By Kelly Shannon

[dropcap]W[/dropcap]hether depending on our government for storm recovery, good schools, police protection or other important services, openness and access to information are essential to ensuring the job gets done.

A free flow of information helps citizens keep watch on their government. It also allows journalists to report on matters of widespread interest by scrutinizing public records and meetings and, just as importantly, asking necessary, tough questions of government offici...