Logan County residents, I am writing to inform you of a current public records request project ongoing in our area and state. The Ohio Citizens Accounting Standards Board has taken it upon themselves to request disbursement ledgers, salary records and annual budgets from our local townships, villages, cities and school boards. Although the requests fall within the purveyance of the Sunshine Laws, I consider the request as an attempt to infringe on my right to elected representation. This program is proving an unnecessary burden on our small local governments which provide us with a multitude of services we may have taken for granted.
Their project, in my opinion, does not violate any law, but represents a lethargic, unprofessional and disrespectful means to promote transparency in our governing bodies. If they had taken the time to appear at a local meeting, they would see ordinary citizens already performing this vital task. As a resident of Monroe Township, I frequently attend trustee meetings and Benjamin Logan School Board meetings as my schedule permits. I am effecting my own transparency by participating in our governing process.
I would like to encourage my fellow Logan County residents to resist the April 15th Project; show the members of the CASB you are accepting the responsibilities in our community. We have voted our representation into office; an external, private organization with possibly very limited local integration is trying to usurp this. Please, take the time and attend your trustee, village, city, county and school board meetings. I have experienced nothing short of trustworthy service from my organizations.
Mike Pelger
Zanesfield
Opinion 
