Pennsylvanians May Photograph Public Records Says Open Records Office — The Pennsylvania Office of Open Records, yesterday, Aug. 14, issued a decision — Muenz v. Township of Reserve — which holds that requesters can photograph public records which they asked to inspect.
Under the Right-to-Know Law, agencies cannot charge requesters who wish to use their own equipment, such as a smartphone, to photograph public records which they asked to inspect, the agency ruled.
Just something to know if a clerk gives one grief about being a curious citizen.
Someone will certainly give you grief. They will say, “An order exists from the president judge which precludes photography or videography in a courthouse.” Ever heard of a Judge, taking control of an entire building based upon an order? Read the order for yourself, and see if you can tease out “prior restraint”.
Will someone be threatened, intimidated, coerced or violated under color of law for not following unlawful directives when simply trying to gather information? You bet your bippy. Can a private individual be removed from public property trying to record. Absolutely! Just settle you issue in court as being removed was either consented to, where by no need to resolve it in court. Or, it was done without consent and was under Color of Law. But, nobody has time for that either. Don’t trust the words, look for the actions. If you don’t have a record, it never happened.
Except for this: https://www.thelancasterpatriot.com/judge-ashworth-requests-mike-millers-appeal-be-denied/?fbclid=IwAR3DrsAcIkxIneP-sTA2FpEqYf7skqzTZ_rGtMDWeuGm_C6Bqbl9F6XwrQ0
Very true Donna. Mike Miller was stopped by the Sheriff enforcing an unlawful directive to prevent Mike from reviewing, inspecting and recording the public records. The Sheriff was violating a “court order” and would not honor the court order. Mike would have had to put himself at risk of being assaulted, kidnapped and arrested by the Sheriff if he attempted to assert his constitutional rights based upon what the Open Office Records stated. Is it reasonable that the Sheriff would verify the limits of his authority? How about check on the lawfulness of a document which contradicts the court order? Mike, for the safety of his career and family had to retreat from the violence inherent in the system and try the administrative legal battle. Who has the time, knowledge or inclination to take on that fight (alone)? People want the benefit of change, but are absent from the battle to demand the change. Individuals like Mike and Myself are in the fight. Others want the status updates, and desire us to “win”, but are silent unless we win. It is easier to shout how messed things are messed up, while spectating. Will Mike achieve success? My opinion doesn’t matter.
Don’t give up.
The more that’s exposed the harder it is for the public to stay asleep.
What you’re doing makes a difference.
It’s one thing for the Open Records Office to denies an appeal. Things start looking pretty weird when the Open Records Office grants it and the county keeps fighting.
What our side hasn’t quite got the hang of is using the public square when the government gangs up on us.
I will affirm your observation. What conservatives are missing is unity in strategy and action. Incredibly powerful in packing arenas waving flags, cheering, and shouting in agreement of “we won’t stand for this!” But, lawfully not standing for this like an unlawful sheriff, Election Commissioners, or unlawful threats by public servants, it’s true, nobody will stand. It is rooted in fear of the flesh from the retaliatory power of state actors. So, no standing, it’s turning and walking away, or submitting. If We The People stand for nothing, we demonstrate that we will fall for anything. I have been teaching people how to stand free, and constantly repeat “Don’t Stand Free!” The tribe of individuals who stand free are very small and they are easy to find. They will be named defendants based upon alleged crimes. They also will be Pro Se plaintiffs against public servants (denied qualified immunity, in their private capacity – in Federal Court). If people find those folks, they are worth talking to and listening.
Don’t doubt for a moment that you are making an impact.
I am reading what you wrote. I hear what you are saying, but I have no visible evidence to verify it is true. I have zero feedback from anyone other than those inside of my Private Membership Association. No interaction on my social posts, videos, or my website. I accept that I am shadow banned, and silenced by big tech. I’m not giving up at all, I am in this for myself, my wife, my daughters future and those very brave and supportive people who have been following me every step of the way for almost 2 years.
Are you on Twitter?
I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention Greg Stenstrom’s
https://patriot.online/
I have many socials:
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/parent_dome
TikTok: http://www.tiktok.com/@CulturalContrarian
Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/@culturalcontrarian5762
Patriot online has been silent for me, same with Wimkin, Gab, Rumble, Odysee, Truth Social. You name the platform engagement is crickets. It is a combination of me & my message. People are not very tolerant of individuals with disabilities.
We already follow each other on Twitter believe it or not.
You don’t appear to be shadow banned https://taishin-miyamoto.com/ShadowBan/
But I haven’t seen much from you.
I just liked and retweeted your last thing.
Anyone on Twitter who reads this give a follow to http://www.twitter.com/parent_dome
To get action on Gab and Truth Social you should be posting in a group. Both of them have active Pennsylvania groups.
Gab’s can be found here: https://gab.com/groups/230
Truth Social’s can be found here: https://truthsocial.com/group/lets-roll-pennsylvania
The fight’s not over but the decision is good ammunition.
Some Delco residents had the same issue and Commonwealth Court punted it back to Delco Common Pleas Court on a matter of standing.
Common Pleas Court never heard the case because the county conceded to their request before they got the chance.
https://billlawrenceonline.com/delaware-county-concedes/
It’s funny how Lanco is fighting this as they are allegedly a solid R county.
Also the Miller case is not the same as Muenz v. Township of Reserve.
Muenz involved a township so that ruling can most certainly be cited for those seeking township records.
Miller involves elections which the powers-that-be use technicalities to try and keep hidden.
Greg Stenstrom made a great argument before Commonwealth Court in his fight with Delco which is the exact same issue as what’s going on in Lanco.
https://billlawrenceonline.com/delco-ballot-envelope-signature-case/
And let’s not forget that the ruling in Muenz specifically involved photography and the Lanco judge was almost certainly not aware of the ruling when he made his appeal.
Don’t get discouraged.
And it’s still very weird solid “Republican” Lancaster County is fighting this.