I've asked the LMRFD for documents to help us make good decisions. So far I've got a few documents, but have been given excuses why I can't have other documents.
The law is very clear on public records, citizens can review public records for free, and the cost for copies of documents must be reasonable.
When I asked for the LMRFD SOP or Standard Operating Procedures Manual this is what I was told, "Like I said, I do not have a copy of NACFD's SOP's. The SOP's for the LMRFD from 2.5 years ago, which may or may not be relevant at this point, are 124 pages total. I have not found a way to quickly download and send them directly from our reporting service. I will need to print, scan and email them. I am hesitant to do that, not knowing if they even apply any longer. Ellen"
These are public records, our public records. No one has the right to decide if a public record is "relevant", they only need to follow the law and provide access at a reasonable cost. $2 per page is not reasonable.
I'm sorry she doesn't know how to operate a computer, but printing documents is a very basic computer skill, citizens shouldn't be charged high prices because she's incompetent with computers.
I have filed a complaint with the Arizona Ombudsman's Office to gain access to public records we have a right to see.
Jay
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