Editor’s Note: Sunshine Request makes no claim as to the veracity of any statements or information contained in any of the requests, or public records, we receive.
Other (indicate in message) Submitted: April 29, 2025 | Updated: June 25, 2025
(April 2025) Request for Jackson County, NC Government: Commissioner and County Manager communications sent or received from 10/16/2024 – 04/17/2025.
Good afternoon PIO, Kevin, Angie, (Records Officer / Custodian(s) of these Records),
Please reply promptly to the following public records request, which I’m making in accordance with NC Public Records Law. https://www.ncleg.net/enactedlegislation/statutes/html/bychapter/chapter_132.html
Please provide all communications 10/16/2024 through 04/17/2025 sent To or sent From any Jackson County, NC Commissioner and County Manager Kevin King that relate in any way to: The removal of plaques or any decisions, discussions, opinions, or constituent communication concerning the Confederate statue in Sylva, NC.
These communications should include, but are not limited to: Emails, Text messages, Instant messages, Direct messages on any social media platforms (e.g., Facebook Messenger, Twitter/X DMs, Instagram DMs), WhatsApp/Signal/Other messaging platforms, and Voicemails.
This request applies to all communications, regardless of platform or format, so long as they relate to the above topic and were made or received in connection with the transaction of public business. Therefore, the responsive records should include any communications made using county-issued or personal devices or accounts. This includes messages sent via mobile apps, personal email accounts, or social media messaging tools.
As affirmed in guidance from the UNC School of Government and the NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, public records laws apply to the content of a message — not just the platform or device used. As such, personal devices, accounts, and social media channels are subject to public records requirements when they are used to conduct public business.
Ideally, I’d prefer if you provide the responsive records in electronic format (e.g., PDF, email, or other digital file transfer) if available.
** I’m simply requesting electronic copies of electronic records, if they exist. I’m NOT asking for the opportunity to come in person to "inspect", nor to obtain a printed copy of, these electronic records. I’m requesting explicitly that any responsive info be provided to me via the electronic medium / electronic format (in which the copy of these records already exist). If you are unable to fulfill any or all parts of this request, or, if any records are withheld or redacted – please cite the specific statutory exemption justifying such withholding, per N.C. Gen. Stat. § 132-6(c).**
————————————
Please note that by submitting this request, I’m NOT agreeing to pay any potential fees or associated costs related to my request. If it isn’t possible to process the request without incurring fees, then please let me know the itemized potential cost and clear explanations of those charges upfront, and DO NOT proceed until I respond.
By Law I’m not required to provide a name or address to associate with a public records request. However, in order to move things along I’d like to clarify that this request is being made by:
Sunshine Request
PO Box 17391
Asheville, NC 28816
The request has been sent solely by me and my email address [email protected] . If anyone other than that email address contacts you to pursue a similar request, it did not come from me. Please do not commingle or treat that as an alteration or cancellation of my request – I intend to continue to pursue my request.
Thank you for your assistance!
** Sunshine Request (www.sunshinerequest.com) makes no claim as to the veracity of any statements or information contained in any of the requests, or public records, we receive.
Status: Clarification Provided
Activity:
-
June 25, 2025 3:37 pm
1 day ago
from: Kevin King – County Manager <[email protected]>
to: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
date: Jun 25, 2025, 3:37 PM
subject: Re: Public records request. (April 2025) Request for Jackson County, NC Government: Commissioner and County Manager communications sent or received from 10/16/2024 – 04/17/2025.John,
How do we respond?
Thanks
Kevin
Sent from my iPhone
E-mail correspondence to and from this address may be subject to the North Carolina Public Records Law and may be disclosed to third parties by an authorized county official.
Status: -
June 25, 2025 2:05 pm
1 day ago
from: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
to: [email protected]
cc: “John L. Kubis” <[email protected]>, Kevin King – County Manager <[email protected]>, Public Records Request <[email protected]>,
[email protected], Kerri Tucker – Administration <[email protected]>
date: Jun 25, 2025, 2:05 PM
subject: Re: Public records request. (April 2025) Request for Jackson County, NC Government: Commissioner and County Manager communications sent or received from 10/16/2024 – 04/17/2025.Good afternoon,
Based on yesterday’s results of my most recent follow-up records request, it’s clear that Kevin did not perform an appropriate search for the specific records referenced in the original request I submitted on April 29th.
