If you are of the “intellectual” class and wear sandals in winter, WARNING: this might offend you. You can choose not to read it or you can do what most of your kind do when hearing information you don’t like…plug your ears and sing “Not hearing you,” call me names, call these scientists fools and then call me names, or…just cry like babies.
Climate change takes place when the earth’s temperatures suddenly rise.
Fact.
It’s happening right now and we are causing it.
Not so much.
Apparently a team of scientists at Syracuse University has discovered that global warming occurred 500 to 1000 years ago. Dubbed the “Medieval Warm Period” and thought to have been confined to Europe, the researchers now know that it extended all the way to Antarctica.
A rare mineral called ikaite has crystals which are only stable under cold conditions and melt at room temperature. The water that holds the crystal structure together actually traps “information” about temperatures present when the crystals formed.
And the information given to the geochemists was that there was a surge in temperature followed by a mini ice age.
This is interesting because I didn’t know there were cars or trains or industrial pollutants to increase the CO2 emissions. I had no idea that even back then we human beings were mucking up the environment and causing global crises because of our wasteful and contaminating lifestyles.
Tongue in cheek aside, these guys at Syracuse are proving what most scientists have hypothesized for decades. That climate change has occurred since the dawn of the Earth and will continue to do so throughout the ages.
There is no amount of green technology, recycling, or population control that could make the slightest iota of a difference in our vast, complex, and eons-old geo-thermal system.
I don’t want to hear anymore whining from the tree-huggers. You’re just wrong and have been all along.
Now I’m going to go and turn on every light on my house, turn on my car and let it idle, and refuse to compost my vegetable trimmings.
‘Cause I can.
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Ask A Simple Question, Get Called Names
It’s amazing how asking one question can send people into a tizzy.
What brings on such convulsions of anger? Not wanting to answer the question? Having no answer? Having to lie?
I really don’t know.
I only know that this is how I got treated when I asked one very simple question.
................
----- Original Message -----
From: Amy Mik
To: officemanager@infoblvd.net
Sent: Thursday, March 22, 2012 9:13 AM
Subject: RE: ST. PATRICK'S DAY PARADE
Dear June Pieklo & Staff:
Good day.
I have gleaned information from a very reliable source that the masks/signs of Hogan were ordered and purchased by Hornell Partners for Growth
I appreciate the cleverness and loyalty displayed by those who "represented" our mayor at the parade. But if this is true it is a highly inappropriate use of the funds of hard-working Hornell businesses.
This "story" is making rounds in town, as you can expect, and I am hoping you could give me some information on this so that the rumors don't get out of hand.
Thanks,
Amy Mikolajczyk
From: ‘Shawn D. Hogan’
To: 'Amy Mik'
Sent: Thursday, March 22, 2012 11:46 AM
Subject: Mayors Pictures
I paid for the pictures of me in the parade and I have personally paid for a lot of things in that parade over the years, why are you such a small minded individual, what have I ever done to you, for you to be so bitter, that parade is a fun event and a community event and you just made me sick to my stomach through your petty nonsense.
Thanks,
----- Original Message -----
From: Amy Mik
To ‘Shawn D. Hogan’
Sent: Thursday, March 22, 2012 1:20 PM
Subject: Re: Mayors Pictures
There was nothing petty or small minded about a simple question.
As I said, I heard it from someone directly involved.
I thought you should be aware of it, so that you could offensively nip the rumors in the bud.
I am not the one spreading the rumors, I just heard it yesterday afternoon and emailed June this morning.
It's never surprising that you resort to name-calling. As for your sick stomach, that is of your own doing, not mine.
Amy
................................
But I'm bitter. Wow.
What brings on such convulsions of anger? Not wanting to answer the question? Having no answer? Having to lie?
I really don’t know.
I only know that this is how I got treated when I asked one very simple question.
................
----- Original Message -----
From: Amy Mik
To: officemanager@infoblvd.net
Sent: Thursday, March 22, 2012 9:13 AM
Subject: RE: ST. PATRICK'S DAY PARADE
Dear June Pieklo & Staff:
Good day.
