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<DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Thank you for your response and for the supplied
documents.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>I was mistaken about the subcommittee in question
and these minutes are what I was seeking, however, there was an additional
meeting of the Promotions and Seniority subcommittee which took place on the
evening of June 23rd, and I'd like these as well.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>I must say that it is my position that, strictly
speaking, I did not submit a FOIA request; and I can only speculate that BEP
administrative staff made this change for reasons unknown to me. The
minutes of public meetings pertaining to the BEP have until recently
been available at the request of any licensed or potential
operator, with no need to invoke the Freedom of Information Act. As it
happens, I have a vital concern about actions taken and not taken by the BEP
that specifically affect me, to which these minutes apply directly.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2> </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Joe Sontag</FONT></DIV></DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE dir=ltr
style="PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px">
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial">----- Original Message ----- </DIV>
<DIV
style="BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; FONT: 10pt arial; font-color: black"><B>From:</B>
<A title=haynesc@michigan.gov href="mailto:haynesc@michigan.gov">Haynes, Carla
(LARA)</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>To:</B> <A title=suncat0@gmail.com
href="mailto:suncat0@gmail.com">Joe Sontag</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Cc:</B> <A title=cannonp@michigan.gov
href="mailto:cannonp@michigan.gov">Cannon, Patrick (LARA)</A> ; <A
title=turneys@michigan.gov href="mailto:turneys@michigan.gov">Turney, Susan
(LARA)</A> ; <A title=farmerm@michigan.gov
href="mailto:farmerm@michigan.gov">Farmer, Mel (LARA)</A> ; <A
title=zangerc@michigan.gov href="mailto:zangerc@michigan.gov">Zanger, Connie
(LARA)</A> ; <A title=hullj@michigan.gov
href="mailto:hullj@michigan.gov">Hull, James (LARA)</A> ; <A
title=LuzenskiS@michigan.gov href="mailto:LuzenskiS@michigan.gov">Luzenski,
Sue (LARA)</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Sent:</B> Wednesday, September 21, 2011
15:32</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> Response to Request for
Information of 9-15-11 - FOIA</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV class=Section1>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=4><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt">September 21, 2011<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=4><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=4><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt">Mr.
Joe Sontag<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><U><FONT face=Arial color=blue size=4><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; COLOR: blue"><A
href="mailto:suncat0@gmail.com">suncat0@gmail.com</A></SPAN></FONT></U><o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=4><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=4><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=4><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt">Dear
Mr. Sontag:<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=4><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=4><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt">This
response in to your request for information emailed on September 14, 2011, and
received by the Michigan Commission for the Blind (MCB) office on September
15, 2011. Please be informed that the Department is processing your
request under the state’s Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), MCL 15.231 et
seq.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=4><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=4><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt">In
your email, you requested information described as
follows:<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=4><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=4><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt">“Are
there minutes in any form for the Locations and Repair sub, held June 7, 13 or
14, and 16 of this year and for the EOC meeting of June 18 that you can e-mail
me?”<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=4><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=4><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt">Please be informed that, pursuant to MCL 15.235,
Section 5(2)(c) of the FOIA, your request is partially denied and partially
granted.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=4><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=4><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt">As
regards the denied portions of your request, pursuant to MCL 15.235, Section
5(4)(b) of the FOIA, this notice serves as certification that, after a search,
the public records requested do not exist in the Department under the
name/description you provided. Therefore, this portion of the request is
denied.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=4><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=4><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt">As
regards the granted portions of your request, after a search for records, to
the best of the Department’s knowledge, information, and belief as regards the
dates you listed, the secretary for the Elected Operators Committee (EOC)
indicates that the minutes are for the Promotions and Seniority Subcommittee,
not Locations and Repairs Subcommittee. There were no meetings of the
Locations and Repairs Subcommittee in June. However, there were meetings of
the Promotions and Seniority Subcommittee in June on the 7<SUP>th</SUP> and
14<SUP>th</SUP> (and not on the 16<SUP>th</SUP>). Also, there was an EOC
meeting on June 25<SUP>th</SUP> and not on the 18<SUP>th</SUP>. The minutes
for these three meetings (June 7<SUP>th</SUP>, 14<SUP>th</SUP> and
25<SUP>th</SUP>) are attached.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=4><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=4><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt">Pursuant to MCL 15.240 of the FOIA, you may (1) submit
a written appeal regarding the denial of any portion of your FOIA request to
Steven H. Hilfinger, Director, Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Attention:
Mike Zimmer, Ottawa Building, Fourth Floor, P.O. Box 30004, Lansing, Michigan
48909. Your appeal notice must include the word “appeal” and state the
reason(s) for reversal of the disclosure denial(s); or (2) You may commence an
action in circuit court to compel disclosure within 180 days after the
Department’s final determination denying your request. If you prevail in court
action, the court shall award reasonable attorney fees, costs, and
disbursements. If the court finds the Department’s actions to be arbitrary and
capricious, the court shall, in addition to any actual or compensatory
damages, award punitive damages in the amount of
$500.00.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=4><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=4><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt">Sincerely,<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=4><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=4><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=4><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=4><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=4><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt">Carla
Miller Haynes, FOIA Coordinator<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:State w:st="on"><FONT face=Arial
size=4><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt">Michigan</SPAN></FONT></st1:State></st1:place>
Commission for the Blind<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=4><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=4><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt">Attachments – Minutes of EOC Meetings dated June 7, 14
and 25, 2011<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=4><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=4><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt">cc: Patrick
Cannon<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=4><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt">
Mel Farmer<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=4><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt">
Constance Zanger<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=4><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt">
James Hull <o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=3><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=3><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Carla
Miller Haynes</SPAN></FONT><o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt">DLARA
<st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Michigan</st1:place></st1:State>
Commission for the Blind</SPAN></FONT><o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt">201
<st1:place w:st="on">N. Washington</st1:place> Sq., 2nd
Floor</SPAN></FONT><o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><st1:address w:st="on"><st1:Street w:st="on"><FONT
face=Arial size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt">P.O.
Box</SPAN></FONT></st1:Street><FONT size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt">
30652</SPAN></FONT></st1:address><o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on"><FONT face=Arial
size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Lansing</SPAN></FONT></st1:City><FONT
size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt">, <st1:State
w:st="on">MI</st1:State> <st1:PostalCode
w:st="on">48909</st1:PostalCode></SPAN></FONT></st1:place><o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Phone: 517/373-2063</SPAN></FONT><o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt">FAX:
517/335-5140</SPAN></FONT><o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=4><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt">www.michigan.gov/mcb</SPAN></FONT><o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial
size=4><o:p> </o:p></FONT></P></DIV></BLOCKQUOTE></BODY></HTML>