Open Government
Implicit in the democratic process is the notion that government should
be accountable for its actions. In order to verify accountability, individuals
must have access to government files. Such access permits checks against
the arbitrary exercise of official power and secrecy in the political
process.
— California Supreme Court
As a longtime advocate for openness in government and as Oakland’s
first elected City Attorney, John Russo created the Open Government Program
in the Office of the City Attorney. The program is designed to ensure
that the citizens of Oakland have full access to information about their
city and that the business of city government is conducted in the light
of day.
To carry out this vision, John brought two dedicated professionals on
board to bring the program to life: Mark Morodomi, Supervising Deputy
for the City Attorney's Open Government Program; and Michelle Abney, Oakland’s
Open Government Coordinator.
Mark worked for 10 years in Sacramento for the State of California's
Fair Political Practices Commission, where he served as chief prosecutor
investigating and prosecuting cases of political corruption.
 Michelle
Abney is a familiar face in City Hall having worked in various capacities
over the last 27 years, including six years in the Office of the City
Clerk as the Deputy City Clerk overseeing the administration of municipal
elections. As Oakland's Open Government Coordinator, Michelle is responsible
for monitoring and ensuring the City's compliance with our numerous "open
government" policies and laws in Oakland. These laws promote transparency
in government and ensure that all decisions are made in the light of day.
Her duties include the training of city staff on how to respond to public
records requests and how to properly prepare and notice the meeting agendas
of the city numerous boards and commissions.
There are three pieces of legislation that support the intent of the
Open Government Program:
In addition, the Office of the City Attorney has developed an Open
Government Bill of Rights that details the rights of Oakland citizens
in obtaining access to city government.
Need help navigating and accessing information from City government?
Please contact:
Michelle Abney, Open Government Coordinator
Office of the City Attorney
One Frank Ogawa Plaza, 6th Floor
Oakland, CA 94612
email: mabney@oaklandcityttorney.org
tel: 510-238-2965
fax: 510-238-6500
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