Eye On Modesto

MID Violates Brown Act and Public Records Act in the Same Week

By Emerson Drake

During the Modesto Irrigation District Board Meeting on July 24,2012,  Board President Tom Van Groningen refused to allow the public to speak in response to several agendized items.  This is a direct violation and should not be allowed but this Board President likes making up rules as he goes along.

Just a point of reference, but Bee reporter John Holland was sitting just a few rows away from me, but somehow neglected to report this Brown Act Violation in his story about the meeting.

The Public Records Act limits the time a public agency has to respond to inquiries and since no emergency delay has been requested, by the time MID responds they will be in violation.  MID has delayed many Public Records Act requests, and this is just another example.

 

To: Emerson Drake Via email only

Re: California Public Records Act Request

Dear Mr. Drake:

On July 16, 2012 Modesto Irrigation District received your Public Records Request via

email, requesting  copies of any contracts regarding George Petrulakis or his law firm and

copies of any pay outs to him or his firm.

In accordance with Government Code section 6253, MID will comply with your request

to the extent that the writings you have requested are not privileged or otherwise exempt from

production under the California Public Records Act, or other applicable law.

We are currently gathering the information and will notify you when the information is

ready.

Should you have any questions regarding this matter, please do not hesitate to contact this

office at (209) 526-7388.

Sincerely,

Tim O’Laughlin

General Counsel

Copy: Allen Short

Pat