The
citizen's information webpage has a bit of a new look (and an even newer look is on the horizon). In the left hand column of each page you will find a list of the following links:
- Audio/Video Files: this page contains links to audio and video recordings of the Christiansburg Town Council and Planning Commission along with some additional files such as the 2008 Candidate Forums.
- Town Council & Planning Commission Meeting Minutes
- Town Code and Town Charter
- Comprehensive Plan
- Surveys (new ones coming soon)
- Town Documents Home: Audits and Budgets
- Christiansburg Aquatic Center: information added as it becomes available, current has copy of draft agreement with Tech, and floor plans.
- Parks and Recreations: program schedules, master plans, other events as information is received
- Christiansburg Crime Stats: New page provided by the Police Department containing Crime Reports
- ADA and Trails (informational)
- Empowering Citizens - Power Sources of Information (informational)
- League of Women Voters Information: National, State, and Local links/information
- Non-Partisan Redistricting - We Need it NOW! (informational)
Other documents are slowly being acquired from the Town and from individuals. Those will be added as I am able. I hope you find some of these useful. If you think of something I've missed, let me know and I'll see what I can do.
Christiansburg is soon to unveil its new website. Rather than stop my endeavor (I'm actually moving the information to a site where I will have unlimited storage capacity), I will continue to try to keep up with some of the documents they don't provide. Given the massive amount of public documents that are seldom, if ever, requested by the public, it would be crazy for the Town to try to post all documents. Simply remember that any document you need you can request from the town to be sent to you via email, or to have a copy made and pick it up, or just walk in and ask to see the document.
Find out if what you want is covered by FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) by using the
Citizen's Guide provided by Virginia Coalition for Open Government.Be a responsible citizen and ask for what you want. If you don't get it, submit a written request (
Virginia Coalition for Open Government has a letter generator on their website that helps you write one in the proper form). If that does not get you what you want, there should be provided to you a statement of why you cannot obtain the document. If doubt still remain, the
Virginia Coalition for Open Government provides a means for you to ask them questions and to find solid answers as to what you can and cannot legally obtain. Please try to find the information you need first. If you are having problems working your way through their website, let me know and I will help you do so.
Even more importantly, don't wait for me or anyone else to 'get around to it'. It's your government and you have the right to ask questions and get answers. After a bit of a bumpy start, as I learned about my rights, and the Town learned about their responsibilities, the Town has been very helpful and professional in providing me with documents I am entitled to and in saying no when it was appropriate. I know I've learned a lot for this experience. It seems I'm not the only one to have learned a bit though:) Thank you Town staff and administration for your assistance in providing these documents to citizens.