STATE GRC ASKS FIRE DISTRICT TO RESPOND

The Reporter's Request For Records Was Denied And Is The Subject Of A GRC Inquiry

As we reported on December 3rd, Mount Holly Fire District denied our request for emails. Our complaint to the Government Records Council [GRC] has been acknowledged the by GRC Executive Director Frank Caruso.

Readers should know that a prior request for emails was granted by the District when Jason Carty ran it, but the current request was reviewed by Acting Director Nicole Saucier, who deemed it “vague”. This despite the fact that we asked for all emails from named individuals and within a specific limited time frame. We believe it is highly likely we will prevail if the complaint is not settled in mediation.

The only area of uncertainty is whether incoming Director Jules Thiessen will reverse Ms. Saucier’s disputed decision. If he doesn’t, the Fire District Solicitor Michael Watson will have to prepare a defense for the District before the GRC, which will distract him and others from important business. This despite the likelihood that they will lose and give up the records anyway.