We're all thumbs, up and down

OK, we've waited long enough. On this final Saturday in January we serve up 2010's first helping of "thumbs up" and "thumbs down."

THUMBS UP: To the Ralph M. Brown Act, the California Public Records Act and Modesto City Schools trustee Reuben Villalobos. To the first, the law named for the Modesto legislator who authored it, because it requires that the public's business be done in public. To the second because it requires officials and agencies to make public records available and accessible to the public. And to the third, for taking a stand for openness in government -- at a recent meeting when a fellow trustee tried to have an off-the-record discussion with the school board, and then in a eloquent opinions piece in Wednesday's Bee. We liked the way he explained why public officials should embrace rather than fear the Brown Act: "It in no way binds or restricts elected officials in the performance of their duties. In fact, the opposite is true. The act is liberating, if its spirit of openness is followed." In case you missed Villalobos' column, it's online at is.gd/7g8nZ. To view the various state open meeting and access laws, log on to www.cnpa.com, and in the left column click on "public access laws" under the "legislative" heading.

THUMBS UP: To agencies and officials who are trying to engage the public in difficult financial decisions. We take special note of Sylvan Union School District Superintendent John Halverson, whose Web site updates on his district's budget considerations are conversational, understandable and useful.

THUMBS DOWN: To Hughson City Councilman Thom Crowder, who this week described his critics as "contentious little rats." We're generally cautious about recalling elected officials, but the continued shenanigans by Crowder and fellow council members Doug Humphreys and Ben Manley have us rethinking our reluctance. Stay tuned ...

THUMBS UP: To Modesto-based Hi-Tec Sports USA, for donating 1,000 pairs of men's, women's and children's boots and shoes to victims of the earthquake in Haiti. The footwear is being distributed by Soles4Souls Inc., which also is accepting individual donations of "gently used" shoes for the relief effort. A Soles4Souls club at Modesto High donated 50 pair, which were included in Hi-Tec's shipment; for more info: www.soles4souls.org.

THUMBS DOWN: To government officials when they don't consider the public in assembling their agendas. Issues of high public interest should be early in the meeting, housekeeping matters at the end. Earlier this month, the Modesto City Schools board left a dozen or more people twiddling their thumbs, waiting to talk or hear about an important administrative reorganization proposal, while the trustees got out their calendars and decided who would attend which high school and junior high graduation in June.

THUMBS UP: To Mary Grogan, Modesto's long-time parks and recreation director, who died Sunday, leaving a legacy of parks and other facilities that will benefit our community for generations.