Staff reports

Albany City Commissioner Roger Marietta has something to hide; he’s even breaking the law to do it.

Marietta, the Ward 4 representative, is refusing The Albany Journal’s request to produce all city e-mails that he sent and received between Aug. 16-22.

Journal Publisher Kevin Hogencamp made six requests of the e-mails between Aug. 23 and 29. Marietta responded once with an e-mail, saying only, “I forgive Tommy. I think it is the Christian thing to do.”

Hogencamp’s original request to Marietta stated: “I’m doing a little digging. Pursuant to the Georgia Open Records Act, please forward all city of Albany e-mails sent by you and received by you between Aug. 16-22. Please forward these today. It only takes a minute; let me know if you need technical help making this happen.”

In his response, Marietta was referring to Albany City Commissioner Tommie Postell’s recent remark that “all white folks look alike, anyway,” which he made after botching Associate Municipal Court Judge candidate Phil Cannon’s name during a commission meeting. Marietta did not address Hogencamp’s request in the response.

According to Georgia law, any person who knowingly and willfully fails to respond to an Open Records Act request may be found guilty of a misdemeanor criminal act and fined up to $100 per violation. Public officials are required by law to respond to records requests within three days.

Marietta is seeking a second term as commission in the Nov. 8 election. He is opposed thus far by Albany law firm employee Jason McCoy. The candidate qualifying period ends at noon Friday.

Marietta and his City Commission colleagues are paid $15,000 a year for the part-time position. They also receive a $7,500 expense account, access to a city vehicle, and health, dental and life insurance benefits.