Public Records Requests Take 2

April 6, 2009

Mike Mandere

Service Center Office

Whitman County Farm Service Agency

805 S Vista Point Dr

Colfax, WA 99111-9565

Dear Mr. Mandere,

Pursuant to the state open records law, Wash. Rev. Code Ann. secs. 42.56.001 to 42.56.902, I write to request access to and a copy of the list of those farms within Whitman County that received subsidies from the government in 2008, 2007 and 2006. This should include the amount of money given to the farm as well as the income the farms claimed. 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 $10. If the cost would be greater than this amount, please notify me. Please provide a receipt indicating the charges for each document.

As provided by the open records law, I would request your response within five (5) 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 a fine of up to $100 for each day that I am denied access. Litigation costs, including reasonable attorney fees, may also be awarded.

Thank you for your assistance.

Sincerely,


Briana J Alzola
1555 NE Merman Dr.
Apt A11B
Pullman, WA 99163

Washington State University

503-724-8002

Hi Briana –

I have forwarded your FOIA request on to our FOIA officer for processing. You will be hearing from somebody on your request. If you have any questions let me know.

Thanks,

Mike

Mike,

Thank you so much. I was struggling to find the officer's contact information. I appreciate the help,

Briana Alzola

Briana –

I would be the appropriate point of contact for an initial request. I then take it to the FOIA processing folks for evaluation and/or processing.

Mike

Control number 53-075-2009-000001

Briana J Alzola
1555 NE Merman Dr.
Apt A11B
Pullman, WA 99163

Dear Ms. Briana J Alzola

This is in response to your Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request (copy attached) dated April 8, 2009 to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Farm Service Agency (FSA). FSA received a copy of your request on April 9, 2009 and assigned it control number 53-075-2009-000001. Please reference this number in any future communication with our office about your request.

We have determined that the records you are seeking may be maintained in another FSA office: MSD, Kansas City FOIA Office

Therefore, we are forwarding your request to this office for direct response.

You may expect to hear from this office shortly. If you do not, you may write or call:

MSD, Kansas City FOIA Office

Barbara Clark

9420 Troost – Mail Stop 8368

Kansas City, MO 64131-3055

(816) 926-6371

RA.mokansasc2.fsakcfoia@one.usda.gov

If you have any questions about any of the issues discussed in this letter, you may contact Mike Mandere at 509-397-4301 (phone), by email at mike.mandere@wa.usda.gov or by mail at:

Michael T. Mandere

County Executive Director

Whitman County Farm Service Agency, USDA

805 Vista Point Drive

Colfax, WA 99111

Sincerely,

Michael T. Mandere

County Executive Director

USDA Whitman County Farm Service Agency