Raleigh, N.C. — Gov. Mike Easley announced Tuesday the members of a special panel that will conduct a review of e-mail policies under the North Carolina’s public records law.

The review will include use of state-owned e-mail systems as well as electronic text communications on state-owned or leased wireless devices such as BlackBerry handheld units.

Last week, Easley directed Franklin Freeman, his senior assistant for government affairs, to lead the panel and named Ferrel Guillory, the founder the Program on Public Life, to the panel.

“These are distinguished individuals, from inside and outside of state government, who bring both experience and concern for public affairs and public information to this important task,” Easley said. “I know their input will provide guidance so that we make sure the public’s records are properly maintained.”

Others named to the panel include:

Ned Cline, former managing editor of the Greensboro News & Record.

DeWitt F. (Mac) McCarley, Charlotte City Attorney, city attorney for Charlotte since 1994.

Staci Meyer, chief deputy secretary N.C. Department of Cultural Resources.

George Bakolia, state chief information officer.

Bryan Beatty, secretary of Crime Control and Public Safety.

Also serving as adviser to the panel is David Lawrence, William R. Kenan, Jr. Professor of Public Law and Government at the UNC School of Government.

Grayson Kelley, Chief Deputy N.C. Attorney General will serve as counsel to the committee and Liz Riley, deputy legal counsel to the governor, will staff the committee.

The panel’s first meeting will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, March 27 in the Council of State meeting room on the 5th floor of the Administration Building, 16 W. Jones St., Raleigh.

The panel will make a preliminary report to the governor by May 20.