As a result, I want to repeat my original request from April, and ask that you perform a search for the appropriate records that were requested, without delay. If the County refuses to produce, or to perform an appropriate search for, these records in accordance with NC Law – please clearly state this, and please explicitly cite where the reason for the denial of my request is justified by Law.
I want to highlight again the court case referenced in item #6 of the following article, posted on the NC Press Association website. In this instance: “The trial court held that an unjustified one-month delay in production of records was tantamount to a denial”. http://www.ncpress.
com/stories/a-bakers-dozen- for-2022nc-public-records-law, 2390 If I do not hear back within 1 week, I will mark this request as having been Denied by your organization.
Thank you.
——————–
from: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
to: Public Records Request <[email protected]>
cc: [email protected], j[email protected], [email protected]
date: Apr 29, 2025, 4:35 PM
subject: Public records request. (April 2025) Request for Jackson County, NC Government: Commissioner and County Manager communications sent or received from 10/16/2024 – 04/17/2025.
Good afternoon PIO, Kevin, Angie, (Records Officer / Custodian(s) of these Records),
Please reply promptly to the following public records request, which I’m making in accordance with NC Public Records Law. https://www.ncleg.net/
enactedlegislation/statutes/ html/bychapter/chapter_132. html Please provide all communications 10/16/2024 through 04/17/2025 sent To or sent From any Jackson County, NC Commissioner and County Manager Kevin King that relate in any way to: The removal of plaques or any decisions, discussions, opinions, or constituent communication concerning the Confederate statue in Sylva, NC.
These communications should include, but are not limited to: Emails, Text messages, Instant messages, Direct messages on any social media platforms (e.g., Facebook Messenger, Twitter/X DMs, Instagram DMs), WhatsApp/Signal/Other messaging platforms, and Voicemails.
This request applies to all communications, regardless of platform or format, so long as they relate to the above topic and were made or received in connection with the transaction of public business. Therefore, the responsive records should include any communications made using county-issued or personal devices or accounts. This includes messages sent via mobile apps, personal email accounts, or social media messaging tools.
As affirmed in guidance from the UNC School of Government and the NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, public records laws apply to the content of a message — not just the platform or device used. As such, personal devices, accounts, and social media channels are subject to public records requirements when they are used to conduct public business.
Ideally, I’d prefer if you provide the responsive records in electronic format (e.g., PDF, email, or other digital file transfer) if available.
** I’m simply requesting electronic copies of electronic records, if they exist. I’m NOT asking for the opportunity to come in person to “inspect”, nor to obtain a printed copy of, these electronic records. I’m requesting explicitly that any responsive info be provided to me via the electronic medium / electronic format (in which the copy of these records already exist). If you are unable to fulfill any or all parts of this request, or, if any records are withheld or redacted – please cite the specific statutory exemption justifying such withholding, per N.C. Gen. Stat. § 132-6(c).**
————————————
Please note that by submitting this request, I’m NOT agreeing to pay any potential fees or associated costs related to my request. If it isn’t possible to process the request without incurring fees, then please let me know the itemized potential cost and clear explanations of those charges upfront, and DO NOT proceed until I respond.
By Law I’m not required to provide a name or address to associate with a public records request. However, in order to move things along I’d like to clarify that this request is being made by:
Sunshine Request
PO Box 17391
Asheville, NC 28816
The request has been sent solely by me and my email address records@
sunshinerequest.com . If anyone other than that email address contacts you to pursue a similar request, it did not come from me. Please do not commingle or treat that as an alteration or cancellation of my request – I intend to continue to pursue my request. Thank you for your assistance!
** Sunshine Request (www.sunshinerequest.com) makes no claim as to the veracity of any statements or information contained in any of the requests, or public records, we receive.
