Paul Wolf – New York Coalition for Open Government https://nyopengov.org New York Coalition for Open Government Mon, 29 Jan 2024 16:58:17 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://nyopengov.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/nycog1-150x150.jpg Paul Wolf – New York Coalition for Open Government https://nyopengov.org 32 32 Judge cites ‘protections of jurors’ in order barring public from jury selection in Holding Center death lawsuit https://nyopengov.org/judge-cites-protections-of-jurors-in-order-barring-public-from-jury-selection-in-holding-center-death-lawsuit/ Sat, 27 Jan 2024 16:55:28 +0000 https://nyopengov.org/?p=6313

Judge cites 'protections of jurors' in order barring public from jury selection in Holding Center death lawsuit

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Judge cites 'protections of jurors' in order barring public from jury selection in ...
State Supreme Court Justice Mark J. Grisanti barred the public from jury selection in a high-profile civil trial for "the protections of jurors," according to an order issued Wednesday.

State Supreme Court Justice Mark J. Grisanti barred the public from jury selection in a high-profile civil trial for “the protections of jurors,” according to an order issued Wednesday.

Grisanti took the unusual step of blocking two Buffalo News journalists from observing jury selection on Monday and Tuesday in the case involving the 2012 death of Erie County Holding Center inmate Richard Metcalf Jr., a move that one legal expert said was rare and did not appear to follow accepted courtroom practices.

Justice Mark Grisanti blocks courtroom access during jury selection in civil case over Holding Center death

Jury selection, as with all court proceedings, generally is open to the public.

The Author

Paul is the founder of the NY Coalition For Open Government and has truly loved seeing it become what it is today and is excited about its future growth.

As an attorney for 32 years, he is a partner in the law firm of Berzer & Wolf. Prior to his private law practice, Paul served in several government positions with the Buffalo Common Council, Buffalo Housing Authority, and Erie County.

When he is not practicing law and doing open government stuff, Paul enjoys spending time with his spouse, Cheryl, and his three children, Michael, Joseph, and Julia. Paul resides in Amherst, NY, a suburb of Buffalo.

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]]> Adams Administration Withholds 311 Emails From Streetsblog https://nyopengov.org/adams-administration-withholds-311-emails-from-streetsblog/ Fri, 26 Jan 2024 16:50:25 +0000 https://nyopengov.org/?p=6304

Adams Administration Withholds 311 Emails From Streetsblog

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Adams Administration Withholds 311 Emails From Streetsblog - Streetsblog New York City
“An agency repeatedly issuing itself extensions to respond to FOIL requests is inconsistent with FOIL’s purpose," said one lawyer.

Should we even bother filing a 311 complaint?

The city agency overseeing the 311 system has again been caught flouting government transparency standards — this time stalling the release of emails that Streetsblog requested following an investigation into ignored 311 service requests.

Government watchdogs are raising new alarms.

“An agency repeatedly issuing itself extensions to respond to Freedom of Information Law requests is inconsistent with FOIL’s purpose,” said Heather Murray, an attorney with the Cornell Law School First Amendment Clinic who represents Streetsblog. “Endless delays are tantamount to a denial, and the lack of responsiveness from the Office of Technology and Innovation here only serves to keep important information from the public and thereby erode the public’s trust in its government.”

The Author

Paul is the founder of the NY Coalition For Open Government and has truly loved seeing it become what it is today and is excited about its future growth.

As an attorney for 32 years, he is a partner in the law firm of Berzer & Wolf. Prior to his private law practice, Paul served in several government positions with the Buffalo Common Council, Buffalo Housing Authority, and Erie County.

When he is not practicing law and doing open government stuff, Paul enjoys spending time with his spouse, Cheryl, and his three children, Michael, Joseph, and Julia. Paul resides in Amherst, NY, a suburb of Buffalo.

