SUNBURY— The City of Sunbury was notified Monday by the state Office of Open Records, that the investigative report on the police department must be released. The Daily Item’s original right-to-know request for the Ballard Spahr report on the police department, was denied by city clerk and right-to-know officer Terry Specht. The city maintained the report was protected by attorney client privilege. The newspaper appealed the city’s decision and both parties were notified yesterday that the report must be released to the public.
The Office of Open Reocrds allowed for some portions of the report to be redacted, such as attorney’s recommendations. Sunbury City Council took up the matter at their meeting Monday. Mayor David Persing made a motion to release the report with redactions saying, “I made that in a form of a motion because I want this to be released as soon as it can be released and I want it to be released under legal advice.”
After negative audience feedback and many public comments to release the report in full city council took a ten minute recess. When the board returned, the Mayor’s motion to redact the report was not seconded.
Councilman Reichner then motioned to release the police investigation report in full, the only dissenting vote on that motion was from Mayor Persing.
Councilman Henry, who seconded Reichner’s Motion found the report shocking saying, “I don’t want to take another chance and spend more money, I don’t thinks its warrant for that. The public needs to know whats going on, when I read the report I was shocked by what was in there.”
The city has 30 days to comply with the state’s order to release the report. Sunbury’s right-to-know officer, Terry Specht says as soon as they receive the report from the attorneys the city will release it. (Sarah Benek)