[nfbmi-talk] Fw: FOIA Response to Request for Office & Staff Directory

Thu Apr 3 22:46:24 UTC 2014

Ok is it me or is it just plain nuts and a violation of all that is holy let alone the ADA and 504 to turn a request for an accurate directory of a VR agency into a ludicrous FOIA request?

Isn't it time to sue these arrogent, bigots for their blatent acts of discrimination. Oh this is government transparency and responsive customer service isn't it?
----- Original Message ----- 
From: Haynes, Carla (LARA) 
To: joe harcz Comcast 
Cc: Rodgers, Edward (LARA) ; Luzenski, Sue (LARA) ; Pemble, Mike (LARA) ; Belknap, Katie (LARA) 
Sent: Thursday, April 03, 2014 4:56 PM
Subject: FOIA Response to Request for Office & Staff Directory

April 3, 2013

Mr. Paul Joseph Harcz, Jr.

E-mail: joeharcz at comcast.net

1365 E. Mt. Morris Rd.

Mt. Morris, MI 48458

Re:  FOIA Response to Request for Information on Office & Staff Directory

Dear Mr. Harcz, Jr.:

This email is in response to your March 27, 2014, email request for information, received by this office on March 28, 2014.  Please be advised that the Bureau of Services for Blind Persons (BSBP) is processing this request under the state's Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), MCL 15.231 et seq.

You have requested information that you describe as per your email (which is attached).

"I am writing you today to receive an accurate and up-to-date office and staff directory."

The current directory dated 1-8-14 is on our website at (www.michigan.gov/bsbp, then Resources).  This directory is generally updated on a quarterly basis, and is in the process of being updated.  For this reason, it is necessary to extend the time for response, as permitted by Section 5(2)(d) of the FOIA, through April 16, 2014, for your request.

If it is determined that there is a cost involved in the processing of this request, you will be sent an email which will include an invoice outlining

FOIA Response - P.J. Harcz, Jr.

April 3, 2013

Page 2 of 2

that cost (before or no later than April 16, 2014).  This email may either request a deposit (if the cost is over $50.00) or request payment of the total cost if the amount is under $50.00.

Please note that nothing within the federal American with Disabilities Act (ADA ), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (RA), as amended, or the state's FOIA (MCL 15.231 et seq.) requires a public body to process FOIA requests free of charge.  Further, while the ADA and Section 504 of the RA may mandate that, upon request, material be produced in an accessible format without charge, neither the ADA or Section 504 of the RA preclude a public body from charging costs under the state's FOIA. Thusly, please note that no labor fee charges have been, or will be, assessed to convert existing, nonexempt public records responsive to your requests into an accessible format to forward to you.

Sincerely,

Carla Miller Haynes, FOIA Coordinator

Bureau of Services for Blind Persons

Attachment:  Email Request for Information

cc:     Edward F. Rodgers II

          Sue Luzenski

          Mike Pemble

Katie Belknap

From: joe harcz Comcast [mailto:joeharcz at comcast.net]  

Sent: Thursday, March 27, 2014 9:07 AM 

To: Rodgers, Edward (LARA) 

Cc: Luzenski, Sue (LARA); Christyne.Cavataio at ed.gov; BRIAN SABOURIN; Marlene Malloy MCRS Dir. 

Subject: updated and accurate directory please

March 27, 2014

To Rodgers Updated Staff Directory

Paul Joseph Harcz, Jr.

1365 E. Mt. Morris Rd.

Mt. Morris, MI 48458

810-516-5262

joeharcz at comcast.net

Re: BSBP Staff Directory

To:

Edward F. Rodgers II, Director

Mich. Bureau of Services to Blind Persons

(via e-mail)

Dear Mr. Rodgers,

I am writing you today to receive an accurate and up-to-date office and staff directory. Note the one on BSBP's web site at:

http://www.michigan.gov/lara/0,4601,7-154-61256_28313_33130-15006--,00.html

Is outdated as there have been major staff additions and changes. This is important for this is where potential customors and advocates for people who are blind find out how to access services and just who to call or write for them.

So please send me an accurate one in known accessible format and please post an accurate and updated directory to the web site forthwith.

Sincerely,

Paul Joseph Harcz, Jr.

Cc: RSA

Cc: CAP

Cc: MCRS

Carla Miller Haynes

LARA Bureau of Services for Blind Persons (BSBP)

201 N. Washington Square, 2nd Floor

P.O. Box 30652

Lansing, MI  48909

Telephone:  517-373-2063 or Toll-Free 1-800-292-4200

Fax:  517-335-5140

www.michigan.gov/bsbp

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