MEMORANDUM
From: Michael J. Merritt, USN Retired/Writer
PO BOX 187
Newton, IA 50208
cipher.hunter@cipherphoenix.com
To: Doug Cupples, Jasper County Chairman
101 1st Street N Room 203
Newton, IA 50208
641-792-7016
Denny Carpenter, Jasper County Vice-Chairman
101 1st Street N Room 203
Newton, IA 50208
641-792-7016
Brandon Talsma, Jasper County Board Member
101 1st Street N Room 203
Newton, IA 50208
641-792-7016
Scott Nicholson, Jasper County Attorney
114 West 3rd Street N
Newton, IA 50208
641-792-5010
Info: Kim Reynolds, Governor of the State of Iowa
State Capitol 1007 East Grand Ave.
Des Moines, IA 50319
(515)-281-5211
Iowa Supreme Court Attorney Disciplinary Board
Iowa Judicial Branch Building
1111 East Court Avenue
Des Moines, Iowa 50319
Iowa Public Information Board
Wallace Building, Third Floor
502 East 9th Street
Des Moines, IA 50319
Office of the Attorney General of Iowa
Hoover State Office Building
1305 E. Walnut Street
Des Moines, IA 50319
Phone: 515-281-5164
Office of Auditor of State
Room 111
State Capitol Building
Des Moines, Iowa 50319
Office of Ombudsman
Ola Babcock Miller Building
1112 East Grand
Des Moines, Iowa 50319
Meredith Levin
University of San Diego School of Law
5998 Alcala Park Barcelona 305
San Diego, CA 92110
(619)-260-4600
Subj: FREEDOM OF INFORMATION STATUS REQUEST TO JASPER COUNTY, IA – #001
Ref: 1. The Freedom of Information Act, 5 U.S.C. § 552
2. Iowa Open Records Act – Iowa Code Chapter 22
3. Howard v. Des Moines Register & Tribune Co. 283 N.W.2d 289 (1979)
4. City of Dubuque v. Telegraph Herald, Inc., 297 N.W.2d 523, 526 (Iowa 1980)
5. Iowa Civil Rights Comm’n v. City of Des Moines, 313 N.W.2d 491, 495 (Iowa 1981)
6. US WEST v. Consumer Advocate 498 N.W.2d 711 (1993)
7. Rathmann v. Board of Directors, 580 N.W.2d 773 (Iowa 1998)
8. Gabrilson v. Flynn, 554 N.W.2d 267, 271 (Iowa 1996)
9. Freedom of Information Request – Use of City of Newton, Iowa Information System Assets #001, 27 NOV 2021
10. Freedom of Information Request – City of Newton – State of Iowa v Lambertus, Zachery Milo Case: 05501 SMAC015739 (JASPER) – #002, 03 DEC 2021
11. City of Newton Iowa Open Records Response, 16 DEC 2021
12. Freedom of Information Request – Jasper County Iowa, 20 DEC 2021
13. Electronic Service to Jasper County, IA Leadership
1. Introduction
On Thursday, December 23, 2021, at 12:10 PM, reference (12) was electronically served to the following Jasper County, IA leadership personnel as shown in reference (13):
Doug Cupples, Jasper County Chairman
101 1st Street N Room 203
Newton, IA 50208
641-792-7016
Denny Carpenter, Jasper County Vice-Chairman
101 1st Street N Room 203
Newton, IA 50208
641-792-7016
Brandon Talsma, Jasper County Board Member
101 1st Street N Room 203
Newton, IA 50208
641-792-7016
Scott Nicholson, Jasper County Attorney
114 West 3rd Street N
Newton, IA 50208
641-792-5010
Iowa Code Chapter 22.4(2) Public Records Request stipulates that transmission of an Iowa Open Records Request via electronic means is authorized.
Iowa Code Chapter 22.4 Public Records Request
(2) “In writing, by telephone, or by electronic means. The lawful custodian of the records shall post information for making such requests in a manner reasonably calculated to apprise the public of that information.”
As of 14 FEB 2022, the originator of this correspondence has not received an update or evidence that Jasper County, IA has satisfactorily responded or addressed the request made in reference (12) in accordance with Iowa Code Chapter 22.
2. Background
The Iowa Supreme Court communicates in Gabrilson v. Flynn, 554 N.W.2d 267, 271 (Iowa 1996): “Iowa’s open records law, as codified in chapter 22 of the Code, ensures that “every person shall have the right to examine and copy public records and to publish or otherwise disseminate public records or the information contained therein.” Iowa Code § 22.2(1) (1995). We have found the purpose of this statute to be “to open the doors of government to public scrutiny to prevent government from secreting its decision-making activities from the public, on whose behalf it is its duty to act.” Iowa Civil Rights Comm’n v. City of Des Moines, 313 N.W.2d 491, 495 (Iowa 1981). Similarly, chapter 22 “establishe[s] a liberal policy of access from which departures are to be made only under discrete circumstances.” City of Dubuque v. Telegraph Herald, Inc., 297 N.W.2d 523, 526 (Iowa 1980). Accordingly, there is a presumption of openness and disclosure under this chapter. Id. at 527.”
The Iowa Supreme Court communicates in US West v. Consumer Advocate 498 N.W.2d 711 (1993): “The purpose of chapter 22 is to remedy unnecessary secrecy in conducting the public’s business. City of Dubuque v. Telegraph Herald, Inc., 297 N.W.2d 523, 527 (Iowa 1980).”
The Iowa Supreme Court communicates in Rathmann v. Board of Directors, 580 N.W.2d 773 (Iowa 1998): “The purpose of the statute is “to open the doors of government to public scrutiny to prevent government from secreting its decision-making activities from the public, on whose behalf it is its duty to act.” Iowa Civil Rights Comm’n v. City of Des Moines, 313 N.W.2d 491, 495 (Iowa 1981). There is a presumption of disclosure of records under the statute and exceptions to this rule are to be narrowly construed. Northeast Council, 513 N.W.2d at 759. The right of persons to view public records is to be interpreted liberally to provide broad public access to public records. Howard v. Des Moines Register & Tribune Co., 283 N.W.2d 289, 299 (Iowa 1979).”
3. Conclusion
Jasper County, IA is directed to provide a response communicating a status update or evidence of its adherence to Iowa Code Chapter 22 regarding the information requested in reference (12) by 28 FEB 2022.
Respectfully,
Michael J. Merritt, USN Retired/Writer
Founder: cipherphoenix.com
Creative Writer/Musician
Information Warfare Specialist
Information Systems Manager
PO BOX 187
Newton, IA 50208
cipher.hunter@cipherphoenix.com
