The Mayor of Vienna Plays the Shell Game
Jane Seeman, Posing As A Monkey, Likes to Play Games
It has come to our attention that a letter exists from the owners of the commercial property at the corner of Maple Avenue and Pleasant Street to the Mayor, Town Council and Zoning Director. The letter, which we have not seen yet, outlines problems with the current plans to revitalize Maple Avenue. Of course, upon hearing about this letter we asked for a copy. In the spirit of open government (NOT!) we heard back from the Town Public Information Officer:
The Town Attorney has advised that the letter is exempt from disclosure under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), and the Mayor has chosen to invoke this exemption.
Way to go Jane! Does the letter contain State secrets? Or maybe you are holding it back due to terror concerns? Given your credibility there must be a good reason? You would not hold it back just because it was embarrassing now would you Momma Red Hunter? The specific section of FOIA that they used to block the release of the letter is as follows:
§ 2.2-3705.7. Exclusions to application of chapter; records of specific public bodies and certain other limited exemptions. 2. Working papers and correspondence of the Office of the Governor; Lieutenant Governor; the Attorney General; the members of the General Assembly or the Division of Legislative Services; the mayor or chief executive officer of any political subdivision of the Commonwealth; or the president or other chief executive officer of any public institution of higher education in Virginia. However, no record, which is otherwise open to inspection under this chapter, shall be deemed exempt by virtue of the fact that it has been attached to or incorporated within any working paper or correspondence.
We wonder what this letter, sent to everyone in the Town governmental structure, could say that would cause the Mayor to take an action that makes her look like she is hiding something? At what stage is it appropriate to say Seeman is corrupt? Now perhaps? Of course, we will post the letter as soon as we get it. How will we get it? Now that we know the letter was sent to the Town Zoning Administrator too, he doesn't have any State exemptions that we know about...
Comments
FRIGHTENING!
Posted by: Right for Vienna | January 22, 2007 03:34 PM
Does not surprise me Jane tried to hide this letter. Have all you forgot Jane is a Republican? She and Maud$$ rule with that mentality. She is nothing more than another loose cannon in the Republican Party. She is definitely wants to slam the door on the changing face on the Town of Vienna. Check out her son’s web site. Theredhunter.com.
Posted by: Time to Speak Out | January 22, 2007 07:50 PM
It's kind of scary, actually, when our "elected" representatives invoke the law to uphold the behaviour that the law was written to prevent!!
It must have taken a lawyer to help them realize they might be able to get away with it. Does the town have access to an attorney?
Hmmm...am I paranoid? Or are they all in it together??
Posted by: tbrduc | January 22, 2007 08:03 PM
The letter, from what we can gather so far, comes from the owners of the Marco Polo and Chuck Sloan's law office. Apparently, they are none too happy with Council actions.
Posted by: Historic Vienna | January 22, 2007 09:31 PM
A letter was asked for via FOIA. Jane thought she could hide the fact that it went to all Council members and Mr. Hembree. How childish. This Town is run by "what the definition of is is". Stop it, be open, be honest!
Posted by: frustrated citizen too | January 24, 2007 03:39 PM