The Public Opinion Soapbox

.45chel · Joined: 26 Oct 2007 Posts: 2842 Location: Chambersburg

Hey P.O. what happened to the coroner story from Monday 10/29?

Ya'll are my primary (okay, only) source for local news, (satellite t.v. etc) so if there was an error or something hinky, I'd like to know.

If it was the ugly on haloscan, well, it's been uglier so what's the deal?
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postaff · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 118 Location: Chambersburg

There weren't any errors to our knowledge. Unfortunately, too many of the comments were irresponsible and/or legally risky, and they continued to escalate throughout the evening. We need our sleep -- can't babysit all night -- so we took it down.

We've removed stories only a few times since we started the comments more than a year ago. So for the most part, people are responsible. As always, a few can ruin things for everyone...

.45chel · Joined: 26 Oct 2007 Posts: 2842 Location: Chambersburg

Thank you for you respone Very Happy

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QueenofHearts · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 366

I am just hoping that a good barrister/lawyer would take on that case, pro bono.

springhill · Joined: 09 Dec 2007 Posts: 177

i am pro bono but anti U-2. Laughing

heck yes censors need their rest too.

Coppy · Joined: 28 Oct 2007 Posts: 2393 Location: Chambersburg

Maggie · Joined: 28 Dec 2007 Posts: 79

Looks like he's back in the news:
Our view: Coroner records issue about good government
Public Opinion Online
-- By Matthew Major, on behalf of Public Opinion's editorial board

"Franklin County Coroner Jeff Conner offered this week what at first blush appears to be a capitulation on the saga of his office's records.

For years, Conner has sequestered coroner's records in his home office, essentially serving as the sole arbiter on who got to see them. He got county officials to designate his home office an "extension" of the county courthouse, giving the merest nod to the letter of state law while sidestepping its spirit entirely.

After a lengthy Public Opinion campaign throughout 2007, Connor this week started to maintain what he called "official records of death" for 2008 in a binder at the county prothonotary's office. Conner also said he plans to move 2007 records to the courthouse by the end of the month.

While we laud Conner for acknowledging that state laws do in fact apply to his office, some questions and issues remain. But first, the text of the law:

"Every coroner, within thirty (30) days after the end of each year, shall deposit all of his official records and papers for the preceding year in the office of the prothonotary for the inspection of all persons interested therein." (1955, Aug. 9, P.L. 323, Sec. 1251)

-- We shall see if the 2007 records promised by the end of this month include all records and papers, or merely what Conner intends to maintain throughout 2008 -- name of deceased, age, address, date of death, place of death, manner and cause of death.

-- Further, Conner this week avoided questions about whether he intends to also file records at the courthouse for 2006 and any preceding years.
-- Conner noted that media "should obtain information regarding all deaths investigated by this office at the Prothonotary's office during regular business hours." Which presumably means no information on deaths until he gets around to dropping off his summaries at the courthouse, some of which listed cause and manner of death this week as "pending."

-- State law does not define "official records and papers," though its meaning seems clear enough. But these definitions should be specified to head off those who would use the ambiguity to their advantage.

Conner has cited privacy concerns for shrouding his office's records. But our interest is not about prurient nosiness.

It's about transparency. It's about ensuring accountability and evaluating job performance. It's about families being able to check the process with a minimum of hassle during difficult times.

It's about potential roadblocks to independent death investigations. It's about determining general trends in local deaths to help officials react to health and welfare issues.

Finally, we hope the new board of county commissioners, as custodians of the county's public records, takes a more forceful role in ensuring their proper treatment. "

.45chel · Joined: 26 Oct 2007 Posts: 2842 Location: Chambersburg

I don't know him personally, but what I do know of him I don't like.

This, IMO, goes beyond incompetence, it hints of things far worse...
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Maggie · Joined: 28 Dec 2007 Posts: 79

Along with getting free use of a car, I guess he deducts his house on his taxes since it's a home office?

.45chel · Joined: 26 Oct 2007 Posts: 2842 Location: Chambersburg

Dude!
I want to be coroner!

I'm stubborn, have no knowledge of the law, poorly organized and have taken a couple of Biology courses and dissected a few fetal pigs in my time...I suppose I could learn to be rude and act shady...

I think I'm overqualified!
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Maggie · Joined: 28 Dec 2007 Posts: 79

Irish1 · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 61 Location: Montgomery Township

Can't resist this one! I think that you also have to wiegh 300+ lbs!

.45chel · Joined: 26 Oct 2007 Posts: 2842 Location: Chambersburg

I'll just park myself at Montezuma for a while and I will soon be able to meet the requirements!
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.45chel · Joined: 26 Oct 2007 Posts: 2842 Location: Chambersburg

Anyone have any details, insights, opinions or rumors about the press conference today?

I'm getting antsy.
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.45chel · Joined: 26 Oct 2007 Posts: 2842 Location: Chambersburg

Someone on Topix posted that it was Conner's son that bought the deceased's property.

I know, I know, I shouldn't believe everything I read on Topix.
Definitely adds another twist to the mix.
Like it needed another twist.
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