Newspaper receives open government award

Representatives of the Washington Coalition for Open Government awarded “La Conner Weekly News” editor and publisher Sandy Stokes with a Key Award on Thursday for advancing the cause of open government after the paper was awarded a $24,500 judgment in a lawsuit against Fire District 13 for violating the state’s Public Records Act and Open Public Meetings Act.

“I want to say that it takes courage to stand up for open government and to advocate for transparency,” said George Erb, a director for the Washington Coalition for Open Government and former editor of the “Puget Sound Business Journal.”

The coalition is a non-profit organization which aims to defend public access to government activities and promote transparency through educational programs and awards.

The organization directors presented Stokes with a key before a crowd which included members of “La Conner Weekly News” staff, La Conner Mayor Ramon Hayes and Town Administrator John Doyle.

“It’s not an easy thing to do, and that’s why we are here recognizing Sandy Stokes and the staff of the ‘La Conner Weekly News,’ because what you did took guts,” said Erb before the group of about 20 people who came to witness the award presentation in front of the newspaper offices.

“It was scary, but I had a lot of support,” Stokes said. “I had the support of the community members you see here.”

Alleging that the fire district illegally withheld public records; claimed it had destroyed public records that she had asked for; held illegal meetings and illegally changed the date of its commission meetings without notifying one of the sitting commissioners, Stokes filed the lawsuit in March.

“It was for the betterment of the community to do so, and by your example, we hope that others will do the same,” said Erb.

Without admitting any lawbreaking, the district settled the suit in April for $24,500, which covered the newspaper’s legal expenses. The district also agreed to provide meeting agenda materials to the newspaper and anyone else who requested them, produce all the records withheld and make sure its office staff and elected officials receive training in the state’s open government laws.

Peggy Watt, a coalition board member and chair of the Journalism Department at Western Washington University, along with Mark O’Deady the executive director of Washington Newspaper Publishers Association, were also on hand to present the award.

“The key is symbolic of the key we use to unlock cabinets full of public records and doors of secret meetings, but also symbolic of the key contributions the recipients make to advancing government transparency,” Watt said during the presentation.

“She deserves it,” said Cindy Vest, the newspaper’s general manager and publisher, who has worked alongside Stokes since 2006, when they began publishing the paper. “She put in a lot of hard work and hours and did a lot of investigative reporting.”

Though Stokes has called out La Conner Town Council members for open meeting violations in the past, on Thursday town officials attended the award presentation. Stokes frequently files public records requests on the town and has said La Conner has set an example of open government other agencies should follow.

Mayor Ramon Hayes spoke after the presentation, emphasizing the importance of open government. “It’s important for citizens to have confidence that procedures are being followed correctly,” he said. “It’s always been our view that more open is better; we’ve got nothing to hide. If you want to see a document, you are entitled to that, so we’re very proud of this award and what it represents.”

Town Administrator John Doyle spoke to the crowd as well, pointing out the benefits to the government of transparency with the public.

“The beneficial side from my perspective is that it works as a conduit of information about government. We look at it as a mechanism to get more exposure and community feedback. It makes it better all the way around, both for the community and the government; it makes it easier instead of harder.”