I have gleaned information from a very reliable source that the masks/signs of Hogan were ordered and purchased by Hornell Partners for Growth
I appreciate the cleverness and loyalty displayed by those who "represented" our mayor at the parade. But if this is true it is a highly inappropriate use of the funds of hard-working Hornell businesses.
This "story" is making rounds in town, as you can expect, and I am hoping you could give me some information on this so that the rumors don't get out of hand.
Thanks,
Amy Mikolajczyk
From: ‘Shawn D. Hogan’
To: 'Amy Mik'
Sent: Thursday, March 22, 2012 11:46 AM
Subject: Mayors Pictures
I paid for the pictures of me in the parade and I have personally paid for a lot of things in that parade over the years, why are you such a small minded individual, what have I ever done to you, for you to be so bitter, that parade is a fun event and a community event and you just made me sick to my stomach through your petty nonsense.
Thanks,
----- Original Message -----
From: Amy Mik
To ‘Shawn D. Hogan’
Sent: Thursday, March 22, 2012 1:20 PM
Subject: Re: Mayors Pictures
There was nothing petty or small minded about a simple question.
As I said, I heard it from someone directly involved.
I thought you should be aware of it, so that you could offensively nip the rumors in the bud.
I am not the one spreading the rumors, I just heard it yesterday afternoon and emailed June this morning.
It's never surprising that you resort to name-calling. As for your sick stomach, that is of your own doing, not mine.
Amy
................................
But I'm bitter. Wow.
Monday, March 19, 2012
Who's REALLY “Turning Back the Clocks” on Women’s Rights?
Who is really “turning back the clocks” on women’s rights?
Feminism was originally about equality, justice, and getting the government out of the way. Today’s feminism is not about women’s empowerment, it is about being a “certain” type of woman. The kind of woman who is wiling to give up religious freedom and relinquish her life to the state.
A liberal woman. There is no other, apparently.
Women like MSNBC Political Analyst Karen Finney. Regarding Santorum’s wins on Super Tuesday, she cannot comprehend why women would vote for a conservative:
“This woman vote really hurts me, I got to say. You heard me say that…It’s a little painful because I’m wondering if those women really heard the full message that, yes, there’s the economy, but if you’ve got to worry about your basic healthcare, how are you then going to be able to do what you need to do in terms of having a job, paying your rent, taking care of your kids?”
She is stunned that we could be so stupid. She implies that we think economic issues are more important than what she sees is a “health care” issue. Wrong, sweetheart. Most women just see that forcing Catholic institutions to pay for your birth control is a “freedom of religion” issue.
Hillary Clinton is that “certain” kind of woman, too:
“Why extremists always focus on women remains a mystery to me. But they all seem to. It doesn‘t matter what country they’re in or what religion they claim. They all want to control women.”
Because women do vote conservative, and Hillary knows this, she is saying that women are extremists who want to control women. Makes no sense, right?
Senator Bernard Sanders uses this seemingly inclusive and universal word, “women,” as well:
"If the Senate had 83 women and 17 men instead of 83 men and 17 women, my strong guess is a bill like this would never make it to the floor," he said, referring to the Republican amendment to circumvent a rule requiring employers to provide contraceptives.
Don’t put me in a box, Bernie. You don’t speak for me. You don’t speak for women. You speak for the minority. You speak for the Liberal Woman.
Then Nancy Pelosi really blew it.
"Five men are testifying on women's health," she said. "Where are the women? Imagine having a panel on women's health and they don't have any women on the panel."
She paused, and then added, "Duh!"
Apparently she was, um…mistaken.
Congressman Darrell Issa’s spokeswoman Becca Glover Watkins stated, "Rep. Pelosi is either ill informed or arrogantly dismissive of women who don’t share her views. Today’s hearing does in fact include two women, Dr. Allison Garrett of Oklahoma Christian University and Dr. Laura Champion of Calvin College Health Services," she said.
DUH, back atchya, Nancy.
Women literally don’t count unless they are liberals. They may as well not even exist.
It’s simple, “ladies” and “gentleman:”
We real women don’t want the government to pay our rent. We don’t want the government to provide us with a job or give us free birth control. We want the government to get the Hell out of our lives. We do not consider ourselves a weak sub-species that needs to be taken care of. We do not drink the kool-aid of the Pelosis and Clintons and Finneys. We’d rather be like Susan B. Anthony:
“There is not the woman born who desires to eat the bread of dependence, no matter whether it be from the hand of father, husband, or brother; for any one who does so eat her bread places herself in the power of the person from whom she takes it. Independence is happiness.”
