{"id":30678,"date":"2015-05-06T21:23:51","date_gmt":"2015-05-07T01:23:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/brigantinenow.com\/?p=30678"},"modified":"2023-10-22T18:46:58","modified_gmt":"2023-10-22T22:46:58","slug":"request-opra-records-anonymously-brigantine-paff","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/brigantinenow.com\/request-opra-records-anonymously-brigantine-paff\/","title":{"rendered":"Paff: Requesting OPRA Records Anonymously in Brigantine"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Citizen Watchdog; John Paff<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Did you know that anyone can anonymously request a majority of Brigantine government records? It’s true. By NJ law, you can request most info (with some restrictions) via email using the official Brigantine form, or you may write \/ type a personally written request, as long as you reference ‘OPRA<\/a>‘.<\/p>\n

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OPRA came in really handy a few years back for the concerned citizens of Brigantine.<\/h2>\n

A sexual harassment investigation report of a retiring Brigantine police chief was being held back from the public.\u00a0Brigantine refused to release the report by claiming it was a government record exempted by state laws. Public records advocate; John Paff, called them out on that. Paff contacted Brigantine’s Mayor Phil Guenther and City Council about this issue. See letter here.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

In a Feb. 25, 2010 ruling, Superior Court Judge Nelson Johnson said the report, described as being conducted by an \u201cindependent fact finder,\u201d is in fact \u201ca common law public record,\u201d not a government record.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Click Here to Read Report: <\/span><\/strong><\/span>\u00a0Brigantine Investigation: Barber & Frugoli<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Brigantine
Investigation Report Procured by PAFF & OPRA<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

OPRA; Open Public Records Act\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n

OPRA is a New Jersey statute governing access to government records maintained by public agencies like the City of Brigantine. It provides requestors with statutory right to access Brigantine records. All limitations on access shall be construed in favor of the public. Again, it is the requestor\u2019s right to access records.<\/p>\n

Listen Below > JOHN PAFF<\/a> <\/span>interviewed by MEL TAYLOR on WPG Talk Radio 1450 on DEC. 4, 2015<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

New Jersey’s busiest open-government activist. John Paff<\/a>; the man keeping local government on its toes. The famous and infamous\u2026but much needed citizen watchdog.<\/p>\n

\n\nhttps:\/\/brigantinenow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/WPG-12.5.15.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n
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What is a Government Record?<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

OPRA<\/a> <\/span>defines a government record as: any record that has been made, maintained, or kept on file in the course of official business, or that has been received in the course of official business.\u00a0Under OPRA, a \u201cgovernment record\u201d includes printed records, tape recordings, microfilm, electronically stored records (including e-mails and data sets stored in a database), books, maps, photographs, etc.<\/p>\n

Access Brigantine Government records using an OPRA REQUEST<\/h3>\n

Who may file an NJ OPRA request?<\/strong> Anyone! Although OPRA specifically references \u201ccitizens of this State,\u201d (N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1) the Attorney General\u2019s Office advises that OPRA does not prohibit access to residents of other states.<\/p>\n

You may file OPRA requests anonymously without providing any personal contact information,<\/strong> even though space for that information appears on the form; thus anonymous requests are permitted.<\/p>\n

How is a OPRA request made?<\/strong> A request for access to a Brigantine government record must be in writing and hand-delivered, mailed, transmitted electronically (email), or otherwise conveyed to the appropriate custodian. N.J.S.A. 47:1A- 5.g.<\/p>\n

OPRA requests can be made using Brigantine’s official OPRA request form. However, you may send a written \/ typed request (not the official form), but it must mention OPRA. See here<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Public agencies like the City of Brigantine may accept requests for access to government records over the Internet or by e-mail. The City of Brigantine does have the capability (email) to accept electronically transmitted requests and establish appropriate policies and practices. The law does not require public agencies to provide new services beyond what they currently provide in order to accept records requests electronically.<\/p>\n

Lynn Sweeney is the Brigantine\u00a0City Clerk. She welcomes your OPRA request.<\/h4>\n

Phone:<\/strong> (609) 266-7600 ext. 220
\nE-Mail:<\/strong>\u00a0lsweeney@brigantinebeachnj.com<\/a><\/p>\n

As City Clerk, Lynn Sweeney assists with administering the affairs of the City, including attending Council meetings and providing for the taking and preparation of minutes therefore; compilation, preservation, indexing and publication of all ordinances and resolutions, and numerous other duties as specified in the City Code.<\/p>\n

Among the many tasks related to the Office of the Municipal Clerk, one of the core duties is to maintain custody of all minutes, books, deeds, bonds, contracts, ordinances, resolutions and archive records of the municipal corporation and provide information in a timely and efficient manner and provide technical assistance to individuals and public officials. The City Clerk\u2019s Office prepares and distributes Council meeting agendas and is also responsible for keeping the Council knowledgeable of State directives and\u00a0 objectives. The\u00a0 Clerk\u2019s Office records Oaths of Office as well as issues licenses\/permits as authorized by the Governing Body and New Jersey Statutes.<\/p>\n

Within the Office of the Municipal Clerk is the Registrar of Vital Statistics. The Registrar records marriages, domestic partnerships, civil unions, births and deaths. The Township Clerks Office is also responsible for assisting the County with elections and voter\u00a0 registration<\/p>\n

The Municipal Clerk\u2019s responsibilities as defined by New Jersey Statutes include: Secretary to the Governing Body, Secretary to the Municipal Corporation, Administrative and Licensing Officer, Election Administrator, and Records Coordinator and Manager.<\/p>\n

The City Clerk\u2019s Office is the place to go for:<\/strong><\/p>\n