Status: Clarification Provided -
June 24, 2025 1:53 pm
2 days ago
from: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
to: [email protected]
cc: “John L. Kubis” <[email protected]>, Kevin King – County Manager <[email protected]>, Public Records Request <[email protected]>
date: Jun 24, 2025, 1:53 PM
subject: Re: Public records request. (April 2025) Request for Jackson County, NC Government: Commissioner and County Manager communications sent or received from 10/16/2024 – 04/17/2025.Hi Angie,
Thank you for confirming what I already suspected — that Kevin did not ask Commissioners either via email or text, to provide or search for the records I lawfully requested from the County on April 29.
It is my understanding now that there are no records showing Kevin ever performed a search for the exact records I requested on April 29th @ 4:35pm. If you have evidence otherwise, feel free to send it to me.
I will consider my next steps from here.
Thank you.
~ The Sunshine Request Team
Status: Clarification Provided -
June 24, 2025 1:09 pm
2 days ago
from: [email protected]
to: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>, “John L. Kubis” <[email protected]>
cc: Kevin King – County Manager <[email protected]>, Public Records Request <[email protected]>
date: Jun 24, 2025, 1:09 PM
subject: RE: Public records request. (April 2025) Request for Jackson County, NC Government: Commissioner and County Manager communications sent or received from 10/16/2024 – 04/17/2025.Sunshine Team,
We have conducted a search of the records and found that on the specific dates you requested, there were no communications from Kevin King to any or all the County Commissioners by using Emails, Text Messages, Instant Messages, Direct Messages on any social media platforms (e.g., Facebook Messenger, Twitter/X DMs, Instagram DMs), WhatsApp/Signal/Other messaging platforms and voicemails.
Sincerely,
Angie Winchester, NCCCC
Clerk to the Board
Jackson County
828-631-2213
E-mail correspondence to and from this address may be subject to the North Carolina Public Records Law and may be disclosed to third parties by an authorized county official.
Status: Response Received from Government -
June 17, 2025 5:23 pm
1 week ago
from: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
to: “John L. Kubis” <[email protected]>
cc: Kevin King – County Manager <[email protected]>, Public Records Request <[email protected]>, [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], Kerri Tucker – Administration <[email protected]>
date: Jun 17, 2025, 5:23 PM
subject: Re: Public records request. (April 2025) Request for Jackson County, NC Government: Commissioner and County Manager communications sent or received from 10/16/2024 – 04/17/2025.Good afternoon John, Kevin, Kerri, Records Officer, Angie, Mark,
The County has not given any indication that a search for the responsive records I requested was actually conducted.
In order to verify whether a search was ever performed with the individuals requested to produce specific records in their possession, I would now like to expand my public records request to include the following:
Please provide all emails and text messages sent from Kevin King to any or all County Commissioners on April 29, April 30, May 07, May 12, May 30, 2025. Specifically — all communications in which Kevin asked any individual to turn over or search for “Emails, Text messages, Instant messages, Direct messages on any social media platforms (e.g., Facebook Messenger, Twitter/X DMs, Instagram DMs), WhatsApp/Signal/Other messaging platforms, and Voicemails” in response to a public records request that was submitted to the County on April 29.
The request has been sent solely by me and my email address records@
sunshinerequest.com . If anyone other than that email address contacts you to pursue a similar request, it did not come from me. Please do not commingle or treat that as an alteration or cancellation of my request – I intend to continue to pursue my request. Under NC Public Records Law, the County is required to “promptly” process all public records requests. Essentially, this means that if you intentionally delay the fulfillment of a request by allowing it to “sit” until staff has availability to address it, or feels like answering my emails, then this could be considered a denial of a request. With this in mind, I want to highlight again the court case referenced in item #6 of the following article, posted on the NC Press Association website. In this instance: “The trial court held that an unjustified one-month delay in production of records was tantamount to a denial”. http://www.ncpress.
com/stories/a-bakers-dozen- for-2022nc-public-records-law, 2390 I will follow up again in 1 week, if I do not hear anything else before then.
Thank you for your assistance.
~ The Sunshine Request Team
Status: Sent to Government -
June 11, 2025 3:41 pm
2 weeks ago
from: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
to: “John L. Kubis” <[email protected]>
cc: Kevin King – County Manager <[email protected]>
date: Jun 11, 2025, 3:41 PM
subject: Re: Public records request. (April 2025) Request for Jackson County, NC Government: Commissioner and County Manager communications sent or received from 10/16/2024 – 04/17/2025.Hi John and Kevin,
Please respond to the previous message sent to you both on May 30, 5:58pm.
