Prolific freedom of information filers try to shed some light

By Lauren FitzPatrick and Steve Metsch

Their names are well-known to village clerks. Their freedom of information requests pile up. They consider themselves active members of society, self-appointed watchdogs who want to know how their tax money’s being spent. Some share the data with others, some use it for lawsuits, some simply want to keep a watchful eye on government and understand how their tax dollars are being spent.

Mostly, they just want to know.