What I had requested was to view certain files containing annexation related records. Mr. Drathman decided he needed to review these files before I could see them, allegedly to remove "privileged" documents. The disputed fee is to cover his time spent on this review, at nearly $49 an hour.

The total of $354 may seem too small to go to court over, but it is an exorbitant amount to have to pay simply to gain access to a few files. I believe these fees are unjustified and are an attempt to discourage the public from demanding access to public records.

The end-of-the-year article also failed to mention that the annexation was appealed by two groups, Citizens Concerned About Annexation and Alaskans Opposed to Annexation. The appeals were consolidated and are being briefed at this time.

The annexation fight is not over, it has just moved to another level. The failure to veto the annexation was another factor in Scalzi's defeat. There were many of us who felt that if he wouldn't support us, then we wouldn't support him.

Abigail Fuller