----- Original Message -----
From: joe harcz Comcast
To: Michael Steinberg ACLU
Cc: terry Eagle ; David Robinson NFB MI ; Mary Ann Robinson NFB MI ; Larry
Posont NFBMI Pres. ; Georgia Kitchen FANFB ; Larry Wanger ; Mark Eagle
Sent: Tuesday, March 29, 2016 8:30 AM
Subject: Fw: FOIA Response No. 2016-00743 Harcz
Goes to how blind folks in Genesee County were informed of resources in the
Flint water crisis by BSBP. Bottom line is they weren't. Also goes to the
ongoing issue of accessible and timelyinformation to people with print
impairments in this state. I've been blowing the whistle on these issues for
years. And all we get is more FOIA and inaccessible FOIA at that.
Joe Harcz
----- Original Message -----
From: joe harcz Comcast
To: LARAFOIAInfo
Sent: Tuesday, March 29, 2016 8:26 AM
Subject: Re: FOIA Response No. 2016-00743 Harcz
This is a scanned image file. My screen reading technology cannot read that.
Note, I am blind and note all entities of state and local government must remit
information in accessible format which I clearly articulated in all of my
correspondences, invoking the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
Send this to me as a plain text document, edited for accuracy as I originally
requested.
Tghis is the problem with this state including BSBP itself! Our own lead agency
for the blind doesn't remit information in accessible formats to anyone.
Moreover, I wish to know what format they (BSBP) sent these supposed letters to
clients of BSBP.
That is the point for if they sent print people were not informed for blind
folks cannot read print!
Paul Joseph Harcz, Jr.
----- Original Message -----
From: LARAFOIAInfo
To: joeharcz@xxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Tuesday, March 29, 2016 8:07 AM
Subject: FOIA Response No. 2016-00743 Harcz
Dear Mr. Harcz:
The Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) has
received your request for public records and has processed it under the
provisions of the Michigan Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), 1976 PA 442, MCL
15.231 et seq. Because of the nature of your request it was sent to the Bureau
of Service for Blind Persons (BSBP) to search for any non-exempt records that
may be responsive to your request.
Your request is granted in part and denied in part. Records responsive to
your request are attached. Section 13(1)(d) of the FOIA provides that
information specifically described exempt from disclosure by another agency
statute is exempt from disclosure; therefore, portions of your request have
been denied. (MCL 15.243(1)(d)) Consumer information contained in the
documents has been redacted per the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 34 CFR 361.68.
If you have questions concerning this matter, please feel free to contact the
LARA FOIA Office at LARAFOIAInfo@xxxxxxxxxxxx.
To review a copy of LARA's written public summary, procedures, and
guidelines, go to www.michigan.gov/lara.
Section 10 of the FOIA, MCL 15.240, provides that you may seek judicial
review in the Court of Claims within 180 days after the final denial
determination. If you prevail in such an action, the court is to award
reasonable attorney fees, costs, and disbursements, and possible damages.
LARA FOIA Office
sf
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: joe harcz Comcast
Sent: Thursday, March 17, 2016 9:05:34 AM (UTC-05:00) Eastern Time (US &
Canada)
To: Rodgers, Edward (LARA)
Cc: Zimmer, Mike (LARA); Larry Posont NFBMI Pres.; Fred Wurtzel
Subject: never answerred in foia response
March 17 2016 Still Not in FOIA
Paul Joseph Harcz, Jr.
1365 E. Mt. Morris Rd.
Mt. Morris, MI 48458
joeharcz@xxxxxxxxxxx
810-516-5262
To: Several on BSBP FOIA
All:
I point your attention to the following in my February 8, 2016 e-mail to Mr.
Ed Rodgers, Director of Mich. Bureau Services to Blind Persons:
"-Any correspondences to any blind customer from then to the present in the
Flint area detailing resources for
lead testing, availability of bottled water, or any other resource. In other
words just who, what, when, where,
why and how were blind customers notified not only of the crisis but, also of
resources?"
Now, in the release of FOIA made after more than a month by the way there was
no brochure, letter, memo, or anything related to how BSBP staff, and
particularly the Flint office staff actually informed blind persons of
resources. Not one item.
Except for the self-serving and belated entry onBSBP's web site made clearly
on February 9 as a cover and reaction to my requests.
So apparently there were no items in any format sent to blind persons in this
county.
Please point to where I might be incorrect in this assumption.
Sincerely,
Paul Joseph Harcz, Jr.
Cc: FOIA, LARA
Cc: ER, BSBP
Cc: MZ, LARA
Cc: several