Saturday, April 28, 2012

Time to teach you how to fish!

A new blog site!

I started a new blog site to teach readers how I write Freedom of Information requests.  This idea has been on my mind for some time, and, quite frankly, I’m tired of being the FOIA conduit.  Also, the rules have changed making it difficult for me to process your requests while supporting my FOIA needs.

So there you have it: Butterly on FOIA’s!

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Mr. Butterly...

Went to the new blog. Found the directions easy to follow. I expect to be writing FOIA emails to Ms. Lucarz in the near future.

Thanks for doing what you do!

Anonymous said...

Great. You have just given the Park District a perfect excuse for anything that's not being done, because they're too busy answering nuisance FOIA requests. Too bad you can't think of any better use of your time when there is so much real need in the community for creative people with energy. What a waste.

Kenneth Butterly said...

Anon: April 29, 2012 4:11 PM,

I really do think you’re overreacting.

It’s true, my being the conduit for FOIA requests among interested seniors and others, did make it easier for Park Board employees. That said; PRPD employees and management are clearly capable of handling the recent requests I’ve received and rejected.

As you are probably aware, a recent local newspaper article left the impression that I and my FOIA requests were/are for some, the bane of their existence. And since I see my role in presenting the PRPD/SSI/Senior Senate debacle diminishing in the near future, it only seemed right that I: A.) teach a class on this subject or B.), complete the Butterly on FOIA’s blog post. I chose the latter.

As to the use of my time, I have used my time and creativity in a cause I believe in. Because you do not see things the same way, doesn’t mean that my time or creativity has been a waste. Now, had I sided with the Park District as you have implied, not only do I believe my time and creativity would have been wasted, but I would not have been able to look myself in the mirror!

Sandee Main said...

Anon 4/29 4:11 PM

For instance, this may be helpful to you in understanding how to avoid "nuisance" requests...If I were asked to provide to Ken or anyone the text of a letter I sent on August 23, 2011, to MWR and copied the Park commissioners, regarding the verbal assault expressed toward residents by her and another member of the Board, I could produce the document within minutes.

It would not be necessary for the individual who requested such to seek alternate more time consuming processes. I could additionally refer the requester to view the Park Board meeting video of July 2011 Board meeting to view the video with no bias suggested by me. The incident occurred during the resident allowed portion of the meeting. The interested party would not need to sit through a viewing of the entire meeting. Pretty simple to cooperatively share information, if requested.

Anonymous said...

Sandee:

My hats off to you. Your comments on this blog have been an eye opening, wonderful read.