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When the Atlanta Journal Constitution and the Georgia First Amendment Foundation chose its 2005 Citizen Heroes, Altamaha Riverkeeper James Holland was among them. The heroes were selected for their effective use of Georgia's Open Records Laws. Better known as the Sunshine Laws, the laws were signed into effect in 1972 by Governor Jimmy Carter and mandate the public has a right to see, inspect, and copy all public records.
Holland says the open records act guarantees access to critical information in order to fight polluters and to make developers and government comply with clean water laws.
ARK agrees with Attorney General Thurbert E. Baker who says, "I strongly believe the government operates best when it operates openly... citizens must also be ever vigilant in assuring that their rights in this area are observed by those who serve in their behalf."
For more information on Georgia's Sunshine Laws you may refer to the Georgia First Amendment Foundation website: www.gfaf.org.
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Jim Wooten and Cynthia Tucker of the Atlanta Journal Constitution present
James Holland with 2005 Citizen Hero Award.
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