Whose information is it anyway?

I started this blog to discuss the ever expanding Village of Palmetto Bay bureaucracy that is costing us dearly. But, I must pivot to a really important issue that faces all residents of Palmetto Bay: the inability to get public information from the Village administration.      Everyone who reads my blog knows I spend a lot of time reviewing various pieces of information I receive from the Village.  Some of the information is extremely benign while some points to poor governance.  In fact, I wish I had more time to write on this matter because some of the inept financial decisions the Village has made would be a great case study for a political science course.  Unfortunately, for us it's rare that an elected official demonstrates financial aptitude.      In any event, I have continued over the last couple of months to ask for various documents from the Village Attorney and Village Manager which they have refused to release.  They use one lame excuse after another. Most documents I've requested relate to the annual audit of our Village and various emails sent and received by the Village Manager.      This lack of transparency goes against the Village's Municipal Charter, specifically the Citizens Bill of Rights which reads:   Truth in Government. No municipal official or employee shall knowingly furnish false information on any public matter, nor knowingly omit significant facts when giving requested information to members of the public.    Public Records. All audits, reports, minutes, documents and other public records of the Village and its boards, agencies, departments and authorities shall be open for inspection at reasonable times and places convenient to the public.   The Municipal Charter goes on to read;   The Village Manager responsibility is to "Ensure that all laws, provisions of this Charter and directives of the Council, subject to enforcement and/or administration by him/her or by employees subject to his/her direction and supervision, are faithfully executed;   In regards to the Public Audit, for information I've requested over 30 days ago;   A summary of the results, including any deficiencies found, shall be made public. A written response to any noted deficiencies shall be the responsibility of the Village Manager. The response shall be made public no more than 90 calendar days from delivery of the independent auditor's report.   Apparently, both the Village Attorney and Village Manger should spend a few minutes re-reviewing the Charter.  It would help them get familiarized with the concept that the Village of Palmetto Bay citizenry has the absolute right to public information.   Maybe I've been incorrect in my focus on the Mayor and Councilwoman for the past six months.  Maybe my focus should have been on the Village Attorney and Village Manager.  It's the Village Manager and the Village Attorney who seem to spend a majority of their time and a great deal of expense impeding the free flow of public information.   I think it's time for the Council to reassess the administrative personnel of the Village.  They might find that termination is in order.  The new Council has some hard decisions to make in the next six months. Maybe the first item on the agenda should be to review the Village Attorney and Village Manager's interaction with the Village citizens.  After all it's our money that pays their generous salaries and fees.  Maybe they should do their jobs correctly or be replaced.   Once again if you would like to be removed from recieving future emails please notify me. David Singer