Other (indicate in message) Submitted: November 15, 2023 | Updated: January 3, 2024

(November 2023) Request for Chatham County, NC Government: All legal bills received from or paid to “non-County staff” attorneys from 01/01/2018 – present. Related to lawsuit over removal of a confederate monument.

Good evening Kara, Lindsay, Roy, Courtney (or County 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

** 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 the request is unclear, or 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.**

If such a record exists –

Please provide the electronic copy of all “legal bills” that Chatham County, NC has received from, as well as all “legal bills” they have paid to, outside (non-County staff) attorneys. During the time period of January 01, 2018 through the present day.

Specifically, I’m only requesting bills received from or paid to outside (non-County staff) in relation to the lawsuit over the County’s removal of a confederate monument. I believe that the lawsuit at issue was litigated to a decision by the NC Court of Appeals and, at the trial court, bore the file number 19 CVS 809.
————————————

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 from the email address [email protected] . If anyone other than that email address contacts you to pursue a similar request, or to discuss my request, then it did not come from me or my Team. 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.

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.

Editor’s Note 11/15/23: The submission above has been revised for clarity.


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While we do proofread requests we receive for general spelling and clarity, we may choose not to fulfill the request if it is incomplete, or it is unclear what specific information the requester hopes to receive. In this case, the sender may rewrite and resubmit the request.

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It’s the requester’s responsibility to write the request in a manner that clearly specifies a record that is being requested, and to what government entity it should be sent.

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Thank you for using Sunshine Request!

Status: Completed

Activity:

  • January 3, 2024 8:04 pm

    11 months ago

    from: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
    to: Ann Hammack <[email protected]>
    cc: Lindsay Ray <[email protected]>, Courtney Jones <[email protected]>, Dan Lamontagne <[email protected]>, Kara Lusk <[email protected]>, Roy Lynch <[email protected]>
    date: Jan 3, 2024, 8:04 PM
    subject: Re: Public records request. (November 2023) Request for Chatham County, NC Government: All legal bills related to removal of a confederate monument.

     

    Good evening Ann,

     

    Thank you for providing the requested information.

     

    I have reviewed the documents you sent, and I will now mark this request as “Completed” on our website.

     

    Thank you very much for your help!

     

    ~ The Sunshine Request Team


    Status: Completed
  • January 2, 2024 2:42 pm

    11 months ago

    from: Ann Hammack <[email protected]>
    to:[email protected]” <[email protected]>
    cc: Lindsay Ray <[email protected]>, Courtney Jones <[email protected]>, Dan Lamontagne <[email protected]>, Kara Lusk <[email protected]>, Roy Lynch <[email protected]>
    date: Jan 2, 2024, 2:42 PM
    subject: Public records request. (November 2023) Request for Chatham County, NC Government: All legal bills related to removal of a confederate monument.

     

    To Whom it May Concern:

     

    Attached please find the records requested for all legal bills received from or paid to “non-County staff” attorneys from 01/01/2018 – present related to lawsuit over removal of a confederate monument.

     

    Ann Hammack

    County Paralegal

    Chatham County Government

    County Manager’s Office

    Email: [email protected]

    919-545-8308 (Phone) | 919-542-8272 (Fax)

    Chathamcountync.gov

    12 East Street | P.O. Box 1809

    Pittsboro, NC 27312

     

    In keeping with the NC Public Records Law, e-mails, including attachments, may be released to others upon request for inspection and copying.

     

    **Editor’s Note: Please see the 2 files referenced (“publicrecordsrequest_november2023requestforchatham.zip”) at top left in our Documents section.


    Status: Response Received from Government
  • December 28, 2023 1:10 pm

    11 months ago

    from: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
    to: Lindsay Ray <[email protected]>
    cc: Kara Lusk <[email protected]>, Roy Lynch <[email protected]>, Courtney Jones <[email protected]>, Ann Hammack <[email protected]>, Dan Lamontagne <[email protected]>, Lindsay Ray <[email protected]>
    date: Dec 28, 2023, 1:10 PM
    subject: Re: Public records request. (November 2023) Request for Chatham County, NC Government: All legal bills received from or paid to “non-County staff” attorneys from 01/01/2018 – present. Related to lawsuit over removal of a confederate monument.

     

    Hi Lindsay,

     

    Thank you for the update.

     

    I will follow up with you again around late January, if I do not hear anything else about my request before then.

     

    Thanks for your help!

