How disappointing that Stonington First Selectman Rob Simmons has opted to adhere to the Ed Haberek school of governance. Many residents might just as soon forget the controversial Haberek, the first selectman elected prior to Simmons.

One hallmark of the Haberek years was denying requests for public documents if the first selectman determined their release did not serve his purposes. Saying no, even when a document is clearly public, can buy a politician time. While The Day consistently won its appeals to the Freedom of Information Commission in the Haberek years, the newspaper and public had to wait eight months or so per appeal for the FOI Commission to reach decisions and issue orders.

In seeking election in 2015 Simmons, a former congressman, promised transparency when it came to FOI requests.

“The money we’ve spent defending FOI cases is not good,” Simmons told us back then.

In providing Simmons our endorsement, we characterized him as an “advocate for open government.”

It appears we were wrong.

On Tuesday, the first selectman denied Day Staff Writer Joe Wojtas’ request for a copy of a consultant’s report, received by the town in January, which provides an analysis of the operation of town departments and recommendations for improvements. It cost taxpayers $15,000.

In denying the request, Simmons contended the report is a draft document and that “the public interest in withholding the draft … outweighs the public interest in disclosure.”

Simmons also wrote, “There are certain topics in the draft that may not become part of the final report, which could become problematic if the draft version is released now.”

Problematic for who? The first selectman, perhaps? Stonington citizens have a right to learn what the consultant came up with, even if those recommendations change in an amended report or if the selectmen choose not to adopt them.

So here we go again. The Day is appealing to the FOI Commission. Unless Simmons reverses his denial, the process will drag on for months. It sounds all too familiar for Stonington.

Adding irony, this Sunday marks the start of Sunshine Week. The intent of the annual nationwide observance, which runs through March 18, is to focus attention on the importance of maintaining access to public information. It provides a good opportunity for Simmons to return to his campaign promises and let the sun shine on the consultant’s report that the people who elected him paid for.