Transparency News 9/23/16

 

The city has declined to answer questions about the process it has used over the last 14 years to obtain easements for the Green Circle Trail. Recent problems with the Town Run leg of the trail — which runs through a wooded area between East Cork and East Pall Mall streets — have raised concerns about whether other portions of the trail would remain accessible to the public should a transfer of land ownership occur, or a landowner somehow renege on a non-binding agreement. After several requests, City Manager Eden Freeman and Public Services Director Perry Eisenach have not agreed to requests by The Star for interviews on the subject. On Wednesday, The Star submitted to the city a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request asking for records of all existing easements and land agreements regarding the primary trail. The city acknowledged that the FOIA was received and stated that a response would come by Sept. 28.
Winchester Star

The former mayor of a small town in Dickenson County, Virginia, was sentenced Thursday in federal court to fraud charges stemming from her alleged use of town funds to make improvements and repairs to her personal home while she was mayor, the U.S Attorney’s office said. Peggy Sue Stanley Mickens, 50, the former mayor of Clinchco, previously pleaded guilty to one count of theft concerning programs receiving federal funds, one count of mail fraud and one count of wire fraud. In district court in Abingdon, Mickens was sentenced Thursday to serve six months in prison and was ordered to make restitution to the town of Clinchco in the amount of $6,179.47.
Herald Courier

Local registrars and state election officials have fielded numerous calls from voters who have received letters leading them to believe they weren’t registered. The Virginia Department of Elections issued a statement this week from Commissioner Edgardo Cortés noting that the agency has fielded numerous phone calls from concerned voters who received a letter suggesting their registration was in question. At least two organizations – America’s Future Inc. and the Voter Participation Center – sent similar letters to individuals already properly registered, not qualified to register at the mailing address used, or those who are deceased, according to information from Cortés.
Northern Virginia Daily



National Stories
​

University of Texas System Regent Wallace Hall Jr. has lost in court a second time, and perhaps for good, in his effort to gain access to confidential student information from an investigation of admissions irregularities. A three-judge panel of the state 3rd Court of Appeals ruled unanimously that Chancellor Bill McRaven didn’t act outside the scope of his authority when he refused to turn over unredacted records to Hall, a Dallas businessman. The UT System-commissioned investigation by Kroll Associates Inc. found that then-UT-Austin President Bill Powers sometimes ordered students admitted, despite subpar academic records, at the urging of legislators, regents, donors and other influential people.
Austin American-Statesman

A tiny river town in Adams County, Ohio, has no mayor, no clerk and, apparently, no financial records. The state auditor's office has ruled the Village of Rome "unauditable" and is warning that legal action may follow. In a press release Monday, the Ohio Auditor of State reported that during its audit of the village, which is scheduled to take place every two years, no financial records were provided. Auditors also learned the positions of mayor and clerk were vacant, but found four appointed village council members listed on the Adams County Board of Elections website.
Governing