     

    ~ The Sunshine Request Team


    Status: Government Processing Request
  • December 28, 2023 12:41 pm

    11 months ago

    from: Lindsay Ray <[email protected]>
    to: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
    cc: Kara Lusk <[email protected]>, Roy Lynch <[email protected]>, Courtney Jones <[email protected]>, Ann Hammack <[email protected]>, Dan Lamontagne <[email protected]>, Lindsay Ray <[email protected]>
    date: Dec 28, 2023, 12:41 PM
    subject: RE: Public records request. (November 2023) Request for Chatham County, NC Government: All legal bills received from or paid to “non-County staff” attorneys from 01/01/2018 – present. Related to lawsuit over removal of a confederate monument.

     

    Dear Requestor,

     

    I am on vacation but will respond to your email since most everyone is out on holiday leave.

     

    We have three other huge requests we are working on that were received prior to yours and are taking a significant amount of time to fill. Like your request, these other requests include records that were created prior to our cyber incident. This proves very difficult as we must go about retrieving information from different time periods in different ways.

     

    I cannot give you an estimate on when we will fill your request and we are not required to respond by any deadline but fill your request as promptly as possible. Only two of us work on records requests and we have many more job responsibilities than just public records. We will fill your request when we are able.

     

    Thank you,

     

    Lindsay

     

    ATTENTION: As of June 23rd I am on intermittent family medical leave (FMLA) until further notice. This means I am working adjusted hours, am not consistently in the office or online, and there may be a delay in my response to communications via email or phone. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

     

    Lindsay K. Ray, NCMCC

    Intergovernmental Relations Manager

    President, NC Association of County Clerks

     

    Chatham County Government

    County Manager’s Office

    Email: [email protected]

    919-545-8302 (Desk Phone)

    919-503-2772

     

    919-542-8272 (Fax)

    www.Chathamcountync.gov

    12 East Street | P.O. Box 1809

    Pittsboro, NC 27312

    Please note, my Chatham County email address has changed. Please update my contact information in your system. My new Chatham County email address is [email protected]

    In keeping with the NC Public Records Law, e-mails, including attachments, may be released to others upon request for inspection and copying.


    Status: Response Received from Government
  • December 27, 2023 6:33 pm

    11 months ago

    from: Kara Lusk <[email protected]>
    to: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
    date: Dec 27, 2023, 6:33 PM
    subject: Automatic reply: Public records request. (November 2023) Request for Chatham County, NC Government: All legal bills received from or paid to “non-County staff” attorneys from 01/01/2018 – present. Related to lawsuit over removal of a confederate monument.

     

    Hello, and thank you for your email. I am out of the office December 25-January 3. Chatham County offices are closed December 25-28 and on January 1. If you need assistance with a time-sensitive communications request or media inquiry, please contact:

     

    · On December 28-29, Jimmy Lewis at [email protected].

    · On January 2-3, Shannon Culpepper at [email protected].

     

    Thank you, and happy holidays!

     

    Kara Lusk

    Public Information Officer

    Chatham County Government

    [email protected]

    919-542-8258

    chathamcountync.gov

    12 East Street | P.O. Box 1809

    Pittsboro, NC 27312

     

    In keeping with the NC Public Records Law, e-mails, including attachments, may be released to others upon request for inspection and copying.


     

    from: Lindsay Ray <[email protected]>
    to: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
    date: Dec 27, 2023, 6:33 PM
    subject: Automatic reply: Public records request. (November 2023) Request for Chatham County, NC Government: All legal bills received from or paid to “non-County staff” attorneys from 01/01/2018 – present. Related to lawsuit over removal of a confederate monument.

     

    I will be out of the office on vacation Friday, December 22nd through Monday, January 1st and will return on Tuesday, January 2nd. I will not be checking email regularly during this time.

     

    If you need immediate assistance please call 919-542-8200 or email [email protected].

     

    ATTENTION: As of June 23rd I am on intermittent family medical leave (FMLA) until further notice. This means I am working adjusted hours, am not consistently in the office or online, and there may be a delay in my response to communications via email or phone. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

     

    Lindsay K. Ray
    Clerk to the Board


     

    from: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
    to: Lindsay Ray <[email protected]>
    cc: Kara Lusk <[email protected]>, Roy Lynch <[email protected]>, Courtney Jones <[email protected]>, Ann Hammack <[email protected]>, Dan Lamontagne <[email protected]>
    date: Dec 27, 2023, 6:33 PM
    subject: Re: Public records request. (November 2023) Request for Chatham County, NC Government: All legal bills received from or paid to “non-County staff” attorneys from 01/01/2018 – present. Related to lawsuit over removal of a confederate monument

     

    Good evening Lindsay and all others CCed,

     

    I’d like to ask again that you please confirm receipt of my request below, and please provide an anticipated date for its completion. I submitted it to your offices on November 15:

     

    from: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
    to: [email protected]
    cc: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]
    date: Nov 15, 2023, 5:15 PM
    subject: Public records request. (November 2023) Request for Chatham County, NC Government: All legal bills received from or paid to “non-County staff” attorneys from 01/01/2018 – present. Related to lawsuit over removal of a confederate monument.