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]]> Olean Times Herald: Hochul Budget Fails to Address Big Issue: Transparency https://nyopengov.org/olean-times-herald-hochul-budget-fails-to-address-big-issue-transparency/ Fri, 26 Jan 2024 16:01:53 +0000 https://nyopengov.org/?p=6284

Olean Times Herald - Hochul budget fails to address big issue: Transparency

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Hochul budget fails to address big issue
Gov. Kathy Hochul revealed her executive budget on Tuesday. This massive $233 billion spending plan includes packages to address everything from the housing crisis to swimming pools, but left out

Gov. Kathy Hochul revealed her executive budget on Tuesday. This massive $233 billion spending plan includes packages to address everything from the housing crisis to swimming pools, but left out one of the state’s major problems: Government transparency.

When Hochul, a Democrat, took office, she pledged that her administration would usher in a new era of government transparency. After her very first address as governor, in fact, Hochul said: “I want people to believe in their government again.”

The Author

Paul is the founder of the NY Coalition For Open Government and has truly loved seeing it become what it is today and is excited about its future growth.

As an attorney for 32 years, he is a partner in the law firm of Berzer & Wolf. Prior to his private law practice, Paul served in several government positions with the Buffalo Common Council, Buffalo Housing Authority, and Erie County.

When he is not practicing law and doing open government stuff, Paul enjoys spending time with his spouse, Cheryl, and his three children, Michael, Joseph, and Julia. Paul resides in Amherst, NY, a suburb of Buffalo.

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]]> Iowa bill would raise penalties for open meetings, records violations https://nyopengov.org/iowa-bill-would-raise-penalties-for-open-meetings-records-violations/ Mon, 22 Jan 2024 21:03:45 +0000 https://nyopengov.org/?p=6219

Iowa bill would raise penalties for open meetings, records violations

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Iowa bill would raise penalties for open meetings, records violations
Government officials in Iowa who violate open meetings and records law would face stiffer penalties under a bill introduced by a Bettendorf lawmaker.
Government officials in Iowa who violate open meetings and records law would face stiffer penalties under a bill introduced by a lawmaker.
 
For a person who violated open meetings law, the bill would raise the civil fine from between $100-$500 to between $1,000 and $5,000. If a violation is knowingly committed, the bill would increase the damages assessed from between $1,000 and $2,500 to between $10,000 and $25,000.
 
The bill would also require elected and appointed officials to undergo an educational course on provisions of the state’s rules on open meetings and open records.

The Author

Paul is the founder of the NY Coalition For Open Government and has truly loved seeing it become what it is today and is excited about its future growth.

As an attorney for 32 years, he is a partner in the law firm of Berzer & Wolf. Prior to his private law practice, Paul served in several government positions with the Buffalo Common Council, Buffalo Housing Authority, and Erie County.

When he is not practicing law and doing open government stuff, Paul enjoys spending time with his spouse, Cheryl, and his three children, Michael, Joseph, and Julia. Paul resides in Amherst, NY, a suburb of Buffalo.

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]]> Riverhead supervisor announces new online access to Town Board meeting documents https://nyopengov.org/riverhead-supervisor-announces-new-online-access-to-town-board-meeting-documents/ Sun, 21 Jan 2024 21:09:31 +0000 https://nyopengov.org/?p=6232

Riverhead supervisor announces new online access to Town Board meeting documents

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Riverhead supervisor announces new online access to Town Board meeting documents
Riverhead Supervisor Tim Hubbard on Friday announced changes being implemented to provide the public with more access to information related to Town Board meetings and work sessions.
Tim Hubbard as the newly elected supervisor for the town of Riverhead located in Long Island has made some good changes regarding the public’s access to information.
 
The town will be posting meeting agendas with documents online Friday for meetings scheduled to occur on a Tuesday or a Wednesday.
Correspondence submitted to the Town Clerk will be posted on the town clerk’s web page on the town’s website and will be included in the board meeting packet.
 
The supervisor said making these documents publicly available online will eliminate the need to file Freedom of Information Law requests to obtain them, as had been the practice.
We need more town supervisors to take this proactive approach to provide information to the public.

The Author

Paul is the founder of the NY Coalition For Open Government and has truly loved seeing it become what it is today and is excited about its future growth.

As an attorney for 32 years, he is a partner in the law firm of Berzer & Wolf. Prior to his private law practice, Paul served in several government positions with the Buffalo Common Council, Buffalo Housing Authority, and Erie County.

