Mayor Devanney Writes to Senator Scutari | Defends Key Aspects of OPRA
A significant and welcome update on our efforts in asking state representatives to pause any effort for OPRA reform to the next legislative session. BHCW was copied on an email from Mayor Devanney to Senator Scutari. This email addressed three of our primary concerns with the reforms that have been proposed: First, moving disputes over cases away from the Superior...
NJ State Legislative Round-Up 12/02/2023
Elimination of Basic Skills Test For Teachers, Parental Permission for Social Media, Restrictions on Merchant Fees for Credit Card Transactions, Change to Liquor License Laws on the Horizon and Pause on Renewable Energy Since June of this year, BHCW has focused much of its attention on potential OPRA “reform” at the state level, but many other bills and laws that...
Responses from Mayor Devanney and Members of the Town Council on Concerns Surrounding OPRA and OPMA Reform
Since learning about potential changes to OPRA in June of this year, we have been reaching out to the Mayor and members of the Town Council in connection to concerns we have about harmful changes to the NJ Open Public Records Act and (more recently) the Open Meetings Act. Here are the responses we received from Mayor Devanney, Councilman Couto,...
Update On Efforts to Change the Open Public Records and Open Public Meetings Act During Lame Duck Session
So we got an update from someone who has a bit more information than us on concerns connected to potential changes to OPRA – this is what they wrote us on Wednesday afternoon: Danielson filed four opra bills but none of them are going to advance. Sarlo is working on an opra bill and opma bill but nothing’s been filed...
Take Action to Save the Open Public Records Act
The Problem Plans to gut the Open Public Records Act during a lame duck session are moving forward. If passed, this would render OPRA meaningless and citizens of NJ would be in the dark on what their government bodies are doing. Here are the bills: https://www.njlm.org/Blog.aspx?IID=232#item https://www.njlm.org/Blog.aspx?IID=231#item https://www.njlm.org/Blog.aspx?IID=230#item Here is an article John recently wrote that provides insight into how...
Mayor Devanney’s Response to Resident Concerns on Proposed OPRA Reform
In this clip, Mayor Devanney responds to my concerns regarding OPRA reform. The Mayor’s response does not address the specific concerns of the letter connected to legislation proposed by Assemblyman Danielsen that would, in fact, impact residents and journalists. I also believe it overstated the cost and work involved in automatically making documents public – especially when you consider the...
The Hills in Warren: A Warning and Call to Action
What does this project tell us about local government, the power of advocacy and the future of Berkeley Heights? This 26-acre previously untouched forest was cleared to make way for 192 units (48 affordable), part of Warren’s court-ordered affordable housing settlement. This is the same property granted use of the Berkeley Heights Sewer Plant over a year ago. Affordable Housing...
They Could Take Our Last Tool For Transparency
Legislation being proposed at the state level casts a darkness on government business -John Leo, Jr. In four bills just last week presented to the NJ Legislature, A5613-5616, the mechanisms by which the public can gain public records are destined to be severely changed- some good, some bad. OPRA (Open Public Records Act) being the only tool we have to...
Steve Mondragon’s Position on Transparency And OPRA
Steve Mondragon candidate for Berkeley Heights Town Council adds his voice to the local discussion on proposed legislation seeking to change OPRA and Transparency -Steve Mondragon Trust is a fundamental principle in a representative democracy. Without trust, the system doesn’t function properly. That trust is earned, not given. It takes time to nurture and cultivate, and needs constant tending to...
Varley, Penna and ….Danielsen?
The Folks Wanting to Destroy OPRA Appear to Have One Thing In Common: Hiding Important Information from the Public Currently, legislation is being proposed at the state level -championed under the guise of saving money-that would render OPRA meaningless. OPRA is a law that allows residents to obtain documents from government entities and provides remedies for non-compliance. Under OPRA, government agencies...
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