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EDITORIAL
Secrecy in Henderson
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Updated: Feb. 15, 2012 | 11:25 p.m.
Apparently, the concept of open government doesn't resonate down at Henderson City Hall.
Less than two weeks after the city refused to reveal the names of all the Henderson police officers involved in a videotaped beating that cost taxpayers more than a quarter-million dollars, a spokeswoman on Monday said officials there won't release the tape of a 911 call made from the home of a former city councilwoman involved in a local scandal.
The fig leaf?
"The release of the content of the 911 tape, containing private medical information, serves no genuine public interest," said Henderson spokeswoman Kathleen Richards, arguing that making the tape public would violate federal laws concerning medical privacy, as well.
Ms. Vermillion is being investigated for potentially misusing the funds of a youth charity she founded a decade ago. She resigned from the City Council amid the allegations. The 911 call was apparently made by her 15-year-old daughter and involves a possible suicide attempt. Ms. Vermillion was hospitalized earlier this month.
Whether the call contains anything of "genuine public interest" is not for city officials to decide. Use of such an arbitrary standard elevates secrecy and bureaucratic whim above vital tenets such as openness and transparency.
The notion that releasing the call would violate federal statutes regarding health care privacy is pure and unadulterated poppycock.
Neither the 911 operator nor the city is a health care provider, no matter how officials seek to twist federal law. In addition, a person volunteering information in a 911 call is doing so in a public forum, not some confidential setting.
Henderson officials have reached a faulty conclusion. They should release the tape. Then they should sign up for a basic course on good government and open records.
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CORRUPT,INEPT,SELF SERVING,ARROGANT,ABOVE THE LAW,BUT BELOW THE STANDARD OF DECENCY.WHAT DO YOU GET WHEN YOU CROSS A PIG WITH REID? ANSWER,THERE ARE SOME THINGS EVEN A PIG WON'T DO.
Andy Hafen learned how to cover things up from his mentor Harry Reid.
At least we know that the name of the City Lawyer. Daddy's little boy.
Maybe you should look to Henderson's city attorney Reid oh I forgot can't touch him he's Andy Hafens boy
Yes it's true Mr. Lee the "BELL Syndrome" has infected that fair city. The only known cure is the boot or the guillotine. Citizens are stocking up on pitchforks, scythes and torches. Children are being sent to the countryside.
No different than the Federal Government, just on a smaller scale.
Hooterville
Use election time wisely. Why would any try to hide this information from the taxpayer's. Are any of the police officer's related to the councilmen?
Does a star chamber exist in Hendeerson?
It's not about the Vermillion case or the police kicking the crap out of an innocent person. It is about the close mouthed secrecy our city officials. The taxpayers are being kept in the close and are mad that justice is not being done. Spineless individuals, all of them. Jutta, Josh, Andy and the council-all cowards.