With my two-year cell phone contract set to expire, I have begun the unpleasant experience of shopping for a new cell phone. The sales people push models that can outperform my personal computer. Such cell phones would allow me to take pictures and video, send and receive e-mail, browse the Web, navigate a car, downloand and listen to music, even watch streaming television. [more]
It doesn't matter how much money you make or how little. Decide now how to distribute your assets and protect your family after your death, or the state of Pennsylvania will decide for you. [more]
Eleven months have passed since Pennsylvania's new Right-to-Know Law (RTKL) became effective. In this short time, the RTKL, found at 65 P.S. Section 67.101 et seq., has had a major impact on the transparency of borough operations and the accessiblity of the public to "public records" created and maintained in the course of borough activities. [more]
Nauman Smith Attorney Craig Staudenmaier appeared on ABC-TV affiliate WTAE-4, Pittsburgh, to discuss public access to office leasing information pertaining to the PA Legislature under the PA Right-to-Know Law. To view the story and video click here. [more]
Municipalities across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania are struggling to address the pressing need to replace and upgrade their aged infrastructure. The challenge is particularly acute in older municipalities and rural areas where infrastructure such as sanitary sewer and water treatment facilities have exceeded their useful life or are non-existent. [more]
Around the state, Open Records Officers ("ORO") are receiving requests for third party documents. For example, a competitor of a home contractor filed a request for blueprints that were submitted to a township through a building permit application. See Maller v. West Manheim Township, AP 2009-0498 (OOR, July 17, 2009). These types of requests are the result of provisions of the new Right-to-Know Law ("RTK") which are designed to increase the transparency of government operations. OROs can take comfort in the fact that the RTKL establishes a clear procedure for dealing with these types of requests. [more]
For more articles, visit the archives.
Nauman Smith attorney J. Stephen Feinour has been appointed Solicitor for Upper Allen Township in Cumberland County by the Township Board of Commissioners. Upper Allen Township was formed in 1850 and became a First Class Township in 1967. [more]
Nauman Smith Attorney Craig Staudenmaier successfully argued on behalf of the Harrisburg Patriot-News against a defense motion to block reporters and others from using Twitter to provide real time updates on the upcoming trial of former House Democratic Whip Mike Veon and three former aids. [more]
Nauman Smith Attorneys Craig Staudenmaier and Ben Dunlap will speak to the Pennsylvania Public Relations Society at Gulliftys in Camp Hill, Thursday January 28, on two subjects of great interest to communications professionals. [more]
Harrisburg attorney and right-to-know expert Craig Staudenmaier pointed out that the state's new open-records law exempts records holding Social Security numbers from public inspection. [more]
"Inter-municipal cooperation is essential to the development and management of sewage and wastewater treatment facilities to adequately respond to the public need for clean and safe drinking water and wastewater treatment." Attorney Feinour says. [more]
Nauman Smith employment law attorney and firm partner Benjamin C. Dunlap, Jr., alerted businesses that workplace discrimination claims are increasing in a difficult economic period and offered useful information to avoid discrimination actions by employees. [more]
For older news, visit the archives.
