Public records effort wins statewide recognition

The York Daily Record/Sunday News' public records reporting efforts -- including our Full Disclosure web site and this blog -- won the 2009 Public Service Award from the Pennsylvania Newspaper Association, which was announced today.

On its Web site, PNA says, "Continuing the tradition of the news media as the "fourth estate," the Public Service Award is presented to the newspaper that has helped improve the community through public service leadership."

The contest judge, a retired longtime publisher of the Harrisburg Patriot-News, wrote of his decision to honor the YDR's public records efforts:

 "More than anything else there was a single factor or approach that drove the decision. That, simply, was the localization of the issue, telling the needs of York County citizens for open records.
 
 "I believe all PNA newspapers have devoted a lot of time to the issue but the York Daily Record really brought it home -- right to the kitchen table level."

 You can click on the Full Disclosure link above to see the range of information on the site, including stories, original documents and links that can help you do your own research.

 The judge also recognized YDR reporter Melissa Nann Burke for her investigative series on Angel Food Ministries, a food nonprofit that paid its founding family more than $2 million in 2006. The judge gave the PNA's G. Richard Dew Award, the state's most prestigious journalism award, to another YDR entry, then went on to say:

"But I must say something about the incredible reporting job accomplished by Melissa Nann Burke." Her effort, the judge wrote, "was in the best traditions of our business. ... The digging she did to unearth the facts was nothing short of admirable."