     

    The last update I received was from Lindsay on November 28th, at which time it was unclear if anyone had begun processing this request.

     

    Under NC Public Records Law, the County is required to “promptly” process all public records requests. I am concerned that you may be intentionally delaying or ignoring the fulfillment of requests by allowing them to “sit” until staff has availability, or feels like addressing my messages. 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

     

    I’ll make one more attempt to follow up again in 1 week, if I don’t hear anything else before then. At that point, if I still haven’t heard back I will mark this request as having been “Denied” by your organization.

     

    Thank you for your help!

     

    ~ The Sunshine Request Team


    Status: Follow up
  • December 21, 2023 2:35 pm

    11 months ago

    from: Kara Lusk <[email protected]>
    to: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
    date: Dec 21, 2023, 2:35 PM
    subject: Automatic reply: Public records request. (November 2023) Request for Chatham County, NC Government: All legal bills received from or paid to “non-County staff” attorneys from 01/01/2018 – present. Related to lawsuit over removal of a confederate monument.

     

    I am currently out of the office. If you need immediate assistance, please call the County Manager’s Office at 919-542-8200 and request assistance.

     

    Kara Lusk

    Public Information Officer

    Chatham County Government

    [email protected]

    919-542-8258

    chathamcountync.gov

    12 East Street | P.O. Box 1809

    Pittsboro, NC 27312

     

    In keeping with the NC Public Records Law, e-mails, including attachments, may be released to others upon request for inspection and copying.


     

    from: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
    to: Lindsay Ray <[email protected]>
    cc: Kara Lusk <[email protected]>, Roy Lynch <[email protected]>, Courtney Jones <[email protected]>, Ann Hammack <[email protected]>, Dan Lamontagne <[email protected]>
    date: Dec 21, 2023, 2:35 PM
    subject: Re: Public records request. (November 2023) Request for Chatham County, NC Government: All legal bills received from or paid to “non-County staff” attorneys from 01/01/2018 – present. Related to lawsuit over removal of a confederate monument.

     

    Good afternoon Lindsay and all others CCed,

     

    I hope you’re having a good December so far.

     

    Please provide an anticipated date for completion of the following public records request. I submitted it to your offices on Wed, Nov 15, 5:15 PM

     

    from: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
    to: [email protected]
    cc: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]
    date: Nov 15, 2023, 5:15 PM
    subject: Public records request. (November 2023) Request for Chatham County, NC Government: All legal bills received from or paid to “non-County staff” attorneys from 01/01/2018 – present. Related to lawsuit over removal of a confederate monument.

     

    The last update I received was from Lindsay on November 28th. In part, she said that … “I do not know if work began on this request while I was out. I will have to follow up with the people on this email to see if anything has been done.”

     

    I will make one more attempt to follow up with you after the Holiday break, if I don’t hear anything else before then.

     

    Thank you for your help!

     

    ~ The Sunshine Request Team


    Status: Follow up
  • November 30, 2023 5:00 pm

    1 year ago

    from: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
    to: Lindsay Ray <[email protected]>
    cc: Kara Lusk <[email protected]>, Roy Lynch <[email protected]>, Courtney Jones <[email protected]>, Ann Hammack <[email protected]>, Dan Lamontagne <[email protected]>
    date: Nov 30, 2023, 5:00 PM
    subject: Re: Public records request. (November 2023) Request for Chatham County, NC Government: All legal bills received from or paid to “non-County staff” attorneys from 01/01/2018 – present. Related to lawsuit over removal of a confederate monument.

     

    Hi Lindsay,

     

    Thank you for the update.

     

    I will follow up again in mid-December, if I don’t hear anything else before then.

     

    Have a good evening!

     

    ~ The Sunshine Request Team


    Status: Government Processing Request
  • November 28, 2023 6:09 pm

    1 year ago

    from: Lindsay Ray <[email protected]>
    to: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>, Kara Lusk <[email protected]>
    cc: Roy Lynch <[email protected]>, Courtney Jones <[email protected]>, Ann Hammack <[email protected]>, Dan Lamontagne <[email protected]>
    date: Nov 28, 2023, 6:09 PM
    subject: RE: Public records request. (November 2023) Request for Chatham County, NC Government: All legal bills received from or paid to “non-County staff” attorneys from 01/01/2018 – present. Related to lawsuit over removal of a confederate monument.