The only “women” who are turning back the clock on women’s rights are the unhappy, dependent, and liberal ones.
Feminism was originally about equality, justice, and getting the government out of the way. Today’s feminism is not about women’s empowerment, it is about being a “certain” type of woman. The kind of woman who is wiling to give up religious freedom and relinquish her life to the state.
A liberal woman. There is no other, apparently.
Women like MSNBC Political Analyst Karen Finney. Regarding Santorum’s wins on Super Tuesday, she cannot comprehend why women would vote for a conservative:
“This woman vote really hurts me, I got to say. You heard me say that…It’s a little painful because I’m wondering if those women really heard the full message that, yes, there’s the economy, but if you’ve got to worry about your basic healthcare, how are you then going to be able to do what you need to do in terms of having a job, paying your rent, taking care of your kids?”
She is stunned that we could be so stupid. She implies that we think economic issues are more important than what she sees is a “health care” issue. Wrong, sweetheart. Most women just see that forcing Catholic institutions to pay for your birth control is a “freedom of religion” issue.
Hillary Clinton is that “certain” kind of woman, too:
“Why extremists always focus on women remains a mystery to me. But they all seem to. It doesn‘t matter what country they’re in or what religion they claim. They all want to control women.”
Because women do vote conservative, and Hillary knows this, she is saying that women are extremists who want to control women. Makes no sense, right?
Senator Bernard Sanders uses this seemingly inclusive and universal word, “women,” as well:
"If the Senate had 83 women and 17 men instead of 83 men and 17 women, my strong guess is a bill like this would never make it to the floor," he said, referring to the Republican amendment to circumvent a rule requiring employers to provide contraceptives.
Don’t put me in a box, Bernie. You don’t speak for me. You don’t speak for women. You speak for the minority. You speak for the Liberal Woman.
Then Nancy Pelosi really blew it.
"Five men are testifying on women's health," she said. "Where are the women? Imagine having a panel on women's health and they don't have any women on the panel."
She paused, and then added, "Duh!"
Apparently she was, um…mistaken.
Congressman Darrell Issa’s spokeswoman Becca Glover Watkins stated, "Rep. Pelosi is either ill informed or arrogantly dismissive of women who don’t share her views. Today’s hearing does in fact include two women, Dr. Allison Garrett of Oklahoma Christian University and Dr. Laura Champion of Calvin College Health Services," she said.
DUH, back atchya, Nancy.
Women literally don’t count unless they are liberals. They may as well not even exist.
It’s simple, “ladies” and “gentleman:”
We real women don’t want the government to pay our rent. We don’t want the government to provide us with a job or give us free birth control. We want the government to get the Hell out of our lives. We do not consider ourselves a weak sub-species that needs to be taken care of. We do not drink the kool-aid of the Pelosis and Clintons and Finneys. We’d rather be like Susan B. Anthony:
“There is not the woman born who desires to eat the bread of dependence, no matter whether it be from the hand of father, husband, or brother; for any one who does so eat her bread places herself in the power of the person from whom she takes it. Independence is happiness.”
The only “women” who are turning back the clock on women’s rights are the unhappy, dependent, and liberal ones.
Saturday, March 17, 2012
Happy St. Patrick's Day
Since before the American Revolution, St. Patrick’s Day has been observed as a day for wearing green, a celebration of all things Irish, and a day to imbibe large amounts of food an alcohol. But it above all is supposed to celebrate St. Patrick, the captive turned rescuer, the humble priest turned iconic saint.
After converting hundreds and thousands at each town he ministered to, St. Patrick would issue a blessing upon the people. Here it is, with a specific edit courtesy yours truly.
Happy St. Patrick’s Day, everyone!
A blessing on the Hornell people —
Men, youths, and women;
A blessing on the land
That yields them fruit.
A blessing on every treasure
That shall be produced on their plains,
Without any one being in want of help,
God's blessing be on Hornell.
A blessing on their peaks,
On their bare flagstones,
A blessing on their glens,
A blessing on their ridges.