When he is not practicing law and doing open government stuff, Paul enjoys spending time with his spouse, Cheryl, and his three children, Michael, Joseph, and Julia. Paul resides in Amherst, NY, a suburb of Buffalo.

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]]> Political Post – Those Council Pay Raises https://nyopengov.org/political-post-those-council-pay-raises/ Wed, 10 Jan 2024 15:25:44 +0000 https://nyopengov.org/?p=5754

Political Post - Those Council Pay Raises

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buffalo council
New Council, big pay raises
The New York Coalition For Open Government has filed a lawsuit to stop pay raises that the Mayor of Buffalo and City Council illegally approved for themselves.
 
The case has been assigned to Erie County Supreme Court Judge Craig Hannah. Investigative Post reports that Hannah served as legal counsel to Brown when he was a state senator. As Mayor Brown appointed Craig Hannah to Buffalo City Court in 2006 and made him chief judge in 2019.
In 2022, when Hannah was running for state Supreme Court, he made campaign contributions to the Mayor and two Council members, David Rivera and Rasheed Wyatt.
 
Which raises the question should Judge Hannah be the one to hear a lawsuit and decide whether the Mayor and Councilmembers receive a raise?

The Author

Paul is the founder of the NY Coalition For Open Government and has truly loved seeing it become what it is today and is excited about its future growth.

As an attorney for 32 years, he is a partner in the law firm of Berzer & Wolf. Prior to his private law practice, Paul served in several government positions with the Buffalo Common Council, Buffalo Housing Authority, and Erie County.

When he is not practicing law and doing open government stuff, Paul enjoys spending time with his spouse, Cheryl, and his three children, Michael, Joseph, and Julia. Paul resides in Amherst, NY, a suburb of Buffalo.

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]]> City and State NY -NYC reporters cannot lose ‘the Shack’ at One Police Plaza https://nyopengov.org/city-and-state-ny-nyc-reporters-cannot-lose-the-shack-at-one-police-plaza/ Tue, 09 Jan 2024 15:47:11 +0000 https://nyopengov.org/?p=5780

City and State NY - NYC reporters cannot lose ‘the Shack’ at One Police Plaza

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Editor’s note: NYC reporters cannot lose ‘the Shack’ at One Police Plaza
This grimy office is the only foothold the press has within the confines of the NYPD.
In addition to encrypting their police scanner so that the media does not have access to it the New York City Police Dept. is kicking reporters out of the space they have utilized since 1973 inside police headquarters.

The Author

Paul is the founder of the NY Coalition For Open Government and has truly loved seeing it become what it is today and is excited about its future growth.

As an attorney for 32 years, he is a partner in the law firm of Berzer & Wolf. Prior to his private law practice, Paul served in several government positions with the Buffalo Common Council, Buffalo Housing Authority, and Erie County.

When he is not practicing law and doing open government stuff, Paul enjoys spending time with his spouse, Cheryl, and his three children, Michael, Joseph, and Julia. Paul resides in Amherst, NY, a suburb of Buffalo.

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]]> Post Star – Moreau, Developer considering legal action over potential meeting violation https://nyopengov.org/post-star-moreau-developer-considering-legal-action-over-potential-meeting-violation/ Tue, 09 Jan 2024 15:34:26 +0000 https://nyopengov.org/?p=5767

Post Star: Moreau, Developer considering legal action over potential meeting violation

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Moreau: Developer considering legal action over potential meeting violation
MOREAU – Legal counsel for local developer Rich Schermerhorn said his company will wait on action from the Moreau Town Board before moving on a potential open meetings violation, which
“Schermerhorn’s attorney, Allyson Phillips, a partner at Young/Sommer, LLC. said she believes that the Moreau Town Board did not advertise a resolution long enough in advance of the meeting before voting on it during its Dec. 21 meeting. This could mean the vote taken by the board was improper.
The board briefly discussed the resolution to the sewer district consolidation plan during the meeting before it was pointed out by Phillips that the resolution had not been made public at least 24-hours in advance of the meeting, thereby violating New York Open Meetings Law. “You are not giving the public enough time to review the materials that you are considering at these meetings,” Phillips said. She also cited past instances of materials not being available
24 hours before a meeting. “That’s a violation of the open meetings law, and it’s a repeated violation of the open meetings law,” she said.

