Globe Hearing

A four state newspaper is still fighting the city for documents they say should be part of open records Judge David Dally took today`s arguements into advisement and says he hopes to have a decision in no later than ten days. That means the city of Joplin does not have to release the documents in question to the Joplin Globe at least not yet. The documents in question surround former police chief Ed Dennis`s decision to resign last March. And the city`s decision to extend Dennis` pay and benefits for ten weeks after his last day of work. A reporter with the Joplin Globe asked city officials to release a copy of the severance agreement. And the city refused to do so. The two party`s attornies argued today whether the documents are a part of open records. Charles Buchanan, attorney for the Globe, says the sunshine law dictates that there is nothing in the documents that would be cause for them to not be released. Meanwhile, Karl Blanchard, who is representing the city, says certain material within the documents may be cause for future litigation. Which under the sunshine law means the documents do not need to be disclosed. There was also discussion about who would be held responisble for the globe`s attorney fees. The city of Joplin may have to pay the fees if the judge finds the city purposely withheld the documents. Those fees would then come out of the city taxpayer`s pockets. Reported By:Jennifer Grannan