Municipal candidates in Cherokee, Minco, Vinita pledge to comply with spirit, letter of Oklahoma's open government laws

Candidates for local offices in Cherokee, Minco and Vinita have signed FOI Oklahoma's Open Government Pledge.

They promised to "comply with not only the letter but also the spirit of Oklahoma's Open Meeting and Open Records laws" if elected.

Two are incumbents seeking re-election: Jimmy Rice, who holds the Minco City Council Ward 3, Position 1, seat; and Diana Williamson, who represents Ward 1 on the Cherokee City Commission.

The other candidates are Carol Austin, who is seeking the Ward 2 slot on the Vinita City Council, and Ricky Anthony, who is running for the Minco City Council Ward 1, Position 1, seat.

By signing FOI Oklahoma's Open Government Pledge, the candidates also promised "to support at every opportunity the public policy of the State of Oklahoma that the people are vested with the inherent right to know and be fully informed about their government so that they can efficiently and intelligently exercise their inherent political power."

Municipal elections are April 5.

FOI Oklahoma began the Open Government Pledge in 2008 as part of a national effort to spur public commitments to government transparency from candidates for president down to city council contests.

Instructions and a list of signers for the 2011 and previous elections can be found on FOI Oklahoma’s website.


Joey Senat, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
OSU School of Media & Strategic Communications