The Author

Paul is the founder of the NY Coalition For Open Government and has truly loved seeing it become what it is today and is excited about its future growth.

As an attorney for 32 years, he is a partner in the law firm of Berzer & Wolf. Prior to his private law practice, Paul served in several government positions with the Buffalo Common Council, Buffalo Housing Authority, and Erie County.

When he is not practicing law and doing open government stuff, Paul enjoys spending time with his spouse, Cheryl, and his three children, Michael, Joseph, and Julia. Paul resides in Amherst, NY, a suburb of Buffalo.

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]]> Daily Freeman – Newly elected Hurley clerk resigns https://nyopengov.org/daily-freeman-newly-elected-hurley-clerk-resigns/ Mon, 08 Jan 2024 15:52:28 +0000 https://nyopengov.org/?p=5787

Daily Freeman - Newly elected Hurley clerk resigns

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Newly elected Hurley clerk resigns
HURLEY, N.Y. – The Town Board ended the year in a meeting that included the resignation of the newly elected clerk, who still could be sworn into a full term on Jan. 1, and the appointment of a ...
Interesting meeting in Hurley, NY (Ulster County), involving multiple resignations and an improper executive session.
 
We see this over and over, it is improper to hold an executive session to discuss filling a vacancy on a town board.

The Author

Paul is the founder of the NY Coalition For Open Government and has truly loved seeing it become what it is today and is excited about its future growth.

As an attorney for 32 years, he is a partner in the law firm of Berzer & Wolf. Prior to his private law practice, Paul served in several government positions with the Buffalo Common Council, Buffalo Housing Authority, and Erie County.

When he is not practicing law and doing open government stuff, Paul enjoys spending time with his spouse, Cheryl, and his three children, Michael, Joseph, and Julia. Paul resides in Amherst, NY, a suburb of Buffalo.

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]]> Politico – Year’s worth of schedules show a busy New York mayor — with key details missing https://nyopengov.org/politico-years-worth-of-schedules-show-a-busy-new-york-mayor-with-key-details-missing/ Sun, 07 Jan 2024 16:09:53 +0000 https://nyopengov.org/?p=5797

Politico - Year’s worth of schedules show a busy New York mayor — with key details missing

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Year's worth of schedules show a busy New York mayor — with key details missing
Mayor Eric Adams keeps up a brisk pace of calls, meetings and galas — but much is still unknown.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams released a daily calendar covering July 2022 through August 2023 pursuant to a Freedom of Information Law request — the first such disclosure in 15 months.
 
The information released avoids disclosing much about the daily encounters of his high-profile job. Some of the most basic aspects like which elected officials he’s speaking with during regular calls are not disclosed.
 
“This mark a step back in transparency. For much of his predecessor’s tenure, ex-Mayor Bill de Blasio routinely published copies of his schedule that named everyone attending calls and meetings, while also requiring leading city officials to disclose their interactions with lobbyists.”
 
“Adams’ schedules include almost no mention of meetings with lobbyists. Despite that, a public database kept by the city clerk shows city lobbyists appealing to the mayor’s office — which includes other top aides — hundreds of times on issues ranging from real estate plans to city contracts since Adams’ tenure began on Jan. 1, 2022. His spokesperson declined to answer whether the mayor has ever met with a lobbyist”

The Author

Paul is the founder of the NY Coalition For Open Government and has truly loved seeing it become what it is today and is excited about its future growth.

As an attorney for 32 years, he is a partner in the law firm of Berzer & Wolf. Prior to his private law practice, Paul served in several government positions with the Buffalo Common Council, Buffalo Housing Authority, and Erie County.

When he is not practicing law and doing open government stuff, Paul enjoys spending time with his spouse, Cheryl, and his three children, Michael, Joseph, and Julia. Paul resides in Amherst, NY, a suburb of Buffalo.

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