Hi folks - FYI that the SoCal URISA site will be off-line for a bit at the end of next week.
The site will go off-line sometime around 6 PM on April 4th (Friday) and should be back up early evening (hopefully earlier) on Saturday April 5th.
We are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause.
Check out the flier here for more info.
Then email Melisa with your ideas for a new Newsletter name.
And always feel free to contact Blanca with suggestions for Newsletter articles - or if you might want to submit an article!
Just posted five new job openings to the Jobs page. All within California.
GeographyJobs.com is a new resource out there on the 'net for anyone looking for a new career. We have added a link to it on the top of the SoCal URISA Jobs page, and will be using it as a resource for locating openings to post on the SoCal URISA site.
If you are looking for your first career, or just a change in positions - good luck with your search!
The next Regional ESRI meeting is happening on April 8th at the usual location - the Doubletree Hotel in Hazard Center.
ESRI asks that folks pre-register, which you can do here.
On the agenda is:
Hope to see you there!
Court Confirms Public Records Law
Although the California Public Records Act (CPRA) requires state and local government records to be provided to anyone requesting them for no more than the cost of duplication, until recently, 21 of California's 58 counties sold their GIS digital parcel basemap data for significantly higher prices. In October 2005, the California Attorney General issued an official opinion stating that digital parcel data is subject to public inspection and copying under provisions of the CPRA (http://ag.ca.gov/opinions/yearly_index.php?year=2005, Look for 04-1105).Subsequently, eight counties changed their data distribution policy, and now offer their GIS basemap data for free or nominal cost. However, 13 counties still maintain a high-cost data distribution policy, contending that GIS basemap data is exempt from the CPRA. They assert that the A.G.'s opinion does not have the force of law - only a Judicial judgment can confirm or deny their policy. Now, as of May 18, 2007, such a judgment has been rendered.
The California First Amendment Coalition (CFAC) took Santa Clara County to court after the county denied CFAC's request for the county's GIS basemap data at the cost of duplication and with no other restrictions on how it might be used or redistributed. Judge James P. Kleinberg of the California Superior Court for Santa Clara County reviewed the many arguments and rebuttals of the case over three months, and issued the Court's decision in favor of CFAC. Judge Kleinberg directed Santa Clara County to:
1. Provide CFAC with an electronic copy of the GIS basemap, and
2. Charge CFAC the direct cost for the copy provided.The decision affirms the legislative intent stated in the CPRA (Government Code §6250) that "access to information concerning the conduct of the people's business is a fundamental and necessary right of every person in this state."
Read more: Court Confirms Public Records Law
Legislative Alert
Dear BAAMA member and GIS community,
You may be aware that our state legislature is considering a bill to amend the California Public Records Act. The bill (AB 1978) was introduced on February 14, 2008 by State Assembly Member Jose Solorio, and may have implications on public access to geospatial information in the future.We believe this topic is of primary interest to all GIS practitioners. We invite you to review Assembly Member Solorio's proposed bill and discuss its implications within your organization.
You can find the text of AB 1978 at
http://www.directionsmag.com/article.php?article_id=2702
A critique of AB 1978 may be found at:
http://www.directionsmag.com/article.php?article_id=2701Based upon your review of AB 1978, you may wish to share your opinion of the bill with your local Assembly Member or state Senator. The bill is scheduled for committee review 30 days after introduction, which would be March 15.
Sincerely,
The BAAMA Board
Just posted three new positions on the Jobs page.
An Internship, a web developer and a GIS Analyst position.
Hi all - just a quick note to let you know that I have just posted 12 new job announcements on the Jobs page.
Just hit the Jobs link on the left, or this one right here!
