From the Charlotte Observer (3/21/12): The city of Charlotte has released dozens of pages of emails related to the Democratic National Convention in response to an Observer public records request – but most were heavily redacted, giving little or no insight into how the city is preparing for the convention.
The city said the messages were blacked out to prevent the release of sensitive security information, as required by North Carolina’s public records law.
But Mecklenburg Chief District Judge Lisa Bell, who exchanged emails with Charlotte-Mecklenburg police Chief Rodney Monroe, said she doesn’t understand why a portion of her email about how the convention would affect the state courthouse had to be redacted.
Charlotte has been cautious about releasing information related to the convention, though the September event will likely transform much of uptown by restricting traffic and access to businesses and other venues.
In an Aug. 25, 2011 email to the police chief and Mecklenburg sheriff, Bell noted that she continues to get questions about what courts will be running during the convention.
The judge’s comment was redacted.