Like the sand of the sea under ships,
Be the number in their hearths;
On slopes, on plains,
On mountains, on hills, a blessing.
After converting hundreds and thousands at each town he ministered to, St. Patrick would issue a blessing upon the people. Here it is, with a specific edit courtesy yours truly.
Happy St. Patrick’s Day, everyone!
A blessing on the Hornell people —
Men, youths, and women;
A blessing on the land
That yields them fruit.
A blessing on every treasure
That shall be produced on their plains,
Without any one being in want of help,
God's blessing be on Hornell.
A blessing on their peaks,
On their bare flagstones,
A blessing on their glens,
A blessing on their ridges.
Like the sand of the sea under ships,
Be the number in their hearths;
On slopes, on plains,
On mountains, on hills, a blessing.
Monday, March 12, 2012
Right Attitude, Wrongful Birth
Recently on various social networks a campaign has been in full swing to educate the public about updates, photos, and jokes regarding those with mental or physical disabilities. “Spread the Word to End the Word” (referring to the “R” word), has generated a well-spring of positive, life-affirming activism that crosses the lines of race, creed, and age. In addition, the Arizona State legislature is ready to pass a law preventing “Wrongful Birth” lawsuits, adding themselves to Idaho, Indiana, Michigan, Missouri, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, and Utah.
It seems we are growing as a culture.
Science has also made us more aware of the fact that none of us is qualified to judge what a life is “worth.” The life expectancy for a child with Downs Syndrome, for example, was age 9 in 1910, age of 25 in 1983, and is age 60 today.
Still, this change in attitude cannot possibly compete with the millions of dollars lawyers can make in “Wrongful Birth” lawsuits.
Go ahead, Google it. Check out all the ads. Rather disgusting if you ask me
Last week a jury awarded a nice chunk of change to a Portland-area couple whose daughter was born with Down Syndrome even though a prenatal test (tests purported to have an 80% false positive rate) found she didn't have the chromosomal abnormality. Taking less than six hours before reaching a verdict, Legacy Health System was ordered to pay Ariel and Deborah Levy nearly three million dollars.
While it’s predicted that a dozen states will have bans on “Wrongful Birth” lawsuits by the end of 2012, Oregon appears to be behind the times, moral and scientifically. And our great state of New York? We allow “Wrongful Life” suits, brought by our children.
Heaven help us.
The first “Wrongful Birth” lawsuit was New Jersey’s Gleitman v. Cosgrove in 1966. Told by her doctors that her rubella would not affect her child, a mother sued the medical staff because the child was born with various congenital abnormalities. The court rejected the case as illegitimate, stating:
“It is basic to the human condition to seek life and hold onto it, however heavily burdened….The right to life is inalienable in our society. A court cannot say what defect should prevent an embryo from being allowed life…The sanctity of a single human life is the decisive factor in this suit in tort. Eugenic considerations are not controlling…We firmly believe the right of the child to live is greater than and precludes their right not to endure emotional and financial distress.”
Such sentiment has become nearly obsolete now, as “Wrongful Birth” lawsuits became the norm once abortion was legalized in 1973.
Campaigns against the “R” word need to be followed up with an end to “WBLS.”
It seems we are growing as a culture.
Science has also made us more aware of the fact that none of us is qualified to judge what a life is “worth.” The life expectancy for a child with Downs Syndrome, for example, was age 9 in 1910, age of 25 in 1983, and is age 60 today.
Still, this change in attitude cannot possibly compete with the millions of dollars lawyers can make in “Wrongful Birth” lawsuits.
Go ahead, Google it. Check out all the ads. Rather disgusting if you ask me
Last week a jury awarded a nice chunk of change to a Portland-area couple whose daughter was born with Down Syndrome even though a prenatal test (tests purported to have an 80% false positive rate) found she didn't have the chromosomal abnormality. Taking less than six hours before reaching a verdict, Legacy Health System was ordered to pay Ariel and Deborah Levy nearly three million dollars.
While it’s predicted that a dozen states will have bans on “Wrongful Birth” lawsuits by the end of 2012, Oregon appears to be behind the times, moral and scientifically. And our great state of New York? We allow “Wrongful Life” suits, brought by our children.
