New Castle County Council: Cowards

In keeping with Delaware's tradition of closed government, New Castle County Council voted to make obtaining audio recordings of their council meetings difficult:

New Castle County Council votes no to recorded audio during meetings.

The resolution, introduced by Councilman David Tackett, allows audio recordings of Council's meetings for download or streaming on the Internet.

Council cited possible alteration or defamation as the motive for voting down such a piece of legislation but Tackett says he's looking out for government and the public's wallets.

Tackett says in a technological world, he feels County Council's decision takes a huge step backwards but he will not reintroduce the bill.

If someone wants to obtain an audio copy of their meetings, they have to appear in person at the county building to get a copy. The idiots seem to think that if anyone was really interested in defaming them, they will be put off by obtaining a CD copy of their meetings in person.

No one should be deceived by this ruse. The council members aren't really afraid of defaming and altered use of the recordings. They are afraid of the publicity of unaltered segments of their meetings. Some council members are quite adept at defaming themselves. That is what they find as potentially embarrassing.

If access to recordings of these meetings is a public right, then utilizing the most expeditious means possible flows naturally from that right. Internet recordings are the most expeditious and affordable means possible.

What a bunch of weenies.