Modesto Bee

8/11/03

Hughson residents taking notice

By JULISSA McKINNON

HUGHSON -- City officials and residents alike are paying closer attention to what government is doing, or not doing, in this close-knit farming community.

City credit card charges and a $14,725 loan have drawn the most attention, but Councilman Dennis Prouty says there is trouble elsewhere.

At a recent council meeting, he called for independent investigations of the Building and Planning departments, saying that more than 30 inhabited homes and businesses -- including City Hall -- lack permits.

Mayor Pro Tem Ken Moore, at the same meeting, called for an independent audit of city finances. "I think we should give (the investigator) carte blanche, whatever they need, and let the chips fall where they may," Moore said.

While the City Council considers bringing in outsiders to look into various departments, other people in this city of 4,000 are conducting their own investigations.

Since mid-May, when Sheila Doberenz first asked for documents regarding the $14,725 home improvement loan to her neighbor, City Hall has seen more than 30 requests for materials under the Freedom of Information Act.

At least a dozen of the requests came from residents, not the media, City Manager Bob Wilburn said. The applicants have asked for more than 2,000 copies of city documents.

"It's a fishing expedition," Wilburn said. "There's a deliberate attempt to draw attention away from other things concerning the mayor and toward me."

Jason Myers, a political science professor with the California State University, Stanislaus, said heightened public vigilance is one of the few positive repercussions of alleged wrongdoing in government.

"It's more common for people to develop a cynical attitude about government and assume all politicians are corrupt and on the take," Myers said.

"But if there are more citizens taking an active role, that's when democracy functions best. Some type of public scrutiny shows that the public is holding their leaders accountable."

City Council members had mixed reactions to the Hughson citizenry's newfound zeal for public documents.

Councilman Kevin Ricks said he supports people's right to inspect government, but the sudden demand for documents signals a growing distrust.

"There have been abuses, so it's natural that people want to dig and find more," Ricks said. "Bart's decision to stay in office and not resign continues to draw negative attention and interfere with city business."

Conner did not return phone calls requesting comment.

Prouty said public records requests cost the city when staff must ask City Attorney John Stovall if documents are releasable under the Freedom of Information Act. Consultation with the attorney is not cheap, Prouty said.

"There's a side of me that says we're taxing the staff and costing the city additional time and money," the councilman said. "On the other side, people have a right to know, and a right to open government."

Bee staff writer Julissa McKinnon can be reached at 578-2324 or jmckinnon@fmodbee.com.