Miramar Beach woman wins national acclaim for blowing whistle on Walton commissioners
Miramar Beach resident Suzanne Harris’ stand against the Walton County commission forced it to dramatically change the way it handles public records.
She received national recognition for her efforts Monday when the American Society of News Editors named her the first place winner of its Sunshine Week Local Hero award.
“I think it’s the biggest award I’ve ever had in my whole life,” Harris said.
The award is bestowed upon “individuals who fought tirelessly last year to make their state or local public institutions more open and accessible,” a news release announcing Harris’ accomplishment said.
Harris, president of the Edgewater Beach Owners Association in Miramar Beach, sued the Walton County Commission when her request for e-mail communications between county officials was ignored.
In December, 2008, on the day the public records lawsuit was set for trial, Walton County Commissioners reluctantly agreed to settle.
Under terms of the settlement the board agreed to reimburse Harris and place itself under court scrutiny. Any future county violations of public records law could be met with contempt charges.
This is the first year the ASNE has handed out its local hero awards. It named first, second and third place winners. Harris was the overall winner.
Sunshine Week itself has been around since 2005. ASNE launched the event to “promote dialogue about the importance of open government and freedom of information,” its news release said.
