Since the Ohio Republican Party Is Now The Champion Of Open Government...

I'm sure they look forward to filling my open records request to Mary Taylor.

FYI...from last week's Gongwer:

The Ohio Republican Party complained that three Democratic statewide officeholders failed to comply with a large records request made several months ago. Democrats responded Thursday that the "sham" request was a waste of taxpayer money.

ORP Chairman Bob Bennett late Wednesday issued a release questioning the response of Governor Ted Strickland and two other Democratic statewide officers to records requests filed last year.

The party, in what it described as an "experiment," had intern Jennifer Thrasher submit requests in her name for thousands of documents from the offices of the governor, Attorney General Marc Dann, Secretary of State Jennifer Brunnerand Treasurer Richard Cordray.

Media outlets subsequently reported that the University of Akron student was working for ORP. The party did not make a similar request of the only Republican statewide officer, Auditor Mary Taylor.

So this morning I forwarded this on to Mary Taylor's Open Records division:

March 23, 2008

Auditor of State, Mary Taylor, CPA
88 E. Broad Street, 5th Floor
Columbus, Ohio 43215
Attention: Open Government Unit

Dear Auditor Mary Taylor, CPA,

Pursuant to the state open records law, Ohio Rev. Code Ann. sec. 149.43 to 149.44, I write to request access to and a copy of all emails between Ohio Auditor Mary Taylor and the heads of her Administrative, Legal and Audit divisions. Please provide these emails to me in a readable format on cdrom.. If your agency does not maintain these public records, please let me know who does and include the proper custodian’s name and address.

I agree to pay any reasonable copying and postage fees of not more than $50. If the cost would be greater than this amount, please notify me. Please provide a receipt indicating the charges for each document.

I would request your response within ten (10) business days.

If you choose to deny this request, please provide a written explanation for the denial including a reference to the specific statutory exemption(s) upon which you rely. Also, please provide all segregable portions of otherwise exempt material.

Please be advised that I am prepared to pursue whatever legal remedy necessary to obtain access to the requested records. I would note that violation of the open records law can result in the award of court costs and attorney fees.

Thank you for your assistance.

Sincerely,

Jerid K Kurtz

Buckeye State Blog
c/o Jerid Kurtz
...
Cleveland, OH 44106

Wonder if John McClelland will change his tune?

"The law does not require a motive for access to public records. So regardless of who made the request or why, these officials are not in compliance with the law."