How open are Asheville’s records?

The Citizen-Times has published a thorough article on the City of Asheville’s public records practices as part of its ongoing reporting on Sunshine Week.

The article quotes SMVT partner and North Carolina Press Association counsel Amanda Martin several times:

 “Our democracy is based on having an educated public,” North Carolina Press Association Attorney Amanda Martin says of the importance of open records. “The best way for the public to be educated about governmental issues is to see them and hear them and draw judgments for themselves.”

…

“The law says anyone can request public records,” Martin emphasizes. “You don’t even have to be a North Carolina resident.”

Nor do those requests have to take any specific form, though she notes that in many cases an email or written request “could make it a little more efficient or clear.”

You can read the entire article here.