A Commercial reporter drew some objections when he distributed copies of a guide on the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act to members of the Pine Bluff Parks and Recreation Commission at the panel’s meeting on Thursday.
Some commissioners were displeased when The Commercial published letters that four Chester Hynes Community Center workers, including Director Laura Hildreth, wrote to the panel describing a July 30 encounter with Mayor Carl A. Redus Jr. at the facility. Hildreth said that Redus accused her of “sabotaging” the center after the failed Keith Ross paint job. Three of Hildreth’s employees – Jerrika Kelly, Linda Nance and Joyce Suggs – wrote letters saying they had witnessed the exchange and also complained about the mayor’s behavior around children there.
Redus said he did visit the facility and spoke with Hildreth, but denied the women’s charges of misconduct.
The Commercial obtained copies of the letters after seeing them distributed to commissioners during a panel meeting.
The reporter’s right to obtain the copies was questioned, and opinions were stated that such communications are or should be exempt from FOI oversight. The reporter explained that the items are indeed public records and open to media and public inspection. Any materials presented to members of public boards and commissions are to be shared with the media and made available, upon request, to the public.
There were also questions on the legality of a reporter being present during and then reporting on a public conversation “on any subject” between one or more commissioners and one or more department employees outside the confines of an official commission meeting, and the FOI-prohibited practice of two or more commissioners privately discussing or acting upon business that might need to later come before the entire commission for a decision.
The Commercial will provide FOI guides to any group within its coverage area that might desire them.