Thank you.
~ The Sunshine Request Team
Status: Follow up -
May 30, 2025 5:58 pm
3 weeks ago
from: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
to: “John L. Kubis” <[email protected]>
cc: Kevin King – County Manager <[email protected]>
date: May 30, 2025, 5:58 PM
subject: Re: Public records request. (April 2025) Request for Jackson County, NC Government: Commissioner and County Manager communications sent or received from 10/16/2024 – 04/17/2025.Good evening John,
Your position is that the County isn’t required to disclose “search methods used”. What I’ve asked is to have a clear answer whether Kevin contacted Commissioners asking them to provide the responsive communications records in April. If necessary, I will submit a new request that will answer the question for me. However, I’d like to give you an opportunity first to proceed to fulfill my request from April 29.
I submitted the following on April 29 at 4:35pm. (relevant portion only, copied):
“Please provide all communications 10/16/2024 through 04/17/2025 sent To or sent From any Jackson County, NC Commissioner and County Manager Kevin King that relate in any way to: The removal of plaques or any decisions, discussions, opinions, or constituent communication concerning the Confederate statue in Sylva, NC.
These communications should include, but are not limited to: Emails, Text messages, Instant messages, Direct messages on any social media platforms (e.g., Facebook Messenger, Twitter/X DMs, Instagram DMs), WhatsApp/Signal/Other messaging platforms, and Voicemails.
This request applies to all communications, regardless of platform or format, so long as they relate to the above topic and were made or received in connection with the transaction of public business. Therefore, the responsive records should include any communications made using county-issued or personal devices or accounts. This includes messages sent via mobile apps, personal email accounts, or social media messaging tools.
As affirmed in guidance from the UNC School of Government and the NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, public records laws apply to the content of a message — not just the platform or device used. As such, personal devices, accounts, and social media channels are subject to public records requirements when they are used to conduct public business.
Ideally, I’d prefer if you provide the responsive records in electronic format (e.g., PDF, email, or other digital file transfer) if available.”
On April 30 at 8:11am Kevin indicated:
“The County does not have any public records or other communications between commissioners, county staff, the county Sheriff and administration or workers (any county employee, elected official or contractor) regarding the statue from 10/16/2024-04/17/2025. This includes emails, Text messages, Instant messages, Direct messages on any social media platforms (e.g., Facebook Messenger, Twitter/X DMs, Instagram DMs), WhatsApp/Signal/Other messaging platforms, and Voicemails.”
Kevin’s response did not address what I actually requested. As I explained on April 30 at 10:26am – I didn’t ask for records “between commissioners, county staff, the county Sheriff and administration”. I requested all communications “
… 10/16/2024 through 04/17/2025 sent To or sent From any Jackson County, NC Commissioner and County Manager Kevin King that relate in any way to: The removal of plaques or any decisions, discussions, opinions, or constituent communication concerning the Confederate statue in Sylva, NC.” On April 30 at 12:59pm, Kevin indicated the County did not have those records either. It’s surprising that in such a short period of time (2 hrs 33 min) Kevin presumably would have contacted all Commissioners, searched their social media platforms, personal devices, text messages, any voicemails, as well as the emailed communications he does have access to — and determined there were no responsive records.
I followed up again on April 30 and May 07 asking for clarification whether Kevin reached out to Commissioners to ask them to produce those records.
On May 12 at 2:23pm, Keving indicated:
“Constituent opinions, discussions, and communications responsive to your request were expressed during public comment at recent meetings of the Board of Commissioners, which are streamed live and are available for viewing on YouTube under the Jackson County North Carolina Local Government channel. As previously stated, the county has no public records responsive to your request from 10/16/2024 through 04/17/2025.”
That statement addresses one aspect, but not all, of the records I requested. Apart from verbal “discussions” that may or may not have taken place during filmed Commissioner meetings at any point from 10/2024 – 04/2025, the various communications records I’ve requested cannot be obtained simply by watching a meeting.
I look forward to your response.