Heaven help us.
The first “Wrongful Birth” lawsuit was New Jersey’s Gleitman v. Cosgrove in 1966. Told by her doctors that her rubella would not affect her child, a mother sued the medical staff because the child was born with various congenital abnormalities. The court rejected the case as illegitimate, stating:
“It is basic to the human condition to seek life and hold onto it, however heavily burdened….The right to life is inalienable in our society. A court cannot say what defect should prevent an embryo from being allowed life…The sanctity of a single human life is the decisive factor in this suit in tort. Eugenic considerations are not controlling…We firmly believe the right of the child to live is greater than and precludes their right not to endure emotional and financial distress.”
Such sentiment has become nearly obsolete now, as “Wrongful Birth” lawsuits became the norm once abortion was legalized in 1973.
Campaigns against the “R” word need to be followed up with an end to “WBLS.”
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Who’s to Blame for the Closing of Catholic Schools?
(Full disclosure: my husband is Chair of Our Lady of the Valley’s Finance Committee)
Television crews interview the teachers and children. Local newspapers run front page stories; social networks are abuzz with a “Save Our School” campaign.
The projected closing of St. Ann School in Hornell has awakened a sleeping giant. Time will tell if the miracle many are praying for will come to fruition.
Time will also tell if the gossip, slander, anger and enmity will be quelled by understanding and forgiveness.
What? Gossip? Anger? In a church?
Well, yeah.
It seems that those who recommended closing the school (strictly for financial reasons) are Public Enemy Number 1. Or I suppose in this case they’d be called Private Enemy Number 1. They are just selfish and evil. And those who want to keep the school open are noble and blameless.
It’s all black and white, you see.
The blame game runs the gamut from the Bishop to the Pastor to Council members to parishioners.
“They are bad. We are good.”
I won’t get started on the fact that maybe, just maybe, this kind of attitude from a significant minority in our parish is not exactly the best marketing strategy. Rather let’s look at what I believe is the singly valid and provable cause for Catholic schools closing not just in our area but across the entire country.
Tithing.
And the fact that Catholics just don’t do it.
Christian churches across the country don’t do it either. They average 2.2% of their income. Catholics average half that.
Well, you might say, times are tough. The economy’s poor. People have so many bills to pay, you know.
Anyone who believes that the average Catholic in the Canisteo Valley can’t give more than 1.1% to the Church that ministers to them is in full-fledge denial.
How much money do we spend on dining out for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or even a coffee? To get our manicure or pedicure? To buy drinks on Friday after work? For that trip to the mall to buy clothes?
Then we scramble for the spare change at the Mass’ Collection. We pull out the dollar bills and coins that remain after we’ve purchased all of our “necessities.”
Wow.
Sorry, God. Catch ya later.
The fact is that a lot of American Catholics have slid into the dark arena of worshipping Secular Consumerism.
It’s all about the stuff, you know.
This sentiment was echoed by the College of Cardinals last month, where it was stated: “[The] challenge of secularism…tends to marginalize religion from social life in the West.” Pope Benedict XVI addressed a similar theme: “The need for an authentic renewal of catechesis…against what has been defined as 'religious illiteracy.’”
Literacy such as Canon 222. §1: “Christ's faithful have the obligation to provide for the needs of the Church, so that the Church has available to it those things which are necessary for divine worship, for apostolic and charitable work and for the worthy support of its ministers.”
The worthy support of its ministers.
Not the leftovers we discover in our pockets while sitting in the pews.
Ironically, if more of our generation had gone to Catholic Schools, this obligation would be more well-known.
Otherwise, if you really want to know why Catholic Schools close, think about your wallet size; think about your priorities.
And then take a good long look in the mirror.
Television crews interview the teachers and children. Local newspapers run front page stories; social networks are abuzz with a “Save Our School” campaign.
The projected closing of St. Ann School in Hornell has awakened a sleeping giant. Time will tell if the miracle many are praying for will come to fruition.
Time will also tell if the gossip, slander, anger and enmity will be quelled by understanding and forgiveness.
What? Gossip? Anger? In a church?
Well, yeah.
