Where’s Our Data-Driven Government?

Here’s a good one: Greenwich, Conn. First Selectman Jim Lash is facing fines from the state’s Freedom of Information Commission for allegedly withholding town GIS data (via All Points Blog).

Lash originally argued that disclosing the data would be a security risk, but the Commission disagreed with him and ordered him to turn over the data. Now he’s dragging his feet. 

This guy is like a librarian who thinks his job is to protect the books. Of course you need to deal with security and privacy issues, but the attitude is completely wrong. Local public officials should be in the business of providing their community with as much data as possible.

Actually, I think open, well-structured data is one of the most important things a town leader can do for his or her community.

As community dialogues move online to places like Coastsider, Baristanet and H2otown, it’s becoming easier to incorporate data into the discussion. This elevates the discussion and makes action easier. We know that because it’s exactly what’s happening at today’s most open, data-driven companies. So, how about data-driven government?