[nfbmi-talk] Fw: FOIA Response to Request for Information on Expenditures for Anderson Building

[joe harcz Comcast]

----- 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) ; Zanger, Connie (LARA) ; Hull, James (LARA) ; Essenberg, Rob (LARA) 
Sent: Wednesday, October 30, 2013 2:13 PM
Subject: FOIA Response to Request for Information on Expenditures for Anderson Building


October 30, 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 Expenditures for the Anderson Building (formerly known as "The State Plate"

 

Dear Mr. Harcz, Jr.:

 

This email is in response to your October 23, 2013, email request for information, received by this office on October 24, 2013.  Please be advised that the Bureau of Services for Blind Persons is processing this request 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 am wondering just how much in improvements, maintenance and other capital costs from BSBP accounts have been plowed in to this facility. The, second question is: When in the heck is this location going to be put on the bidline in accordence with PA 260 and promulgated rules?"

 

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 14, 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 30, 2013

Page 2 of 2

 

 

that cost (before or no later than November 14, 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

          Elsie Duell

          Constance Zanger

          James Hull



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

Sent: Wednesday, October 23, 2013 8:00 AM 

To: Rodgers, Edward (LARA) 

Cc: Zimmer, Mike (LARA); Christyne.Cavataio at ed.gov; BRIAN SABOURIN; Marlene Malloy; nfbmi-

talk at nfbnet.org 

Subject: simple questions state plate?

 

October 23 2013 Questions About Anderson Building State Plate

 

 

Paul Joseph Harcz, Jr.

1365 E. Mt. Morris Rd.

Mt. Morris, MI 48458

joeharcz at comcast.net

810-516-5262

 

 

Re: Simple Questions?

 

To: Edward Rodgers, Director

Bureau of Services for Blind Persons

S. Michael Zimmer, Deputy Director LARA and BSBP DSA

(Via E-mail)

 

 

Dear Sirs,

 

 

I have two very simple questions concerning accountability of this agency and regarding the PA 260 mandated BEP facility in the Anderson Building known as "The State Plate".

 

First, since this location was closed and not put on the "bid line" for operators in December of 2011 I am wondering just how much in improvements, maintenance and other capital costs from BSBP accounts have been plowed in to this facility which again hasn't had a blind operator for now close to two years in it and hasn't even served one cup  of coffee? This should be easy enough for an agency to discern a dollar ammount as I'm assured by the agency that it has met the requirements in these regards relative to the Auditor General's report of November 2012. All I wish for is a total expended here. You know it is less than you require of operators themselves and you, again shouldn't have any trouble producing a figure here.

 

The, second question is: When in the heck is this location going to be put on the bidline in accordence with PA 260 and promulgated rules?

 

These are simple questions of public servants and stewards of copious federal and state funds who have promoted increased effecincies, better management, and more transparency than the prior regime, or at least state as much to the public. So I simply expect a straight forward and accessible, written answer.

 

Sincerely,

 

Paul Joseph Harcz, Jr.

 

Cc: NFB MI

Cc: BSBP "Commissioners"

Cc: MCRC

Cc: CAP

Cc: RSA

Cc: several media and legislators

 

 

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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