     

    My apologies. I was out of the office when this was sent and have barely been in the office since. We are in receipt of your request. I can not give you an estimate of if and when we will be able to complete this. I do not know if work began on this request while I was out. I will have to follow up with the people on this email to see if anything has been done.

     

    ATTENTION: As of June 23rd I am on intermittent family medical leave (FMLA) until further notice. This means I am working adjusted hours, am not consistently in the office or online, and there may be a delay in my response to communications via email or phone. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

     

    Lindsay K. Ray, NCMCC

    Intergovernmental Relations Manager

    President, NC Association of County Clerks

     

    Chatham County Government

    County Manager’s Office

    Email: [email protected]

    919-545-8302 (Phone) | 919-542-8272 (Fax)

    www.Chathamcountync.gov

    12 East Street | P.O. Box 1809

    Pittsboro, NC 27312

     

    Please note, my Chatham County email address has changed. Please update my contact information in your system. My new Chatham County email address is [email protected]

     

    In keeping with the NC Public Records Law, e-mails, including attachments, may be released to others upon request for inspection and copying.


    Status: Government Processing Request
  • November 28, 2023 5:35 pm

    1 year ago

    from: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
    to: [email protected]
    cc: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]
    date: Nov 28, 2023, 5:35 PM
    subject: Re: Public records request. (November 2023) Request for Chatham County, NC Government: All legal bills received from or paid to “non-County staff” attorneys from 01/01/2018 – present. Related to lawsuit over removal of a confederate monument.

     

    Hi Kara, Lindsay, Roy, Courtney (or Records Officer / Custodian(s) of these Records),

     

    I’m following up regarding my public records request in the email thread above. I submitted it to your offices on November 15th:

     

    from: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
    to: [email protected]
    cc: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]
    date: Nov 15, 2023, 5:15 PM
    subject: Public records request. (November 2023) Request for Chatham County, NC Government: All legal bills received from or paid to “non-County staff” attorneys from 01/01/2018 – present. Related to lawsuit over removal of a confederate monument.

     

    I haven’t received a reply from anyone since I submitted the request.

     

    Can you please confirm receipt to let me know my request will begin processing? And, if possible, can you please provide me with an anticipated date for its completion?

     

    I’ll follow up in 1 week, if I don’t hear back before then.

     

    Thank you!


    Status: Follow up
  • November 15, 2023 5:15 pm

    1 year ago

    from: Lindsay Ray <[email protected]>
    to: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
    date: Nov 15, 2023, 5:15 PM
    subject: Automatic reply: Public records request. (November 2023) Request for Chatham County, NC Government: All legal bills received from or paid to “non-County staff” attorneys from 01/01/2018 – present. Related to lawsuit over removal of a confederate monument.

     

    I will be out of the office late afternoon on November 14th through Friday, November 17th. I will return on Monday, November 20th.

     

    I will be checking email periodicaly but may be slow to respond. If you need immediate assistance please call 919-542-8200 or email [email protected]

     

    ATTENTION: As of June 23rd I am on intermittent family medical leave (FMLA) until further notice. This means I am working adjusted hours, am not consistently in the office or online, and there may be a delay in my response to communications via email or phone. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

     

    Lindsay K. Ray
    Clerk to the Board


    Status: Sent to Government
  • November 15, 2023 5:15 pm

    1 year ago

    from: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
    to: [email protected]
    cc: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]
    date: Nov 15, 2023, 5:15 PM
    subject: Public records request. (November 2023) Request for Chatham County, NC Government: All legal bills received from or paid to “non-County staff” attorneys from 01/01/2018 – present. Related to lawsuit over removal of a confederate monument.

     

    Good evening Kara, Lindsay, Roy, Courtney (or County 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

     

    ** 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 the request is unclear, or 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.**

     

    If such a record exists –

     

    Please provide the electronic copy of all “legal bills” that Chatham County, NC has received from, as well as all “legal bills” they have paid to, outside (non-County staff) attorneys. During the time period of January 01, 2018 through the present day.

     

    Specifically, I’m only requesting bills received from or paid to outside (non-County staff) in relation to the lawsuit over the County’s removal of a confederate monument. I believe that the lawsuit at issue was litigated to a decision by the NC Court of Appeals and, at the trial court, bore the file number 19 CVS 809.
    ————————————

     

    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 from the email address [email protected] . If anyone other than that email address contacts you to pursue a similar request, or to discuss my request, then it did not come from me or my Team. 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
  • November 15, 2023 5:11 pm

    1 year ago

    Submitted to Sunshine Request
    Status: Pending