[nfbmi-talk] Fw: FOIA Response to Request for Information onExpansion & Renovation of BEP Location at the State Capitol

Wed Oct 30 03:38:24 UTC 2013

The FOIA response published below is exactly why the MCB/BS4BP BEP received
the state auditors' miserable findings and conclusions concerning the poor
management operation of BEP.  It is likely true, based on the findings of
the BEP audit, that in fact, the agency has no idea of the cost of the
project in general, and what has been expended thus far.  One would think
that since any expenditure of $2500 must be approved by Mr. Rodgers, that
the data related to the Capitol smack bar cost would be readily available,
along with the project estimates, but as the audit indicated, the BS4BP and
BEP either knows not how, or choses not, to make use of the electronic
systems that are available for efficient and effective management tools, as
Executive Order 2012-10 was allegedly going to provide.  Instead, we have
gotten the same poor incompetent BEP management, and an expanded and bloated
administration, based on intimate relationship building as qualification,
and absolutely no improvement in management, based on outcome metrics.  Mr.
Rodgers and Mr. Governor, where are the dashboard metrics and performance
outcomes for Executive Order 2012-10 and the BEP audit?  I understood that
this governor ran on a platform of measurable performance dashboard metrics
outcomes; transparent and readily available and able to be seen by the
public.  Nearly three years have elapsed in the Governor's term, and he is
surrounded by and staffed agencies and bureaus with that idea and promise
clearly put before the public and voters, so when shall we see fulfillment
of the promise of transparent dashboard metrics outcomes?  Or, are we the
voting public left with only the memory of another election campaign buzz
word and media sound bite?  If indeed, as I suspect, it is the latter, then
I would hope the voting and disfranchised public will rememver the promises
and failure to deliver, except for the expanded and bloated administration,
absent any accountability. 

-----Original Message-----
From: nfbmi-talk [mailto:nfbmi-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of joe
harcz Comcast
Sent: Tuesday, October 29, 2013 4:10 PM
To: nfbmi-talk at nfbnet.org
Subject: [nfbmi-talk] Fw: FOIA Response to Request for Information
onExpansion & Renovation of BEP Location at the State Capitol

----- Original Message ----- 
From: Haynes, Carla (LARA) 
To: joe harcz Comcast 
Cc: Rodgers, Edward (LARA) ; Luzenski, Sue (LARA) ; Pemble, Mike (LARA) ;
Belknap, Katie (LARA) ; Duell, Elsie (LARA) ; Essenberg, Rob (LARA) ;
Zanger, Connie (LARA) ; Hull, James (LARA) 
Sent: Tuesday, October 29, 2013 3:18 PM
Subject: RE: FOIA Response to Request for Information on Expansion &
Renovation of BEP Location at the State Capitol

October 29, 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 Expansion & Renovation of
the BEP Location at the MI State Capitol

Dear Mr. Harcz, Jr.:

This email is in response to your October 22, 2013, email requests for
information, received by this office on October 23, 2013.  Please be advised
that the Bureau of Services for Blind Persons is processing these requests
under the state's Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), MCL 15.231 et seq.

You have requested information as described in your email (also included
below) as:

"I simply wish to know today how much BSBP is spending for the expansion and
renovation of the Business Enterprise location in the Michigan State
Capitol."

In order to determine the extent of the research time, the size and number
of records of nonexempt information within BSBP responsive to your request,
a search must be undertaken.  For this reason, it is necessary to extend the
time for response, as permitted by Section 5(2)(d) of the FOIA, through
November 12, 2013, 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.

October 29, 2013

Page 2 of 2

that cost (before or no later than November 12, 2013).  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

Rob Essenberg

Constance Zanger

James Hull

          Elsie Duell

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

Sent: Tuesday, October 22, 2013 1:25 PM 

To: Zimmer, Mike (LARA) 

Cc: Rodgers, Edward (LARA); BSBPcommissioners; nfbmi-talk at nfbnet.org;
Christyne.Cavataio at ed.gov 

Subject: simple question capitol bep renovation

October 22 to Rodgers Zimmer Simple Question Capitol

Paul Joseph Harcz, Jr.

1365 E. Mt. Morris Rd.

Mt. Morris, MI 48458

joeharcz at comcast.net

810-516-5262

To: Ed Rodgers, Director BSBP

Michael Zimmer, LARA, DSA

Sirs,

Could you all answer a very simple question without making a big FOIA stink
over it?

I simply wish to know today how much BSBP is spending for the expansion and
renovation of the Business Enterprise location in the Michigan State
Capitol.

I would think the stewards of federal Vocational Rehabilitation funds and
their state match should be able to come up with a simple dollar amount for
this project.

All I request is that in a simple e-mail response.

Sincerely,

Paul Joseph Harcz, Jr.

Cc: NFB MI

Cc: RSA

Cc: several

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