~ The Sunshine Request Team
Status: Clarification Provided -
May 30, 2025 4:54 pm
3 weeks ago
from: John L. Kubis <[email protected]>
to: “[email protected]” <[email protected]>
cc: Kevin King – County Manager <[email protected]>
date: May 30, 2025, 4:54 PM
subject: Fwd: Public records request. (April 2025) Request for Jackson County, NC Government: Commissioner and County Manager communications sent or received from 10/16/2024 – 04/17/2025.Good afternoon,
The County is in receipt of the below correspondence. Our response remains the same: the county has no public records responsive to your request from 10/16/2024 through 04/17/2025. North Carolina Public Records Law (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 132-1 et seq.) does not require disclosure of the search methods used. However, a document search was conducted internally for public records during the dates requested and no public records were found.
As previously stated, constituent opinions, discussions, and communications responsive to your request were expressed during public comment at recent meetings of the Board of Commissioners, which are streamed live and are available for viewing on YouTube under the Jackson County North Carolina Local Government channel.
John Kubis | Partner
P.O. Box 19207 Raleigh, NC 27619‑9207
117 Cherry Street N., Asheville, NC 28801
Direct: 919.719.8394 Office: 828.254.4515
Fax: 919.873.1814
tc | Teague
Campbell
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This transmission may contain information which is privileged, confidential, and protected by the attorney-client or attorney work product privileges. If you are not the addressee, note that any disclosure, copying, distribution, or use of the contents of this message is prohibited. If you have received this transmission in error, please destroy it and notify the sender immediately.
Status: Response Received from Government -
May 30, 2025 10:17 am
4 weeks ago
from: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
to: Kevin King – County Manager <[email protected]>
cc: Public Records Request <[email protected]>, [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], Kerri Tucker – Administration <[email protected]>
date: May 30, 2025, 10:17 AM
subject: Re: Public records request. (April 2025) Request for Jackson County, NC Government: Commissioner and County Manager communications sent or received from 10/16/2024 – 04/17/2025.Good morning,
This is my third and final attempt to follow up on my previous emails (starting May 12 @ 3:13pm). I have not received any response to that message, nor to my follow up about this on May 23 @ 3:15pm.
As stated previously – I do not consider my public records request to be satisfied by the County at this point. I’ve asked several times that someone provide clarification on how Kevin performed the initial search for the records I requested back on April 29.
Under NC Public Records Law, the County is required to “promptly” process all public records requests. Essentially, this means that if you intentionally delay the fulfillment of a request by allowing it to “sit” until staff has availability to address it, or feels like answering my emails, then this could be considered a denial of a request. With this in mind, I want to highlight the court case referenced in item #6 of the following article, posted on the NC Press Association website. In this instance: “The trial court held that an unjustified one-month delay in production of records was tantamount to a denial”. http://www.ncpress.com/
stories/a-bakers-dozen-for- 2022nc-public-records-law,2390 Having made reasonable attempts to follow up, and having received no response since May 12 — if I do not hear back by June 11th with the explanations I’ve requested, I will mark this request as having been “Denied” by your organization. Additionally, at that point I would also submit a new public records request for records showing whether or not Kevin ever performed a search on April 30th for all of the records I requested, or asked commissioners to provide them.
~ The Sunshine Request Team
Status: Follow up -
May 23, 2025 3:15 pm
1 month ago
from: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
to: Kevin King – County Manager <[email protected]>
cc: Public Records Request <[email protected]>, [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], Kerri Tucker – Administration <[email protected]>
date: May 23, 2025, 3:15 PM
subject: Re: Public records request. (April 2025) Request for Jackson County, NC Government: Commissioner and County Manager communications sent or received from 10/16/2024 – 04/17/2025.Hello PIO, Kevin, Angie, Mark, Kerri,
I’m following up on my previous email (May 12 @ 3:13pm). I have not received a response.
I do not consider my records request to be satisfied / completed by the County at this point.
– Please confirm whether or not commissioners were ever asked to search for and to provide the responsive records.
– Please explain how the initial search was performed by Kevin.
** If you are unwilling or unable to fulfill any / all parts of my request, please specifically cite where the reason for its denial is justified under NC Public Records Law.
