Comments on: Heifner faces misdemeanor charge in FOI complaint

By: Big Brother

Big Brother — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 14:43:43 +0000

Location from Google Maps…

By: Jonny

Jonny — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 10:37:58 +0000

Why would I want to post comments (thus giving free content to) a terrible paywall news site aggregator? nwaonline is junk media.

By: Black Hanna

Black Hanna — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 01:00:52 +0000

I would bet that Marilyn knew exactly what she was doing (she used to be Mayor of Fayetteville after all). Claiming ignorance of the FOIA is no excuse. If she truly didn’t know the law, then she is not worth her $82,000 annual salary.

By: Been watching

Been watching — Sat, 25 Feb 2012 02:57:47 +0000

That’s not what this is about. This is about the people leading Downtown Fayetteville as an Arts and Events District are doing it legally.

By: Been watching

Been watching — Sat, 25 Feb 2012 02:55:38 +0000

Look, now. If her spirit was crushed by this, homegirl is in the wrong line of work. She’s a non elected public employee, handling millions of tax dollars a year, in a department that is lacking transparency, and full of “Only Marilyn knows the answer to that” responses. She surely knows the rules by now. She’s been doing this since forever. She broke a rule and got caught. There doesn’t need to be a lynching. This department needs to be turned upside down. They should publicly discuss each issue at the meetings, in front of camera, and talk about why they’re voting for or against things. there needs be better access to the bylawsof the A&P (like on the city website) for us common folk. There need to be commissioners who are in touch with what’s going on in our community, who really have a direction and vision for Fayetteville, who spur discussion with each other. This “Marilyn runs the show” thing is lazy and exhausting to watch.

By: Morgan

Morgan — Sat, 25 Feb 2012 02:15:42 +0000

How exactly was or is the media biased? I wouldn’t have near the problem with this if she hadn’t lied to the newspaper. That was just foolish. It isn’t unreasonable to wonder what other lies may have been told and for apparently no discernible reason. I don’t pretend to understand, or even agree with, all the things the newspaper does and reports on which is saying a lot since my partner works there. I do believe when a public employee lies about public business it should be reported and is no small matter.

By: Concerned Citizen

Concerned Citizen — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 23:53:01 +0000

You’re a fool if you’re a government employee and don’t realize how importantly FOIA is treated in this State by the courts. You’re especially a fool if you don’t utilize the resources provided by the City in this regard.

She could have easily placed a call to the city attorney, who is on call for all of these types of requests and even has an assistant attorney available who is quite knowledgable on the Act and compliance.

Her screwup, so she pays. Which will probably end up being a $20 fine, court costs and fees. She’ll get out for under $200, which is precious little on her salary.

By: Innarested Observer

Innarested Observer — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 20:35:04 +0000

Yes. it was. You don’t get to pick and choose which laws you want to obey.

By: Michael

Michael — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 17:56:11 +0000

How is the Times to blame? They didn’t force her to lie, she chose to do that on her own. And as long as she’s been in government/quasi-government service she should know well the FOIA rules.

By: mikey

mikey — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 17:53:38 +0000

Sounds suspiciously like there may be some history of bad blood between Times editors and Heifner. Yes FOIA is important and should be enforced in all instances. But is it? I’m sure there have been plenty of instances when the Times wouldn’t lift a finger to support some lowly citizen’s FOIA request if it involved some buddy of theirs or favored project. More likely the Times just wants THEIR access protected.

By: Hal Jordan

Hal Jordan — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 15:33:24 +0000

I mean, the editor’s comments are enough to have him fired, whipped, whatever, for a lack of ethics in his position.

By: Hal Jordan

Hal Jordan — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 15:32:34 +0000

Make these comments on NWAonline.com . Don’t give them the impression that their feelings of self-importance for the public good are warranted.

By: RC

RC — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 15:28:09 +0000

She should resign or be fired. Way to go NWA Times!!

By: J.R.

J.R. — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 14:23:36 +0000

That is interesting.

By: holy times!

holy times! — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 13:44:52 +0000

Not to defend a (former?) pillar of the Chamber, but really…. the Times? first thing that came to mind (however rashly) was Who Is in Line for her Job? The Times as indignant opener of City/Chamber secrets is a ludicrous image. Can we now anticipate the Times will ferret out the doings of other quasi-public regional or local masters of our fate? before the fact rather than after it, I mean. Don’t wait for the double-columned chart of public officials’ and their connections.

By: cancel your sunday paper

cancel your sunday paper — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 04:39:45 +0000

I feel safer already. Wow, thanks NWA Media for cleaning up the streets. I really hated the idea of offering a place for artists to work, brides to be married, and meetings to be held. Vacant buildings on the square are key for fayetteville. Who’s next on your hit list?

By: Jonas Hunt

Jonas Hunt — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 04:27:51 +0000

The weird thing about the summons is the Springdale address.

By: Story's sake

Story's sake — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 04:11:54 +0000

I would think it would be protocol to present to the A&P commission FIRST——–ANY DOCUMENTATION pertinent
the A&P commission is the nominated body to serve the city of Fayetteville–is it not? By getting their approval on the counter offer or even knowledge of it, I would think that would negate any FOI or other accusations of wrongdoing by Ms. Heifner. I don’t see any of this being for her own personal gain–Wasn’t the proposal initially based on bringing the underground and “no where to go Meetings” to the Old P>O>???? Seems like a “no win” situation to me–If I were in her shoes……..

By: Story's sake

Story's sake — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 04:02:36 +0000

That might be nice. What is the policy for the Advertising and Promotions Commission regarding public documentation? It seems as if Ms. Heifner was in a no win situation. The document was presented to her, however from my understanding, it appears that she didn’t have the time to present such documentation to the A&P Commission–so what comes first–the public or the public commission she is the executive director of???

By: Laurie

Laurie — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 03:43:32 +0000

Obviously, she just didn’t realize that an FOI request didn’t require a printed document stating “this is an FOI request”. Was it a violation? Sure. Should she be fired? Of course not. If she is effectively doing her job she should be left alone to continue to perform her duties after paying the fine. And perhaps the city should put together a training session about FOI for all of their other employees??