It seems that those who recommended closing the school (strictly for financial reasons) are Public Enemy Number 1. Or I suppose in this case they’d be called Private Enemy Number 1. They are just selfish and evil. And those who want to keep the school open are noble and blameless.
It’s all black and white, you see.
The blame game runs the gamut from the Bishop to the Pastor to Council members to parishioners.
“They are bad. We are good.”
I won’t get started on the fact that maybe, just maybe, this kind of attitude from a significant minority in our parish is not exactly the best marketing strategy. Rather let’s look at what I believe is the singly valid and provable cause for Catholic schools closing not just in our area but across the entire country.
Tithing.
And the fact that Catholics just don’t do it.
Christian churches across the country don’t do it either. They average 2.2% of their income. Catholics average half that.
Well, you might say, times are tough. The economy’s poor. People have so many bills to pay, you know.
Anyone who believes that the average Catholic in the Canisteo Valley can’t give more than 1.1% to the Church that ministers to them is in full-fledge denial.
How much money do we spend on dining out for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or even a coffee? To get our manicure or pedicure? To buy drinks on Friday after work? For that trip to the mall to buy clothes?
Then we scramble for the spare change at the Mass’ Collection. We pull out the dollar bills and coins that remain after we’ve purchased all of our “necessities.”
Wow.
Sorry, God. Catch ya later.
The fact is that a lot of American Catholics have slid into the dark arena of worshipping Secular Consumerism.
It’s all about the stuff, you know.
This sentiment was echoed by the College of Cardinals last month, where it was stated: “[The] challenge of secularism…tends to marginalize religion from social life in the West.” Pope Benedict XVI addressed a similar theme: “The need for an authentic renewal of catechesis…against what has been defined as 'religious illiteracy.’”
Literacy such as Canon 222. §1: “Christ's faithful have the obligation to provide for the needs of the Church, so that the Church has available to it those things which are necessary for divine worship, for apostolic and charitable work and for the worthy support of its ministers.”
The worthy support of its ministers.
Not the leftovers we discover in our pockets while sitting in the pews.
Ironically, if more of our generation had gone to Catholic Schools, this obligation would be more well-known.
Otherwise, if you really want to know why Catholic Schools close, think about your wallet size; think about your priorities.
And then take a good long look in the mirror.
Friday, March 2, 2012
F.O.I.L. Concluded...For Now
The NYS Committee on Open Government finally responded to my appeal. Here are some of the salient points:
"Based on the conflicting information given to you by the clerk and that reported in the newspaper, and our general understanding that municipal accounting is largely performed with reliance on electronic databases, it may be that the City maintains the records that you seek in electronic format and that a discussion to clarify the information that you seek is in order..."
"In consideration of the foregoing, we believe that the City’s request for clarification was appropriate, and that if further clarification is necessary, such should be communicated to you. In our view, based on the provision quoted above, the records access officer must ensure that City staff provide information concerning the means by which the records of your interest are maintained or retrieved in order to enable you, if necessary, to “reasonably describe” the records as required by law..."
"Due to the breadth of the definition, insofar as the Bank maintains or prepares records for the City, we believe that such records (bank signature cards) are City records that fall within the coverage of the Freedom of Information Law. If, however, the Bank’s records are maintained for its own business purposes and not for the City, the Freedom of Information Law would not apply [see United Food v. City of Schenectady IDA, 204 AD2d 887(1994)]..."
"Accordingly, it is our opinion, that when an agency such as the City of Hornell has the ability to receive and respond to requests via email, it is required do so. Further clarification requested and received via email, in our opinion would be entirely appropriate." [This was in response to the Clerk's contention that no further email communication would occur)
In other words...
I was right. Mostly. The Bank signature card request gets gray, but in lieu of the support I got from C.O.O.G. regarding the other issues, I am willing to let that part of my request go.
For now.
My next F.O.I.L was for ELECTRONIC documents as follows: Credit Summary Reports for Ambulance Account, monthly Revenue and Expenditure reports for Ambulance Account(each from from about April 2010 to January 2011), and copies of all BILLABLE Ambulance bills for the month of October 2011. I asked for all of the items to be sent to me electronically, except for the ambulance bills, which I had been told AD NAUSEUM could not be sent electronically because "information had to be blackened out by hand." Fine.