I will make one final attempt to follow up with you again in 1 week, if I don’t hear back before then.
~ The Sunshine Request Team
Status: Follow up -
May 12, 2025 3:13 pm
1 month ago
from: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
to: Kevin King – County Manager <[email protected]>
cc: Public Records Request <[email protected]>, [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], Kerri Tucker – Administration <[email protected]>
date: May 12, 2025, 3:13 PM
subject: Re: Public records request. (April 2025) Request for Jackson County, NC Government: Commissioner and County Manager communications sent or received from 10/16/2024 – 04/17/2025.Good afternoon PIO, Kevin, Angie, Mark, Kerri,
I submitted the following public records request to the County on April 29 at 4:35pm:
(April 2025) Request for Jackson County, NC Government: Commissioner and County Manager communications sent or received from 10/16/2024 – 04/17/2025.
Please provide all communications 10/16/2024 through 04/17/2025 sent To or sent From any Jackson County, NC Commissioner and County Manager Kevin King that relate in any way to: The removal of plaques or any decisions, discussions, opinions, or constituent communication concerning the Confederate statue in Sylva, NC.
These communications should include, but are not limited to: Emails, Text messages, Instant messages, Direct messages on any social media platforms (e.g., Facebook Messenger, Twitter/X DMs, Instagram DMs), WhatsApp/Signal/Other messaging platforms, and Voicemails.
This request applies to all communications, regardless of platform or format, so long as they relate to the above topic and were made or received in connection with the transaction of public business. Therefore, the responsive records should include any communications made using county-issued or personal devices or accounts. This includes messages sent via mobile apps, personal email accounts, or social media messaging tools.
As affirmed in guidance from the UNC School of Government and the NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, public records laws apply to the content of a message — not just the platform or device used. As such, personal devices, accounts, and social media channels are subject to public records requirements when they are used to conduct public business.
Ideally, I’d prefer if you provide the responsive records in electronic format (e.g., PDF, email, or other digital file transfer) if available.
———–
On April 30 Kevin King stated the County had no responsive public records during the time period requested. However, given the scope of my request, and the fact it was submitted April 29 at 4:35pm — I was surprised to hear so quickly by April 30 at 8:11am the County has no responsive records. I’ve followed up several times asking Kevin to confirm how he conducted a search for the responsive records from all parties mentioned, in order to determine there were no records. Did he reach out directly to the individuals / custodian(s) of those records, and ask them to be provided?
Today (May 12) Kevin stated that “Constituent opinions, discussions, and communications responsive to your request were expressed during public comment at recent meetings of the Board of Commissioners, which are streamed live and are available for viewing on YouTube under the Jackson County North Carolina Local Government channel. As previously stated, the county has no public records responsive to your request from 10/16/2024 through 04/17/2025.”
I am unsure what to make of that response. I submitted a clear request for public records to be searched and provided to me, under NC Law. I cannot obtain the records I’ve requested simply by watching commissioner meetings.
Angie, Mark, Kerri –
Can you please confirm whether commissioners were ever asked to search for and provide the responsive records? Please clarify how the initial search was performed.
** If you are unwilling or unable to fulfill any / all parts of my request, please specifically cite where the reason for its denial is justified under NC Public Records Law.
I will follow up again in 1 week, if I don’t hear anything else before then.
Thank you.
~ The Sunshine Request Team
Status: Clarification Requested -
May 12, 2025 2:23 pm
1 month ago
from: Kevin King – County Manager <[email protected]>
to: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
date: May 12, 2025, 2:23 PM
subject: RE: Public records request. (April 2025) Request for Jackson County, NC Government: Commissioner and County Manager communications sent or received from 10/16/2024 – 04/17/2025.Sunshine Request,
Constituent opinions, discussions, and communications responsive to your request were expressed during public comment at recent meetings of the Board of Commissioners, which are streamed live and are available for viewing on YouTube under the Jackson County North Carolina Local Government channel. As previously stated, the county has no public records responsive to your request from 10/16/2024 through 04/17/2025.
E-mail correspondence to and from this address may be subject to the North Carolina Public Records Law and may be disclosed to third parties by an authorized county official.
