In a turn of events that raises more questions than it answers, Jeff Davis County has brought in an Austin-based law firm, Bickerstaff Heath Delgado Acosta LLP, to deal with a records request I filed under the Texas Public Information Act. This request, aimed at uncovering county records related to the Big Bend Times and myself, has been met with an unexpectedly secretive and resistant approach from the county.
The engagement of external legal counsel by the county is not just a departure from using in-house resources but a significant indicator of the lengths they are willing to go to keep certain documents under wraps. The firm has produced a substantial volume of work aimed at preventing the release of these records. The sheer number of pages involved and the county’s staunch refusal to disclose them begs the question: What are they trying to hide?
My initial request was straightforward, seeking access to documents relating to our publication and myself. However, the responses from County Attorney Glen Eisen and Justice of the Peace Mary Ann Luedecke were startlingly sparse and dismissive. Eisen’s offering of a single email and Luedecke’s claim of having no responsive information contrast sharply with the extensive efforts now being made to shield the bulk of the records.
The hiring of Bickerstaff Heath Delgado Acosta LLP isn’t just about managing legal complexities; it’s a clear message that the county is willing to invest significant resources to keep these records from seeing the light of day. This decision, no doubt costly for Jeff Davis County taxpayers, is shrouded in opacity, as my requests for information regarding the costs incurred have gone unanswered.
This situation isn’t just about a conflict between a local news outlet and county officials; it’s a matter of public interest and the right to governmental transparency. The resistance I’m encountering, compounded by past threats of false charges against me by county officials, paints a troubling picture of the relationship between the county and the press.
As I continue to push for the release of these documents and transparency about the legal costs involved, I remain committed to uncovering the truth behind the county’s actions. The role of the Big Bend Times, and indeed any journalistic enterprise, is to hold public officials accountable and ensure that the public’s right to know is upheld. This ongoing struggle in Jeff Davis County exemplifies the challenges we face in this mission.
Stay tuned to the Big Bend Times for further updates on this developing story, as I delve deeper into the county’s attempts to obscure information that rightfully belongs in the public domain.
These officials would not go to this length if there were not something nefarious or embarrassing that they are trying to hide. They’re in somebody’s pocket. Go get ’em!