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: February 23, 2024 | Updated: April 9, 2024
(February 2024) Multi-part request for Rutherford County, NC Government: Sheriff’s emails and texts. Keyword specific. From 01/01/2023 – 02/01/2024.
Good Evening Kim, Amy, Kristina, (or Custodian(s) of these records), and all others CCed,
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
** I’m simply requesting an electronic copy of an electronic record, if one exists. I’m NOT asking for the opportunity to come in person to "inspect", nor to obtain a printed copy of, this electronic record. I’m requesting explicitly that any responsive info be provided to me via the electronic medium / electronic format (in which the copy of this record already exists). If you are unable to fulfill any or all parts of this request, please specifically cite where a reason for denial is justified under NC Public Records Law. **
It is my belief that in 2023 Sheriff Ellenburg may have had a fundraiser for “new tasers”, which may have been led by Mike Hager and Bryson Smith. It is also my belief that this fundraiser may have netted nearly $10,000. In the interest of public record, receipts, and expenditure of these funds – I’m requesting the following (if such records exist):
A. Please provide all emails and SMS text messages between Sheriff Ellenburg and Mike [or Michael] Hager during the period of January 01, 2023 through February 01, 2024. Specifically – I’m only requesting communications that include any of the following keywords: “donation” , “deposit’, “fund raiser” , “fundraiser” , “cash” , “funds” , “check” , “account” .
B. Please provide all emails and SMS text messages between Sheriff Ellenburg and Bryson Smith during the period of January 01, 2023 through February 01, 2024. Specifically – I’m only requesting communications that include any of the following keywords: “donation” , “deposit’, “fund raiser” , “fundraiser” , “cash” , “funds” , “check” , “account” .
It is also my belief that Sheriff Ellenburg might use any / all of the following email addresses. Please include all three when conducting your searches:
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
————————————
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 explanations for 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, but 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: Completed
Activity:
-
April 9, 2024 12:24 pm
6 months ago
from: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
to: Amy Hamrick <[email protected]>
date: Apr 9, 2024, 12:24 PM
subject: Re: Public Record Request-2024029Good afternoon Amy,
In regard to Public Record Request-2024029.
Thanks for your message on 04/08 confirming that there are no responsive emails or text messages during the time period I requested.
Later today I will mark this request as “Completed” on our website.
Thank you for your assistance with my request!
~ The Sunshine Request Team
Status: Completed -
April 5, 2024 1:20 pm
6 months ago
from: Amy Hamrick <[email protected]>
to: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
date: Apr 5, 2024, 1:20 PM
subject: Public Record Request-2024029Good Afternoon
We have no records matching your request.
If you have any questions, I can be reached by email at [email protected] and by phone at (828) 288-3317. When inquiring about this request, please reference file #2024029.
Thanks
Amy Hamrick
Administrative Assistant
Rutherford County
289 N. Main Street
Rutherfordton, NC 28139
828-288-3317
STATEMENT OF CONFIDENTIALITY
This electronic message may contain privileged or confidential information. If you are not the intended recipient of this e-mail, please delete it from your system and advise the sender above.
NOTICE OF PUBLIC RECORD
Pursuant to North Carolina General Statutes, Chapter 132, et seq., this electronic mail message and any attachment hereto, as well as any electronic mail message(s) that may be sent in response to it may be considered a public record and as such are subject to requests for review.
Pursuant to North Carolina General Statutes, Chapter 132,et.seq., this electronic mail message and any attachment hereto, as well as any electronic mail message(s) that may be sent in response to it may be considered public record and as such are subject to requests for review.
Status: Response Received from Government -
March 8, 2024 2:19 pm
7 months ago
from: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
to: Amy Hamrick <[email protected]>
date: Mar 8, 2024, 2:19 PM
subject: Re: Public Record Request-2024029Hi Amy,
My apologies for the delay.