Status: Response Received from Government -
May 7, 2025 2:01 pm
1 month ago
from: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
to: Kevin King – County Manager <[email protected]>
cc: Public Records Request <[email protected]>, [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]
date: May 7, 2025, 2:01 PM
subject: Re: Public records request. (April 2025) Request for Jackson County, NC Government: Commissioner and County Manager communications sent or received from 10/16/2024 – 04/17/2025.Hi Kevin,
Following up on my previous message (April 30th). I have not received a response.
I requested “Emails, Text messages, Instant messages, Direct messages on any social media platforms (e.g., Facebook Messenger, Twitter/X DMs, Instagram DMs), WhatsApp/Signal/Other messaging platforms, and Voicemails” on County-owned, and personal devices / apps (which have also been used to discuss county business) for all Commissioners as well as yourself.
Please specify how you conducted a search for the responsive records from all parties mentioned.
Did you reach out directly to those individuals / custodian(s) of those records? Please confirm whether they were asked to provide those specific responsive records.
Thank you.
~ The Sunshine Request Team
Status: Follow up -
April 30, 2025 1:33 pm
1 month ago
from: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
to: Kevin King – County Manager <[email protected]>
cc: Public Records Request <[email protected]>, [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]
date: Apr 30, 2025, 1:33 PM
subject: Re: Public records request. (April 2025) Request for Jackson County, NC Government: Commissioner and County Manager communications sent or received from 10/16/2024 – 04/17/2025.Hi Kevin,
Thanks again for your reply.
I’ve requested “Emails, Text messages, Instant messages, Direct messages on any social media platforms (e.g., Facebook Messenger, Twitter/X DMs, Instagram DMs), WhatsApp/Signal/Other messaging platforms, and Voicemails” on County-owned, and personal devices / apps (which have also been used to discuss county business) for all Commissioners as well as yourself.
Please specify how you conducted a search for responsive records from all parties mentioned. Did you reach out directly to the individuals / custodian(s) of those records? Please confirm whether they were asked to provide those specific responsive records.
Thank you.
~ The Sunshine Request Team
Status: Clarification Requested -
April 30, 2025 12:59 pm
1 month ago
from: Kevin King – County Manager <[email protected]>
to: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
cc: Public Records Request <[email protected]>, [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]
date: Apr 30, 2025, 12:59 PM
subject: RE: Public records request. (April 2025) Request for Jackson County, NC Government: Commissioner and County Manager communications sent or received from 10/16/2024 – 04/17/2025.The county has no communications from 10/16/2024 through 04/17/2025 sent To or sent From any Jackson County, NC Commissioner and County Manager Kevin King that relate in any way to: The removal of plaques or any decisions, discussions, opinions, or constituent communication concerning the Confederate statue in Sylva, NC.”
E-mail correspondence to and from this address may be subject to the North Carolina Public Records Law and may be disclosed to third parties by an authorized county official.
Status: Clarification Provided -
April 30, 2025 10:26 am
1 month ago
from: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
to: Kevin King – County Manager <[email protected]>
cc: Public Records Request <[email protected]>, [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]
date: Apr 30, 2025, 10:26 AM
subject: Re: Public records request. (April 2025) Request for Jackson County, NC Government: Commissioner and County Manager communications sent or received from 10/16/2024 – 04/17/2025.Hi Kevin,
Thank you for your reply.
To clarify – I did not ask for records specifically “between
commissioners, county staff, the county Sheriff and administration” as you’ve said. I requested all communications “….10/16/2024 through 04/17/2025 sent To or sent From any Jackson County, NC Commissioner and County Manager Kevin King that relate in any way to: The removal of plaques or any decisions, discussions, opinions, or constituent communication concerning the Confederate statue in Sylva, NC.”
Can you please confirm your understanding of the request, and please proceed to re-process it as written?
Additionally, can you please specify how you performed your initial search to determine there are no “communications [of any kind] between commissioners, county staff, the county Sheriff and administration” about the statue from 10/16/24 through 04/17/25?
Thank you.
