By Margo C. Pope, Associate Editor, St. Augustine Record

Florida’s Sunshine and Public Records laws are about quality of life.

They open up government to all of us before, during and after the actions of elected and appointed officials. These actions affect the way we live and work.

Today, we recognize access through Sunshine Sunday, begun by the Florida Society of Newspaper Editors in 2002. It is now part of a week-long national effort led by the American Society of Newspaper Editors. The goal is to increase the public’s knowledge that access to government meetings and public records is for everyone, not just the journalist. We want your help protecting that access with our legislators and Congress. Tell them now why they need to keep the sun shining on government.

You should be proud to do so. You live in the state that got the access push going.

Florida’s Public Records Law, Chapter 119 in Florida Statutes, was enacted in 1909.

Florida’s Government-in-the-Sunshine Law, Chapter 286 in Florida Statutes, went on the books in the 1967-68 fiscal year.

Think about what you can get from public records in addition to meeting agendas and minutes. Recall, too, how you can speak your mind at the City Commission meeting, for example, because of the Sunshine Law.

Here are some examples of public records you can get because of our access laws:

• The very quiet neighbor down the street from you may want to know what your house is appraised at but doesn’t want you to know he’s asking. It’s public record under Chapter 119, Florida Statutes. Both of you can find the answer on the St. Johns County Property Appraiser’s Web site, www.sjcpa.us. Click on “property owner search” and follow the links.

• A local Realtor hears that a major development may be headed our way and she wants a piece of the action. A link from the county’s Web site, www.co.st-johns.fl.us/BCC/growth_mgmt_services/ will get you both to the list of proposed major developments filed, and the documents supporting the plan; all are public record.

• Someone you know is considering a run for public office next fall. You can go to the St. Johns County Supervisor of Elections Web site, www.sjcvotes.us/ and follow the links to candidates and financial reports. You can see who has opened a campaign account, the first step to running for office, and who is giving them money.

• You want to be on St. Augustine Mayor George Gardner’s newsletter list. You can e-mail him to join his list at gardner@aug.com.

• You want to check the public school calendar, dress code, find a School Board member, or read what the superintendent of schools has to say. Get it all at the St. Johns County School District Web site, www.stjohns.k12.fl.us.

• Lots of records are found on the Clerk of the Courts Web site, www.clk.co.st-johns.fl.us, too.

Having Internet access makes it easy to get many public documents from home or office.

What you find may spur you to greater action. Our state’s Sunshine and Public Records laws are your tickets, via the Internet or in person, to first-hand knowledge of what local government may have in our future. Use those laws.

Too often, the public envies reporters, editors, photographers, and broadcasters for being “inside the ropes.”

Florida’s open government laws let you be an insider, too.

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