Thank you for confirming receipt of my request:
(February 2024) Multi-part request for Rutherford County, NC Government: Sheriff’s emails and texts. Keyword specific. From 01/01/2023 – 02/01/2024.
I will check in with you again later this month, if I have not heard anything else before then.
Have a great weekend!
~ The Sunshine Request Team
Status: Government Processing Request -
February 26, 2024 8:46 am
8 months ago
from: Amy Hamrick <[email protected]>
to: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
date: Feb 26, 2024, 8:46 AM
subject: Public Record Request-2024029Your request for information has been received. The request has been submitted to the appropriate departments for review. You will be contacted if/when the information is available for you to review along with instructions as to the location of the information. If a cost is associated with the request, you will be notified of any charges being incurred. Standard copies are $0.15 per impression excluding copies that are electronically provided. Data processing surcharges will be collected, if incurred.
If you have any questions, I can be reached by email at [email protected] and by phone at (828) 288-3317. When inquiring about this request, please reference file #2024029.
Amy Hamrick
Administrative Assistant
Rutherford County
289 N. Main Street
Rutherfordton, NC 28139
828-288-3317
STATEMENT OF CONFIDENTIALITY
This electronic message may contain privileged or confidential information. If you are not the intended recipient of this e-mail, please delete it from your system and advise the sender above.
NOTICE OF PUBLIC RECORD
Pursuant to North Carolina General Statutes, Chapter 132, et seq., this electronic mail message and any attachment hereto, as well as any electronic mail message(s) that may be sent in response to it may be considered a public record and as such are subject to requests for review.
Pursuant to North Carolina General Statutes, Chapter 132,et.seq., this electronic mail message and any attachment hereto, as well as any electronic mail message(s) that may be sent in response to it may be considered public record and as such are subject to requests for review.
Status: Government Processing Request -
February 23, 2024 6:25 pm
8 months ago
from: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
to: Kim Aldridge <[email protected]>
cc: [email protected], [email protected], Steve Garrison <[email protected]>, Amy Hamrick <[email protected]>, [email protected], [email protected]
date: Feb 23, 2024, 6:25 PM
subject: Public records request. (February 2024) Multi-part request for Rutherford County, NC Government: Sheriff’s emails and texts. Keyword specific. From 01/01/2023 – 02/01/2024.Good Evening Kim, Amy, Kristina, (or Custodian(s) of these records), and all others CCed,
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
** I’m simply requesting an electronic copy of an electronic record, if one exists. I’m NOT asking for the opportunity to come in person to “inspect”, nor to obtain a printed copy of, this electronic record. I’m requesting explicitly that any responsive info be provided to me via the electronic medium / electronic format (in which the copy of this record already exists). If you are unable to fulfill any or all parts of this request, please specifically cite where a reason for denial is justified under NC Public Records Law. **
It is my belief that in 2023 Sheriff Ellenburg may have had a fundraiser for “new tasers”, which may have been led by Mike Hager and Bryson Smith. It is also my belief that this fundraiser may have netted nearly $10,000. In the interest of public record, receipts, and expenditure of these funds – I’m requesting the following (if such records exist):
A. Please provide all emails and SMS text messages between Sheriff Ellenburg and Mike [or Michael] Hager during the period of January 01, 2023 through February 01, 2024. Specifically – I’m only requesting communications that include any of the following keywords: “donation” , “deposit’, “fund raiser” , “fundraiser” , “cash” , “funds” , “check” , “account” .
B. Please provide all emails and SMS text messages between Sheriff Ellenburg and Bryson Smith during the period of January 01, 2023 through February 01, 2024. Specifically – I’m only requesting communications that include any of the following keywords: “donation” , “deposit’, “fund raiser” , “fundraiser” , “cash” , “funds” , “check” , “account” .
It is also my belief that Sheriff Ellenburg might use any / all of the following email addresses. Please include all three when conducting your searches:
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
————————————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 explanations for 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, but 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 -
February 23, 2024 6:16 pm
8 months ago
Submitted to Sunshine Request
Status: Pending