Gilford GOP wants more info online

SunshineReview.org. The website is maintained by a group called the Sam Adams Alliance whose mission is to advocate for a more transparent government across the country at every level.

To help other citizens interested in advocating along the group's mission line, the SunshineReview has provided a 10-checkpoint list of items that could be placed on a governmental website. There also is a checklist for citizens to fill out to rate their state, town, school, or county government.

An article written by Charles Arlinghaus, president of the Josiah Bartlett Center for Public Policy — a free market think tank in Concord — also provided impetus to the open government movement. In the article, Arlinghaus outlined some of the pitfalls that small New Hampshire government entities face, along with how techenology can bridge the information gap.

"There is a lot that could be done with the websites that would save citizens and government employees both time and money," said Gilford Republican Doug Lambert. "The technology is there, so the bigger question in all this is, 'Why not?'"

For Lambert and many behind the request, the most important piece of information to get on the websites are financial data.

The opening statement of the request that went to the three governmental bodies was, "taxpayers are often forced to wait for an audit to know how much money was spent and whether it's all accounted for. The first step to transparency is simply posting the town or agency's check register online. Right away, any taxpayer can look and see every dollar spent and to whom it was paid."

Being active in local politics and regarded as a government watchdog, Lambert has made several challenges to action taken at the county level. Some of the challenges brought to make more information was open to the public succeeded, while others are still pending in court.

"Many eyes looking over the shoulder of government is better than a few," said Lambert.

Both Murphy and Lambert said that more transparency might have prevented the scandal with Belknap County's finance officer, Nancy Cook, who was removed from her duties.

Murphy said that what the Gilford Republicans are asking for is to have the current budget, meeting minutes, meeting agendas, information about elected officials, information about the administration, information about town-funded lobbyists, vendor contracts, checkbook registers, and election information made available on the respective websites. Even better would be to allow for record requests to be fulfilled online.

All of those requests are derived from the suggestions on the SunshireReview website.

While Gilford's town and school websites provide minutes and other meeting information, Murphy and Lambert said they are not posted right away and many other things are left out of the virtual limelight.

Running through the Sunshine checklist, Gilford meets only two of the 10 criteria, according to Murphy.

"When you put that stuff out there, you make government transparent. Then everyone can see what is going on in their government," said Murphy.

Murphy will make a presentation to the Board of Selectmen concerning the Gilford Republicans' request at the selectmen's next meeting, scheduled Wednesday, May 14, at 7 p.m. in the Town Hall.

For more information, visit www.gilfordgop.org or sunshinereview.org.