In the photo above, you’ll see me standing at the podium during a Parker, Florida city council meeting—sharing facts I uncovered through a couple of public records requests. It was a moment that still makes my heart race. Getting up in public isn’t easy. I quiver every time. But I knew I had to speak out. I had to hold the city officials and city staff accountable. And I had to use sunshine laws to get the facts.
That moment wasn’t just about one meeting—it was the beginning of something bigger. My questions and the city’s pushback on my public records requests turned into a deeper investigation. My records requests revealed troubling patterns in city administration. And my political activism snowballed: I helped a Parker resident run against the mayor in early 2023. She didn’t win, but by August, I along, with other concerned residents, had launched a non-partisan nonprofit, that reported on city council and planning meetings and shared updates on Facebook. We were using sunshine laws to get the facts and building something citizen-powered and helpful—especially since the area had become a news desert.
The Sunshine Law Citizen website was born from a simple but powerful belief: that every person has the right to speak freely, participate in public life, and hold government accountable—without fear or punishment. What began as a personal journey quickly revealed a shared truth: I wasn’t alone, and no one else should feel alone either.
Sunshine laws gave us the tools to uncover facts, ask hard questions, and share what we learned with our neighbors—sometimes in city hall, sometimes in the comments section, and on Facebook. Instead of being scorned, I wanted a place and a space to celebrate that spirit: everyday people using public records to make public officials and government more transparent.
This site is a launchpad for citizens who care about transparency, want to get the facts from their city officials, and want to hold their local governments accountable. I’ll share real case studies from my “accidental” laboratory of Parker, Florida—the wins and the losses—and invite fellow Americans to share their own stories. Together, we’ll build a nationwide hub of tips, tools, templates, —all to support anyone trying to navigate their City Hall with courage and clarity.
We’ll also invite legal experts, journalists, and seasoned advocates to share their insights and tips on how to use sunshine laws effectively. And we’ll create space for other Sunshine Law Citizens to weigh in—offering advice, encouragement, and problem-solving support for anyone struggling to access public records or understand their rights.
Whether you’re filing your first public records request or challenging a closed-door decision, Sunshine Law Citizen is here to help you become better informed, inspired to speak up, and equipped with the facts to make an impact.
If you believe in the power of transparency, community, and citizen-led change—you’re in the right place.
Let’s shine a light. Let’s raise our Civic IQ. Let’s give more citizens the courage to stand up, speak out, and demand accountability—just like I did, a Sunshine Law Citizen.
