Jet Town Board member promises to comply with state's open government laws

Jim Blackledge signed FOI Oklahoma's Open Government Pledge last week after having been re-elected to the Jet Town Board.

Blackledge was the only incumbent on the Town Board retained by voters on April 5. Also elected to the board was challenger Carolyn Crossette, who had signed the pledge just days before the election.

Jet Clerk-Treasurer Donna Keller also had signed the pledge and was re-elected.

By signing the pledge, each promised to "comply with not only the letter but also the spirit of Oklahoma's Open Meeting and Open Records laws."

Each 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."

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.

This year, 16 pledge signers have been elected to municipal offices, with 14 winning on April 5.


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