OCCDA Dispatch Records for Serenity Point Recovery (Scientology Drug Rehab)
| Submitted | Nov. 23, 2015 |
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Communications
From: R. M. Seibert
To Whom It May Concern:
Pursuant to Michigan's Freedom of Information Act ("FOIA"), I hereby request the following records:
A detailed report listing of all police, fire and EMS dispatch records generated since August 15, 2012 pertaining to any events that occurred at the Scientology-based drug rehabilitation located at 15140 16th Ave, Marne, MI 49435. This facility is currently registered with the state as "Serenity Point Recovery, Inc." but has also been known to operate under the business name "Grand Rapids Rehab."
I also request that, if appropriate, fees be waived as I believe this request is in the public interest due to the numerous complaints and lawsuits filed against this controversial franchise of drug and alcohol treatment centers in other areas of the state. Disclosure of the records I am seeking will greatly aid the public's understanding of what is happening at this non-profit organization, and how public service agencies operate when dealing with such a facility. For more information, please see:
http://bit.ly/1M11DCU
http://exm.nr/1cGywtG
http://bit.ly/1NF4DYo
http://bit.ly/1IFXo13
The requested documents will be made available to the general public, and this request is not being made for commercial purposes.
In the event that fees cannot be waived, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not.
Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 5 business days, as the statute requires.
Sincerely,
Ms. R. M. Seibert
From: Bonnie Postma
From: R. M. Seibert
Dear Ms. Bonnie Postma;
Thank you so very much for your extremely helpful response (dated Nov. 25, 2015) to my FOIA request. But I am confused on the estimated costs you provided. Your letter states "Of the 67 Dispatch Records available, 36 have passed the retention period and are no longer available leaving 31 records of recorded information."
Then the estimate given is based on 67 records instead of 31 records.
At your convenience, can you please confirm that is a correct calculation?
With gratitude and best regards,
Ms. R. M. Seibert
From: Bonnie Postma
Good Morning,
My apologies for not being more specific. I have 67 paper records. Ottawa County Central Dispatch records all radio and telephone conversations. However, due to the volume of calls we retain the recording for only 90 days. Once that point is reached the computer automatically purges the recording. The paper records can be recalled any time.
Of the 67 paper records, the recordings for the oldest 36 have passed the retention period and have been purged. If you want to hear the recorded conversations, there are 31 that have not yet been purged and are available.
If you want all of the information I have, you will receive 67 printed reports and 31 compact discs, one for each of the available recordings that have not been purged.
If I can be of further assistance please contact me.
Respectfully,
Bonnie Postma
Records Supervisor/FOIA Officer
Ottawa County Central Dispatch
12101 Stanton Street
West Olive, MI 49460
-
~WRD001
From: R. M. Seibert
Dear Ms. Postma;
Thank you for the clarification on the what is included in the estimate for fulfilling my FOIA request dated Nov. 23, 2015. I am only interested in receiving the 67 paper records, and there is no need to process the available recordings. At your convenience, can you please confirm the cost for just those records?
With gratitude,
Ms. R. M. Seibert
From: Bonnie Postma
Dear Ms Seibert,
Below is an estimate of the cost for the material.
67 Dispatch Records est. 4 pages per record
268 pages @ .10 per page 26.80
67 Dispatch Records time to search est. 15 minutes per record
16.75 hours @ $33.00 per hour 552.75
67 Dispatch Records document inspection and redaction est. 15 minutes per record
16.75 hours @ $33.00 per hour 552.75
$1132.30
As noted, this is an estimate of the total cost for 67 printed records. Upon receipt of a 50% deposit ($566.15) I will begin compiling the records. As you have opted not to obtain the recordings the estimated time to complete your request should be shortened to 2-4 weeks.
Please advise if this is acceptable and contact me if I can be of further service.
Respectfully,
Bonnie Postma
Records Supervisor/FOIA Officer
Ottawa County Central Dispatch
12101 Stanton Street
West Olive, Michigan 49460
-
~WRD042
From: R. M. Seibert
Dear Ms. Postma;
Thank you for your time, patience and the revised estimate for fulfilling my FOIA request. Please consider this message as confirmation that the cost is acceptable, and allow me a few weeks to raise the money required via an online crowd funding campaign. I will send an email confirmation once the check for the deposit is sent.
With gratitude,
Ms. R. M. Seibert
From: R. M. Seibert
Hi,
Enclosed is the $600 deposit to begin processing this request. Thank you for your help, and let me know if there's anything else needed.
From: Bonnie Postma
Good Afternoon,
I’m writing to tell you I have received a check from MUCKROCK for $600.00 and I will begin processing your request tomorrow, January 7, 2016. I will keep you posted as to the progress.
Respectfully
Bonnie Postma
Records Supervisor/FOIA Officer
Ottawa County Central Dispatch
12101 Stanton Street
West Olive, MI 49460
-
~WRD000
From: Bonnie Postma
Good Morning, Ms Seibert,
I am writing to let you know that I am nearing completion for your Freedom of Information Act request. The cost to you should be considerably less than I had estimated as there wasn’t as much time involved as I had anticipated. One issue that could drive up the cost is the postage. I estimate there will be 150 pages of print. This is approximately 2 pounds of paper. Would it be acceptable to you if I scan the paper and download it to a compact disc?
Respectfully,
Bonnie Postma
Records Supervisor/FOIA Officer
Ottawa County Central Dispatch
12101 Stanton Street
West Olive, MI 49460
-
~WRD000
From: R. M. Seibert
Dear Ms. Postma;
Thank you so much for your time and effort. I realize this records request was a sizable chore to process and you have my sympathy.
I have dealt with similar requests for the same information from other county dispatch agencies where the initial estimate has always exceeded the actual costs by a fair amount due the volume of calls these rehabs tend to generate. So I was expecting the fees would be at least slightly lower once it was completed. But nonetheless, I really appreciate the courtesy of your advance notice that I had correctly anticipated a similar reduction in actual costs with your agency.
Please do scan the pages to compact disc. Since I'm using the online services provided by MuckRock News for this research project, all of my disclosures end up in digital format eventually so CDs are always preferred over paper when that option is available.
With gratitude,
Ms. R. M. Seibert
From: Bonnie Postma
One more question, do you want me to email the information to this email address?
Bonnie
-
~WRD000
From: R. M. Seibert
Yes, if the scanned pages can be sent via email, that would be wonderful. And feel free to spread them across multiple messages if need be.
Thanks again,
Ms. R. M. Seibert
From: Bonnie Postma
Good Afternoon,
Attached is the final invoice as well as additional paperwork. I apologize for seriously over estimating the costs involved in this request. I hope you enjoy the day.
Respectfully,
Bonnie Postma
Records Supervisor/FOIA Officer
Ottawa County Central Dispatch
12101 Stanton Street
West Olive, MI 49460
From: Bonnie Postma
From: Bonnie Postma
From: Bonnie Postma
From: Bonnie Postma
From: Bonnie Postma
From: Bonnie Postma
From: MuckRock
To Whom It May Concern:
Please find enclosed a check for $48.95 to satisfy the fee associated with the attached public records request.
Thank you.