Jan
5
I was reading CalAware Today and came across the posting about Thousands of Requested Records. Citing the Contra Costa Times article (their link doesn’t work) Public Records Act Requests were submitted by Brian Hildreth, Esq. representing numerous residents of Rancho Palos Verdes. Thousands of documents were copied and prepared, only to have Mr. Hildreth withdraw the request.
According to City Attorney Carol Lynch:
It was an arduous, arduous task for the city. To put everybody through this exercise for no reason, that really galled me.
The issue I see is not with Mr. Hildreth, but with the City’s position that it would be “galled” for doing its job, serving the people. The City makes numerous decisions each day that don’t benefit the taxpayer or resident.
So my question is … Should the Requester be forced to pay for records it requested in the event that the request is withdrawn?
This is particularly why I request to “inspect” the records first, then make copies. The City can’t argue that my right to inspect the records cost them anything. The right to inspect is free.
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