Thank you Miami Herald for Data Sleuth. By Geniusofdespair

I looked up records on the Miami Herald’s new database called Data Sleuth. I don’t care about the crime entry but I did like the other two: Recent Real Estate Sales and Contibutions in the Presidential Election. I liked this service so much I added the link to my Bookmark Bar (a coveted position).

Here is what I found for Lobbyist Chris Korge and Ron Book. Ron, you gave to Huckabee?
Executive Editor of the Miami Herald, Anders Gyllenhaal, while announcing this new service, pointed out a troubling trend developing that I previously reported on October 21, 2007:

“When Jackson Health System signed a questionable contract last year, Miami Herald reporters asked for copies of any hospital e-mails on the deal in a routine records request. The response that came back was anything but ordinary. The hospital said it would be glad to provide the records -- for $165,721.60. The ensuing standoff was never resolved, and the public records remained secret. That was one of the more inventive ways of sidestepping the state's public information rules.”

I am hoping the Miami Herald will put some money into RESOLVING THE STANDOFF. Anders: You should not have given up. A lawsuit to stop this trend of making public records outrageously expense - out of reach for even the daily paper – has to stop. I said it in October, 2007 and I am saying it again today.

P.S. Glitch in the database: What is that $2,300 dated 5/10/07 under Korge? And, looking up a Broward address, I got comps over 18 miles away in Miami Dade and I couldnt figure out were to find the map I could "Swoop down on."