News & Opinion

Southern California: Mayor accuses Fillmore councilwoman of violating confidence

Fillmore’s mayor has alleged that a councilwoman violated California’s open meeting law, the Brown Act, when she told a newspaper the results of a closed session evaluating the city manager. -db Ventura County Star October 18, 2010 By Mike Harris In the latest in a string of alleged Brown Act violations by Fillmore City Council members, Mayor Patti Walker has accused Councilwoman Laurie Hernandez of disclosing to a newspaper the confidential job evaluation of embattled

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Microsoft helping dissenting groups survive crackdowns by oppressive governments

Microsoft is providing software to advocacy groups, the media, and non-profits operating under oppressive governments to help them avoid allegations that they are installing pirated Microsoft software. -db The New York Times October 16, 2010 By Clifford J. Levy MOSCOW — Microsoft is vastly expanding its efforts to prevent governments from using software piracy inquiries as a pretext to suppress dissent. It plans to provide free software licenses to more than 500,000 advocacy groups, independent

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Free speech: San Diego firefighters win partial ruling over forced participation in gay parade

A California appeals court ruled that San Diego firefighter did not lose state free speech rights but suffered a hostile and abusive work environment in enduring harassment during a gay rights parade they were forced to participate in. -db Metropolitan News-Enterprise October 15, 2010 By Steven M. Ellis The Fourth District Court of Appeal ruled yesterday that four San Diego firefighters were sexually harassed while participating against their will in the city’s 2007 Pride Parade,

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South Pasadena under investigation for alleged Brown Act violation

The district attorney is checking into whether the South Pasadena City Council violated California’s Brown Act, the open meeting law, in interviewing prospective police chiefs in close session. -db San Jose Mercury News October 14, 2010 By Brian Charles SOUTH PASADENA – The District Attorney’s Office is investigating whether the City Council violated provisions of the state’s open meetings law when members went behind closed door to interview candidates for the police chief’s job. The

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Santa Ynez: School principal loses case alleging open meeting violation

A California court dismissed allegations that the Santa Ynez union Valley High School District Board violated the Brown Act, the state’s open meeting law, in meeting in closed session to consider complaints against a former principal. -db Santa Ynez Valley Journal October 14, 2010 By SYVJ Staff The Second District Court of Appeals, in an unpublished decision, affirmed the trial court’s decision dismissing a suit brought by Norman Clevenger, alleging that the Santa Ynez Union

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