Cooper City commissioner to help develop Sunshine policy for web communications
A Cooper City commission has been appointed to the Sunshine Technology Team. Commission John Sims will work with Florida 
Attorney General Bill McCollum to explore open government requirements as related to electronic communications and emerging technology. Sims will look at texting, instant messaging, Voice-Over IP, Facebook and Twitter and help develop policy and procedures for easier compliance with the public records (Sunshine) laws.
Under Florida’s public records laws, the form of communication does not matter, whether written or electronic. The same law requiring that memos or letters on paper to and from government officials be saved and open to public review also applies to e-mails, text messages, ‘tweets’ or the Blackberry-to-Blackberry communications (PIN’s).
“I am honored and excited to announce my appointment to the Sunshine Technology Team,” said Sims. “Policy regarding covert communications between elected officials must be addressed since technology has moved fast, while laws move slowly. As such, and as part of our fact-finding mission, my ears are open to your comments and concerns…”
Commissioner John Sims can be reached at johnsims@bellsouth.net, on Facebook or at http://johnsims3.blogspot.com/.
Short URL: http://browardnetonline.com/?p=5231
Posted by Andrea Freygang
on Dec 16 2009. Filed under Broward County, cooper city, Fort Lauderdale, Local news, Tallahassee, Technology.
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I was informed that my understanding of this group was in error and that this is not a policy making venue. Regardless, I will continue to be involved and give my recommendations. The description of the group’s activities and objectives are that the group is not developing policies and procedures and participants are not formally appointed to the work group. The workgroup is for fact-finding purposes. I look forward to participation and welcome any points you may wish to bring regarding social media.
John Sims
The group was able to formulate some reommendations for the Attorney General who will hopefully make policy on behalf of the resident’s of the State of Florida. I am proud to have been able to participate in this workshop to eventually enable a policy to prevail regarding blatant violations of The Sunshine Laws.
John Sims