Celebrating Sunshine Week: Help hold governments accountable
As organizations across the nation mark Sunshine Week, use this time to learn about your right to access public documents and encourage Wheeling’s government to embrace transparency.
COMMENTARY — For 20 years, organizations across the nation have marked this week–March 16 to 22–as “Sunshine Week” to remind citizens of their rights to request, obtain and inspect public documents. By using your rights, you help carry the torch that fuels our democracy.
This celebration is more important now than ever before as elected officials–from small towns to the oval office–attempt to roll back press freedoms, conduct business behind closed doors and stonewall journalists and ordinary citizens seeking answers.
The city of Wheeling is not immune to these democracy-destroying practices.
Since its inception, Wheeling Free Press has strived to tell Wheeling residents the full story of our city–including the bits and pieces left out by legacy media and our leaders.
Wheeling Free Press was the first to report on the cost of clearing homeless encampments in the city. We were the first to investigate the illegal mailer campaign during 2024’s municipal election. We were the first to investigate the multi-million dollar damages caused at our city’s wastewater treatment plant.
Each of these stories was made possible by Freedom of Information Act, or FOIA, requests.
While it is not our intention to upset–or excite, for that matter–with our work, it’s clear Wheeling Free Press has rubbed a sensitive nerve with city leaders.
Over the past year, Wheeling Free Press has sent seven FOIA requests to the city. Two were rejected for being “overbroad and burdensome” despite a clear timeline for specific pieces of information. Five others have been completely ignored–no response, rejection or acknowledgement–in violation of state law.
When Wheeling Free Press sends requests for comments on a story to city councilors or City Manager Robert Herron, we are rejected or ignored. When we request interviews with the chief of police or members of the administration, we are rejected or ignored.
And this publication isn’t alone in the dark.
For months, citizens have shown up to city council meetings to speak out against the lack of communication from city officials. On Feb. 18, two residents addressed the city council, saying they tried for years to address safety concerns related to road slip and the deterioration of city stairways. Despite that, they said the city failed to respond.
City councilors–the legislative branch of the city of Wheeling–rarely discuss ordinances or resolutions at meetings before they are approved. They rarely ask the city manager–the executive branch of the city–questions about the city he’s tasked with leading. They rarely speak to you–the citizens and their constituents–during their council remarks.
The lack of transparency at public meetings combined with routine denials of FOIA requests, interviews and comment requests is deeply concerning. Democracy weakens when governments ignore the governed and the free press. All decisions, either positive or negative, are tainted by the darkness in which they were made. People begin to lose trust and faith in leadership, leaving them apathetic and unengaged at best or cynical and suspicious at worst.
It doesn’t have to be this way. You can help turn the tide and pressure Wheeling’s government–and all governments–to be more accountable and transparent. You can ensure they let the light shine during this Sunshine Week! Here’s how:
Show up to city council meetings and speak your mind! Wheeling residents can sign up to speak during meetings. Show up at least 15 minutes before meetings start to sign up. At the end of the meeting, you’re given three minutes to say anything you want.
Visit sunshineweek.org to learn more about their work.
Submit a FOIA request! All people have a right to ask their government to review documents, and those governments are required by state law to provide a response within five business days. Save for some key exceptions, almost every document is available! Read the law on FOIA requests, use a sample letter or letter generator to draft your letter, learn how to submit FOIA requests and send them to your custodian of records!
Write a letter, email or social media post to Wheeling’s city manager, city solicitor, mayor or members of council telling them you support and rely on Wheeling Free Press. Encourage them to respond to our requests for comments, interviews and public records.
Subscribe to Wheeling Free Press for free or $5 a month(It doesn’t matter what you pick! All of our stories will be free to view forever, but your financial support helps continue our work). Share this story—and others—and tell your friends and family about us!
Citizens have the power to hold their governments accountable. It’s not always easy, but there are tools to help you and your community stay informed and engaged. With your help and support, Wheeling Free Press will continue carrying the torch that fuels our democracy alongside you.