Are votes for sale in Carmel? Is this Quid pro quo?
Councilor says developer who has business in front of the city is withholding comments till a decision has been made on his parking garage. The garage did pass and there was a $1,000 donation by the developer later that year. Is this quid pro quo?
Transparency? Count on obfuscation in Carmel.
The cities response is to either do a data dump of 100’s of pages of non-pertinent material or they refuse to respond because the request is not explicit enough.
Then they hang their hat on a letter that actually chastised Carmel’s legal response. It was based on requests from WRTV in which they were denied documents. That document is at the bottom of this post.
This is a citizen trying to gather information on potentially illegal acts between the Brainard Administration and a local developer. Clearly they do not wish to answer at this time. Eric brought this to the Police with all paperwork in spring of 2018 and the police found it humorous initially and when he insisted they became demeaning and dismissive.
Note: Email thread shows last received as first, if it seems unclear please read from the bottom up.
From: Eric Morris <>
Sent: Tuesday, March 26, 2019 11:58:33 AM
To: Oberlander, Jon A; Brainard, James C
Cc: Haney, Douglas C; Livingston, Courtney
Subject: Re: Supplemental Response
It’s funny how your boss’ boss was bragging about how transparent his administration is last week. Sure, I will re-fill out the form and apparently comply with a newer standard (Doug, I liked it better when you gave me more than what I had requested, including, holy of holies, emails), but Jon, at least know why many of us are cynical about government, and especially the City of Carmel’s. I guess you should feel pride in your precision.
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From: Oberlander, Jon A <joberlander@carmel.in.gov>
Sent: Tuesday, March 26, 2019 11:30 AM
To: ‘Eric Morris’
Cc: Haney, Douglas C; Livingston, Courtney
Subject: RE: Supplemental Response
Mr. Morris,
The City has provided you with the records it has identified as being responsive to your request. If you are now requesting emails, then per Indiana law, and consistent with recent opinions of Indiana’s Public Access Counselor, you will need to provide the City, on a City public records request form, with reasonable and particularized search parameters for the emails you are seeking. Such parameters normally include a reasonable date range, the names of senders and recipients, and keyword search terms. Please let me know if you have any other questions regarding this matter.
Thank you,
Jon Oberlander
Assistant Corporation Counsel
City of Carmel
One Civic Square
Carmel, IN 46032
Phone: 317-571-2472
Fax: 317-571-2484
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This transmission (including any attachments) may contain information which is confidential, attorney work-product and/or subject to the attorney-client privilege, and is intended solely for the recipient(s) named above. If you are not a named recipient, any interception, copying, distribution, disclosure or use of this transmission or any information contained in it is strictly prohibited, and may be subject to criminal and civil penalties. If you have received this transmission in error, please immediately call us at (317) 571-2472, delete the transmission from all forms of electronic or other storage, and destroy all hard copies. DO NOT forward this transmission. Thank You.
From: Eric Morris
Sent: Thursday, March 21, 2019 8:21 AM
To: Livingston, Courtney; Haney, Douglas C; Oberlander, Jon A
Subject: Re: Supplemental Response
**** This is an EXTERNAL email. Please exercise caution and Do Not open attachments or click links from unknown senders or unexpected email. ****
Checking on my question the other day. See below please. Eric
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From: Eric Morris <>
Sent: Tuesday, March 19, 2019 9:38 AM
To: Livingston, Courtney
Subject: Re: Supplemental Response
Courtney,
How is that possible? At the least, the email I referenced to Chief Barlow, Bruce Kimball and the Mayor would constitute a record.
Sincerely,
Eric
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From: Livingston, Courtney <clivingston@carmel.in.gov>
Sent: Tuesday, March 19, 2019 9:23 AM
To: ‘Eric Morris’
Subject: Supplemental Response
Dear Mr. Morris,
Attached is Carmel Assistant Corporation Counsel Jon Oberlander’s supplemental response to your records request. Please address all future correspondence regarding this request directly to our office.
Best regards,
Courtney Livingston
City of Carmel
Department of Law
One Civic Square
Carmel, IN 46032
Phone: 317-571-2473
Fax: 317-571-2776
E-Mail: clivingston@carmel.in.gov
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This transmission (including any attachments) may contain information which is confidential, attorney work-product and/or subject to the attorney-client privilege, and is intended solely for the recipient(s) named above. If you are not a named recipient, any interception, copying, distribution, disclosure or use of this transmission or any information contained in it is strictly prohibited, and may be subject to criminal and civil penalties. If you have received this transmission in error, please immediately call us at (317) 571-2472, delete the transmission from all forms of electronic or other storage, and destroy all hard copies. DO NOT forward this transmission. Thank You.
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To read enlarge to 200% and center text in box by grasping and moving.
Z Paris Lewbell denial and chastising of Carmel City ATtorney for withholding info
