Press Release
Monday, May 18, 2020
Contact: Toby Nixon 206-790-6377
Key Awards go to governor, KING5, whistleblower and legal team
The Washington Coalition for Open Government will honor Governor Jay Inslee and two top staff members this month with the organization’s Key Award for their efforts to keep government information accessible to Washingtonians during the global pandemic and Stay Home, Stay Healthy orders. Chief of Staff David Postman and Chief Legal Counsel Kathryn Leathers will share the honor because of their efforts seeking input from WashCOG and other open government advocates on this important matter.
“We want to recognize and shine a light on the excellent work that was done on the proclamation on the PRA and OPMA,” said WashCOG President Toby Nixon. “We very much appreciated the process that was used that included stakeholders and sincerely considered our input. We believe the proclamation did just what was required to adapt to the pandemic while preserving as much as possible the public’s right to know what their government is doing.”
The Key Award is given throughout the year to organizations and individuals who go to extraordinary lengths to ensure public access to government information and meetings. WashCOG Executive Director Juli Bunting says Key Awards are presented at a mutually agreed upon time and place.
Social distancing and stay at home directives will not allow us to present this to the Governor and his staff in person, so we are pleased and honored to present it through videoconferencing.
Other recently honored Key Award recipients include:
KING5 TV Investigative Reporter Chris Ingalls and producer Pete Saiers, and KING5 parent company TEGNA were so relentless when it came to pursuing information about mold issues at Children's Hospital, they didn't back down even in the face of a lawsuit to prevent them from asking for that information. There were deaths at Children's Hospital because of mold issues and Chris and his team believe the public has the right to know all the information. WCOG presented Chris, producer Pete Saiers, and parent company, TEGNA, a Key Award for their refusal to back down in the pursuit of critical public information. Having won the first round in court, the case is currently on appeal.
Edward Kilduff, Nick Power, and Michele Earl-Hubbard. Edward Kilduff discovered government misconduct and made a public records request. A whistleblower confirmed the county obfuscated and deliberately hid records from him. He filed suit, the county fought the lawsuit and filed for sanctions against everyone involved with Mr. Kilduff. The trial court found for the county and sanctioned Mr. Kilduff and his attorneys. But he did not give up. He and his attorneys were diligent, patient, and able to stand up in a meaningful way against government attempts to shield themselves from transparency. WCOG looks forward to presenting these awards when appropriate.
The Washington Coalition for Open Government is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that works to ensure government transparency. Please consider joining our committed group today or make a donation. Visit www.washingtoncog.org for more information.