Awards And Certifications From March 14
Ann Arbor wins national transparency award for Web site: Sunshine Review, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to government transparency, has released the winners of the fourth annual Sunny Awards — and among the winners is the City of Ann Arbor's Web site, www.a2gov.org. The award, which honors the most transparent government Web sites in the nation, went to 250 government entities, with Florida receiving the most Sunny Awards. For the 2013 awards, editors at Sunshine Review analyzed more than 1,000 qualifying government Websites and graded each on a 10-point transparency checklist. Editors looked at content available on government websites against what should be provided. They sought information on items such as budgets, meetings, lobbying, financial audits, contracts, academic performance, public records and taxes. The winners of the Sunny Award all received an "A" grade during the extensive grading process. The Sunny Awards announcement falls during annual "Sunshine Week," March 10-16, a period nationally recognized by hundreds of media and civic organizations, that celebrates the efforts of activists and the strides taken towards open government. Sunshine Review is a nonprofit organization dedicated to state and local government transparency. Sunshine Review collaborates with individuals and organizations throughout America in the cause of an informed citizenry and a transparent government. Since its inception in 2008, Sunshine Review has analyzed the websites of all 50 states and more than 7,000 state and local entities. For information on Sunshine Review please e-mail Meghan Tisinger at Meghan@TKOCommunicationsLLC.com or call (703) 965-1145.
