A Burley man whose efforts revealed secret meetings of county officials has been named the recipient of the 2016 Max Dalton Open Government Award sponsored by the Idaho Newspaper Foundation.  Casey Andersen will receive the award, which carries a $1,000 prize along with an original art plate, during an April 23 luncheon in Boise.

Cassia County commissioners had been meeting in secret, holding “working lunches” outside the public’s view and violating state laws that require noticed meetings. Andersen took advantage of public records laws to trigger an investigation into the board. In the end, the board admitted breaking state laws, “cured” several violations and pledged to stop meeting in secret, the foundation reports.

 Andersen’s efforts drew the attention of the Twin Falls Times-News, which began deeper reporting into Cassia County government. The newspaper was able to prove that a high-profile city-county committee had violated state open meetings laws, as well. The newspaper’s reporting, inspired by Andersen’s efforts, triggered an attorney general’s office investigation that is still under way.

The Max Dalton Open Government Award has been given each year since 1999 to a citizen or group judged to be an outspoken advocate of openness in either public records or public meetings on the state or local level. There’s more info here on the award and past recipients.