tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21829866.post8003356729803512877..comments2023-08-20T07:06:14.115-04:00Comments on Thurber's Thoughts: FOIA Friday - July 11, 2008Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12677808307727487766noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21829866.post-36530343405157428772008-07-13T08:13:00.000-04:002008-07-13T08:13:00.000-04:00GraphicsGuy - getting information from the people ...GraphicsGuy - getting information from the people who work for you shouldn't be this difficult!<BR/><BR/>Many are grateful that you're going down this path and ensuring the city follows the law...Maggiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12677808307727487766noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21829866.post-24463434942336077242008-07-12T13:59:00.000-04:002008-07-12T13:59:00.000-04:00I did meet with Attorneys Scott Ciolek & Kurt Wick...I did meet with Attorneys Scott Ciolek & Kurt Wicklund on Friday concerning the City of Toledo's failure to satisfy an FOIA Request I filed on 6 June, 2008. This most recent request was to examine documents pertaining to the ‘<I>administrative process</I>’ referred to in the Toledo Municipal Code, §313.12(d)(4), ‘<I>Civil penalties for automated red light system violations</I>. <BR/><BR/>Since your ‘<I>Eye On Toledo</I>’ shows back in January or February on Toledo’s Photo Enforcement Program, I have been doing some research into the Photo Enforcement Program, and have filed 1other FOIA request concerning the Red Light/Speed Camera issue. That request – “<I>for any and all documents pertaining to the maintenance, certification and testing of all installed red light cameras installed within the City of Toledo</I>” was answered with documents showing the dates that the speed cameras had been certified. Interesting information, (considering most cameras go months between certification) but NOT what I had been seeking!<BR/><BR/>When I met with the City’s PIO, Elizabeth Phillips on 06 June to deliver the FOIA request concerning the ‘<I>administrative process</I>’, I asked her to again look into my first request, which she said she would.<BR/><BR/>On 03 July – almost a month after not hearing from the City concerning my requests, I sent an email to Ms. Phillips reminding her of my FOIA request and that it had not been answered. She immediately replied to tell me she would “<I>address the issue. </I>”<BR/><BR/>On 08 July, I received an email from the Toledo Police Department. Attached was a file containing the ‘Agreement’ between the City of Toledo and James Jones, the Hearing Officer for Toledo’s Photo Enforcement Program. Again, NOT what I had requested! And, of course, nothing concerning my first request – the documents concerning the red light cameras.<BR/><BR/>In an email, I outlined the troubles I was having with my FOIA requests and sent it off to the law firm of Ciolek & Wicklund, who is also handling <I>Midwest Retailers Association v City of Toledo</I> and <I>Shanahan v. City of Toledo</I> cases. Within hours I received a phone call and an invitation to come in and discuss the issue. <BR/><BR/>In a nutshell, it was thought that filing a Mandamus action right now could be met with some concern from the court, and a better avenue to take would be to advise Ms. Phillips that the documents provided were not the ones that were being sought and that I should re-explain in more detail the documents I am seeking, so there is no question as to what is needed. Basically giving the city more rope in which to hang themselves if this request is not answered with the documents I am seeking.<BR/><BR/>I have composed that letter to be sent to Ms. Phillips, but will wait until Ciolek & Wicklund read it and give it their ‘stamp of approval’.<BR/><BR/>Naturally, I will keep you up-to-date on this matter.GraphicsGuyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09382561922046230269noreply@blogger.com