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Records Dept. Keeps Word: Delivers Records at Reasonable Price
By Ed Goppelt
Friday, 05/02/03
(1051911498819)
I promised City Council I would post the Land Ownership Records within 24 hours after I got them. At 9:30 pm last night I was able to download the first batch of records, which includes transactions through the end of March. By noon today, Hallwatch users were using the up-to-date records.
I sent the following letter to members of City Council thanking them for their help in getting the land ownership records. I'd also like to thank the many people who wrote City Council in support of Hallwatch's request: it wouldn't have happened without you. If you'd like to thank Council for helping the City live up to its obligation to provide easy access to public records, you can do so here.
Dear Councilmember:
I am pleased to report Philadelphians can now access up-to-date deed and other land ownership records on Hallwatch. As of twelve noon today, the public can access these records at any time from home, work or the library-wherever there is a web browser. They no longer have to go to City Hall during the limited hours the Dept. of Records is open.
In my opinion, the public would still be denied this easy access to these records were it not for Councilmembers Rizzo and Cohen. It was only after they intervened that the Records Dept. and I met and were able to agree on a reasonable price. Councilmembers Ortiz, Nutter and Tasco helped too by publicly stating their belief that all Philadelphians, and not just a handful of private companies, should have easy access to public records.
I first asked the Dept. of Records to supply me with the Recorders Index Extract on October 20, 2002. Last night-almost seven months after my initial request-I downloaded the first batch of records. I'd like to thank those of you in City Council who helped the City live up to its obligation to provide citizens with public records at reasonable cost.
Sincerely,
Edmund Goppelt