Their response was immediate for the electronic files, I received all of them in .PDF format. Yes, they have scanners at city hall and fancy-schmancy software to generate electronic files out of paper ones and equally smart programs to EMAIL electronic files. Who knew?
Then I received an email stating that if I remit the copying cost of $59.60, the ambulance bills would be provided. Check promptly sent, followed by an email a week or so later telling me they were ready.
The Deputy Clerk was kind enough to drop them off to my house on her way home. Easily the nicest thing anyone at City Hall has ever done for me. Sincerely.
I eagerly opened the packet of ambulance bills, expecting to find paper copies with large swaths of black marker wiping out any identifying information. I mean, that's what I was told would have to be done.
Nope.
Apparently all that had to be done was to CUT OFF the top portion of the bill.
Wait, I thought...
Nevermind.
Anyways I have indeed gleaned some very interesting information and will continue looking into some of the serious concerns that I have been asked to investigate. Could be nothing...or not.
Regarding the city's prompt response to my request this time around? Well, it's either because I dumbed it down to such an extent that they had no choice but to acquiesce, or it's because no one likes the State to come down and say, "Uh-oh, oooh duys did mate a boo-boo."
Whatever.
"Based on the conflicting information given to you by the clerk and that reported in the newspaper, and our general understanding that municipal accounting is largely performed with reliance on electronic databases, it may be that the City maintains the records that you seek in electronic format and that a discussion to clarify the information that you seek is in order..."
"In consideration of the foregoing, we believe that the City’s request for clarification was appropriate, and that if further clarification is necessary, such should be communicated to you. In our view, based on the provision quoted above, the records access officer must ensure that City staff provide information concerning the means by which the records of your interest are maintained or retrieved in order to enable you, if necessary, to “reasonably describe” the records as required by law..."
"Due to the breadth of the definition, insofar as the Bank maintains or prepares records for the City, we believe that such records (bank signature cards) are City records that fall within the coverage of the Freedom of Information Law. If, however, the Bank’s records are maintained for its own business purposes and not for the City, the Freedom of Information Law would not apply [see United Food v. City of Schenectady IDA, 204 AD2d 887(1994)]..."
"Accordingly, it is our opinion, that when an agency such as the City of Hornell has the ability to receive and respond to requests via email, it is required do so. Further clarification requested and received via email, in our opinion would be entirely appropriate." [This was in response to the Clerk's contention that no further email communication would occur)
In other words...
I was right. Mostly. The Bank signature card request gets gray, but in lieu of the support I got from C.O.O.G. regarding the other issues, I am willing to let that part of my request go.
For now.
My next F.O.I.L was for ELECTRONIC documents as follows: Credit Summary Reports for Ambulance Account, monthly Revenue and Expenditure reports for Ambulance Account(each from from about April 2010 to January 2011), and copies of all BILLABLE Ambulance bills for the month of October 2011. I asked for all of the items to be sent to me electronically, except for the ambulance bills, which I had been told AD NAUSEUM could not be sent electronically because "information had to be blackened out by hand." Fine.
Their response was immediate for the electronic files, I received all of them in .PDF format. Yes, they have scanners at city hall and fancy-schmancy software to generate electronic files out of paper ones and equally smart programs to EMAIL electronic files. Who knew?
Then I received an email stating that if I remit the copying cost of $59.60, the ambulance bills would be provided. Check promptly sent, followed by an email a week or so later telling me they were ready.
The Deputy Clerk was kind enough to drop them off to my house on her way home. Easily the nicest thing anyone at City Hall has ever done for me. Sincerely.
I eagerly opened the packet of ambulance bills, expecting to find paper copies with large swaths of black marker wiping out any identifying information. I mean, that's what I was told would have to be done.
Nope.
Apparently all that had to be done was to CUT OFF the top portion of the bill.
Wait, I thought...
Nevermind.
Anyways I have indeed gleaned some very interesting information and will continue looking into some of the serious concerns that I have been asked to investigate. Could be nothing...or not.
Regarding the city's prompt response to my request this time around? Well, it's either because I dumbed it down to such an extent that they had no choice but to acquiesce, or it's because no one likes the State to come down and say, "Uh-oh, oooh duys did mate a boo-boo."
Whatever.
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