~ The Sunshine Request Team
Status: Clarification Requested -
April 30, 2025 8:11 am
1 month ago
from: Kevin King – County Manager <[email protected]>
to: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>, Public Records Request <[email protected]>
cc: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]
date: Apr 30, 2025, 8:11 AM
subject: RE: Public records request. (April 2025) Request for Jackson County, NC Government: Commissioner and County Manager communications sent or received from 10/16/2024 – 04/17/2025.The County does not have any public records or other communications between commissioners, county staff, the county Sheriff and administration or workers (any county employee, elected official or contractor) regarding the statue from 10/16/2024-04/17/2025. This includes emails, Text messages, Instant messages, Direct messages on any social media platforms (e.g., Facebook Messenger, Twitter/X DMs, Instagram DMs), WhatsApp/Signal/Other messaging platforms, and Voicemails.
E-mail correspondence to and from this address may be subject to the North Carolina Public Records Law and may be disclosed to third parties by an authorized county official.
E-mail correspondence to and from this address may be subject to the North Carolina Public Records Law and may be disclosed to third parties by an authorized county official.
Status: Response Received from Government -
April 29, 2025 4:35 pm
1 month ago
from: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
to: Public Records Request <[email protected]>
cc: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]
date: Apr 29, 2025, 4:35 PM
subject: Public records request. (April 2025) Request for Jackson County, NC Government: Commissioner and County Manager communications sent or received from 10/16/2024 – 04/17/2025.Good afternoon PIO, Kevin, Angie, (Records Officer / Custodian(s) of these Records),
Please reply promptly to the following public records request, which I’m making in accordance with NC Public Records Law. https://www.ncleg.net/enactedlegislation/statutes/html/bychapter/chapter_132.html
Please provide all communications 10/16/2024 through 04/17/2025 sent To or sent From any Jackson County, NC Commissioner and County Manager Kevin King that relate in any way to: The removal of plaques or any decisions, discussions, opinions, or constituent communication concerning the Confederate statue in Sylva, NC.
These communications should include, but are not limited to: Emails, Text messages, Instant messages, Direct messages on any social media platforms (e.g., Facebook Messenger, Twitter/X DMs, Instagram DMs), WhatsApp/Signal/Other messaging platforms, and Voicemails.
This request applies to all communications, regardless of platform or format, so long as they relate to the above topic and were made or received in connection with the transaction of public business. Therefore, the responsive records should include any communications made using county-issued or personal devices or accounts. This includes messages sent via mobile apps, personal email accounts, or social media messaging tools.
As affirmed in guidance from the UNC School of Government and the NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, public records laws apply to the content of a message — not just the platform or device used. As such, personal devices, accounts, and social media channels are subject to public records requirements when they are used to conduct public business.
Ideally, I’d prefer if you provide the responsive records in electronic format (e.g., PDF, email, or other digital file transfer) if available.
** I’m simply requesting electronic copies of electronic records, if they exist. I’m NOT asking for the opportunity to come in person to “inspect”, nor to obtain a printed copy of, these electronic records. I’m requesting explicitly that any responsive info be provided to me via the electronic medium / electronic format (in which the copy of these records already exist). If you are unable to fulfill any or all parts of this request, or, if any records are withheld or redacted – please cite the specific statutory exemption justifying such withholding, per N.C. Gen. Stat. § 132-6(c).**
————————————Please note that by submitting this request, I’m NOT agreeing to pay any potential fees or associated costs related to my request. If it isn’t possible to process the request without incurring fees, then please let me know the itemized potential cost and clear explanations of those charges upfront, and DO NOT proceed until I respond.
By Law I’m not required to provide a name or address to associate with a public records request. However, in order to move things along I’d like to clarify that this request is being made by:
Sunshine Request
PO Box 17391
Asheville, NC 28816The request has been sent solely by me and my email address [email protected] . If anyone other than that email address contacts you to pursue a similar request, it did not come from me. Please do not commingle or treat that as an alteration or cancellation of my request – I intend to continue to pursue my request.
Thank you for your assistance!
** Sunshine Request (www.sunshinerequest.com) makes no claim as to the veracity of any statements or information contained in any of the requests, or public records, we receive.
Status: Sent to Government -
April 29, 2025 4:34 pm
1 month ago
Submitted to Sunshine Request
Status: Pending