EDITORIAL: Your records, your site

The Review-Journal has always fought for your right to attend government meetings, witness public business, know what your government is doing and see how it's spending your money.

Now the newspaper is taking its advocacy for open government to a new level by giving readers the tools to access public records themselves.

This month, the Review-Journal launched For the Record, which provides free searchable databases for public information, from homicide maps to government employee salaries to health department restaurant inspections. The databases, which will expand over time, are available at www.reviewjournal.com/fortherecord.

"Communities have historically depended on newspapers to promote transparency in government and to champion access to public records that are crucial to maintaining strong citizen oversight in the democratic process,'' said Review-Journal Publisher and President Jason Taylor. "The Review-Journal is committed to using our digital platforms to help make this information more accessible than ever for our vast online audience."

Try the site. They're your records.