a Tree"
It is easy — you request what you want to see in most cases by email. In New Mexico, there is a very stringent timeframe for replies. It is all spelled out in an IPRA Compliance Guide published by the Attorney General’s Office. There are a few things you can’t ask for like health records but most are available. The Guide also tells what has to be done when there are denials of records. And if you think all government agencies follow the law you would be mistaken. The guide also spells out penalties — I wonder why?
Peter St. Cyr, Executive Director of NMFOG — Foundation for Open Government — will be the featured speaker at the March 24, NM Book Co-op Lunch at Golden Corral on San Mateo near Cliff’s in Albuquerque. Meeting starts at noon and attendees are required to pay for their own buffet lunch when they arrive. The meeting is free and open to the public but you have to buy lunch after all it is a restaurant.
In this day and age you have to be aware of your rights and be aware of what government does in your name. When you have your rights taken away if is very difficult to get them back.
Barbe Awalt
Today's Rants: A Random Thought!
We are still seeking your support for the effort to get Congress to fix our healthcare system by signing this petition at https://www.change.org/p/remove-health-care-subsidies-for-members-of-congress-and-their-families THANKS!
UPCOMING CALENDAR:
Rio Grande Books
April 8: Gallup Public Library, 9am-5pm "Author Fair"
April 20-22: Arizona-NM Historical Society Conference, Flagstaff, AZ
June 16-18: Sacred Art Market, Gallup Cathedral
July 15: Lavender in the Village, Los Ranchos Agri Center
Henrietta Christmas & Paul Rhetts
April 30: Santa Fe Public Library, 2pm "Basic Genealogy Checklist: 101 Tips & Tactics to Finding Your Family History"
June 24: Treasure House Books, Albuquerque Old Town 1-3pm "Basic Genealogy Checklist: 101 Tips & Tactics to Finding Your Family History"
Loretta Hall
March 18: Santa Fe Public Library, 2pm "New Mexico's Contribution to Space Travel"
April 2: Explora Science Center & Children's Museum (Albuquerque Old Town), 2:30pm "Miguel & Michelle Visit Spaceport America" new children's book
April 5: Bear Canyon Senior Center, 10:00-11:30, "NM is a Treasure Trove of Space History"
April 7, 14, 21, 28: LifeLong Learning Institute class, Covenant Presbyterian Church, 9315 Candelaria Rd NE, Albuquerque, 10:00-12:00, "New Mexico's Contributions to Space Travel"
April 9: Treasure House Books (Albuquerque Old Town), 1pm "Miguel & Michelle Visit Spaceport America" new children's book
May 3: Bear Canyon Senior Center, 10:00-11:30, "Getting Men to the Moon: Behind-the-Scenes Stories"
July 13: OASIS, 1:00-2:30, "What Sex Differences Mean for Space Travel"
Pat Hodapp
April 23: Collected Works, 2pm "Santa Fe Bucket List"
Ross Van Dusen
June 4: Treasure House Books, 1pm "Lyle Got Stuck in a Tree"