Dear Councilmember:

I'd like to ask for your help in persuading Records Commissioner Joan Decker to provide the public with access to land title information at reasonable cost. Currently, Philadelphians who wish to examine these records must make the time consuming, inconvenient and expensive trip to City Hall.

I'd like to make this information available to the public on my web site, Hallwatch, but I can't afford the $400 monthly fee Decker has set. In my opinion, the Records Dept. has not been truthful about either its costs or capabilities (see Records Form Conceals Department's True Abilities and Evidence Suggests Records Department Exaggerating Costs.) For example, I estimate it would cost the Department less than $2 per month (see Estimated Cost to Records Dept. attached) to provide these records on CD.

The fact that the Department is giving special breaks to private companies makes me wonder if the Department's commitment to fairness and public service is as strong as it should be. For example, since May 2000, employees of title companies, banks and law firms have been able to access the Department's Philadox system from the comfort of their offices for free. (See p. 191 of the City of Philadelphia Five Year Plan dated 1/29/02).

Although three years would seem like plenty of time to determine whether its service works or not, the Department continues to deny the public remote access to Philadox on the grounds that its feasibility can only be established through further, and apparently indefinite, study. (See my application of February 13, 2003 and Decker's denial of February 18, 2003.)

Commissioner Decker is scheduled to testify before you this Wednesday, April 2, 2003 at 9:30 am. In my opinion, the Records Department needs your attention and gentle guidance so that Philadelphians can enjoy the same convenient access to public records currently enjoyed by a handful of private companies.

Sincerely,