Other (indicate in message) Submitted: September 29, 2021 | Updated: February 13, 2023

(October 2021) Request for Rockingham County, NC: County Manager emails 07/15/21 – 09/30/21

Hello Rockingham County, NC Government (Records Officer),

I'd like to make a public records request for the following information under NC Public Records Law:

Please provide all of Rockingham County Manager Lance Metzler's emails from July 15, 2021 through September 30, 2021. This is not subject specific -- I'm asking that you please provide ALL emails sent and received by Mr. Metzler's address during the time period requested.

Additionally - please provide all .pdfs, files, attachments, videos, hyperlinks, etc. that are indicated within the responsive records. For example: A .pdf that is an attachment within an email, should also be provided as a document along with the responsive emails.

Please include all of those additional documents where applicable, as relates to the requested information above.

If the records are ultimately too large to send via emailed file share, I'd ask that you please create a public Google Drive folder / link or some other file format to transfer the files electronically.
-----

** 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. **

Thank you for your assistance!

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 09/29/21: We apologize for the delay in processing and publishing this request on our site. Sunshine Request is a project built and run by a small team at PRC Applications. We run the site in addition to our primary business. While we will always do our best to process and follow up on requests as quickly as possible, there may be occasional delays, depending on our availability in a given week or month.

Thank you for using www.sunshinerequest.com!

Status: Clarification Provided

Documents:

Rockingham-County-Public-Records-Policy-dervied-from-Davidson-County.pdf

Activity:

February 13, 2023 8:14 am
1 year ago

from: Clyde Albright <[email protected]>
to: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
date: Feb 13, 2023, 8:14 AM
subject: Re: Flash Drive Returned

Good morning,
I have attached the Public Records Policy of Rockingham County. Please note the special service charges Section 3.
Your request required 20 hours of staff time to fulfill. At the $28.00 per hour fee this totals $560.00.
Please send your check for $560.00 and postage paid envelope and I will place the flash drive in the envelope and send it back to you.

Sincerely

Clyde B. Albright
Rockingham County Attorney

Editor’s Note 02/13/23: Our team we will need some time to consider this new response from Clyde, and to determine our next steps. We will do this as soon as possible.

Please see referenced file from Clyde (“Rockingham County Public Records Policy dervied from Davidson County.pdf”) at top left in our Documents section.

Status: Clarification Provided
February 10, 2023 4:55 pm
1 year ago

from: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
to: Clyde Albright <[email protected]>
date: Feb 10, 2023, 4:55 PM
subject: Re: Flash Drive Returned

Hi Clyde,

Thanks for your message.

Regarding Records Request: (October 2021) Request for Rockingham County, NC: County Manager emails 07/15/21 – 09/30/21

https://www.sunshinerequest.com/records_request/october-2021-request-for-rockingham-county-nc-county-manager-emails-07-15-21-09-30-21/

I apologize that the flashdrive was returned to your office.

I have not been able to get to the PO Box since my last email to you on January 03. We had been following up with you, and that was the first time we heard the flashdrive had already been mailed back in December.

We typically receive records request results for “emails” in an emailed, google drive, or other online format. Therefore, we do not regularly check our PO Box or have much occasion to do so.

If you don’t mind to please resend the flash drive again, I can commit to go and pick it up promptly — If you can let me know as soon as it has been mailed, this will give me some heads up.

Sorry for the inconvenience.
Thank you for your help!

~ The Sunshine Request Team

Status: Clarification Requested
February 10, 2023 4:38 pm
1 year ago

from: Clyde Albright <[email protected]>
to: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
date:Feb 10, 2023, 4:38 PM
subject: Flash Drive Returned

Good afternoon,

We mailed the flash drive with the requested records to your PO Box on December 14, 2022.
The Post Office has returned the letter and flash drive.

Clyde B. Albright
Rockingham County Attorney

Status: Response Received from Government
January 3, 2023 10:03 am
1 year ago

from: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
to: Clyde Albright <[email protected]>
cc: John Morris <[email protected]>, Lance Metzler <[email protected]>, Paul Murray <[email protected]>, [email protected]
date: Jan 3, 2023, 10:03 PM
subject: Re: Records Request: (October 2021) Request for Rockingham County, NC: County Manager emails 07/15/21 – 09/30/21

Hi Clyde,

Thanks for confirming.

We will try to get over to the PO Box sometime in the coming 1 – 2 weeks as we’re able.

Once we’ve received the records, we’ll review as we’re able, and will let you know if we have any questions.

Otherwise, if there are no questions, I’ll mark the request as “Completed” at that point. I’ll let you know.

Thank you for your help!

~ The Sunshine Request Team

Status: Response Received from Government
January 3, 2023 12:32 pm
1 year ago

from: Clyde Albright <[email protected]>
to: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
cc: John Morris <[email protected]>,
Lance Metzler <[email protected]>,
Paul Murray <[email protected]>,
[email protected]
date: Jan 3, 2023, 12:32 PM
subject: Re: Records Request: (October 2021) Request for Rockingham County, NC: County Manager emails 07/15/21 – 09/30/21

Good afternoon,
The requested records were mailed to you on December 14, 2022.

Clyde B. Albright
Interim County Attorney

Status: Response Received from Government
December 13, 2022 11:01 am
1 year ago

from: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
to: John Morris <[email protected]>
cc: Lance Metzler <[email protected]>, Paul Murray <[email protected]>, [email protected]
date: Dec 13, 2022, 11:01 AM
subject: Re: Records Request: (October 2021) Request for Rockingham County, NC: County Manager emails 07/15/21 – 09/30/21

Hi John (and all others CCed),

I’m following up again on my previous messages since 11/21/22. I have not received a response.

– What is the anticipated date of completion for this request sent on October 06, 2021? Have you mailed the package yet? We don’t often check the PO Box. If you’ve sent anything, we are not aware.
– We had hoped to receive the files [emails] in an electronic format in which they should already exist, (or via google drive link, etc.) If you haven’t mailed anything yet, then for expediency can you please send over the files via email etc? If they’re ultimately too large to send, and a mailed flash drive is necessary, then that’s fine.

I will make one more attempt to follow up and call your office next week. If I have not heard back by then, I will go ahead and mark this request as “Denied” on our website.
——–

FYI — The messages in which I had CCed the address [email protected] , continue to bounce back as “denied” or “rejected” by your servers with a notice that says the “contact (its) may not exist.”

Thank you for your help!

~ The Sunshine Request Team

Status: Follow up
December 6, 2022 11:59 am
1 year ago

from: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
to: John Morris <[email protected]>
cc: Lance Metzler <[email protected]>, Paul Murray <[email protected]>, [email protected]
date: Dec 6, 2022, 11:59 AM
subject: Re: Records Request: (October 2021) Request for Rockingham County, NC: County Manager emails 07/15/21 – 09/30/21

Good Afternoon John (and all others CCed),

I’m following up again on your last update, and my email to you, on 11/21/22 regarding this records request: (October 2021) Request for Rockingham County, NC: County Manager emails 07/15/21 – 09/30/21

We were hoping to receive the files in an electronic format via email, google drive link, etc. But if they’re ultimately too large to send, and a mailed flash drive is necessary, that’s fine too!

Again, our mailing address is:

Sunshine Request
PO Box 17391
Asheville, NC 28816

We do not go often to check the box, so please let us know once the package has been mailed.

Thank you!
———-

FYI — The messages in which I CCed the address [email protected] , continue to bounce back as “denied” or “rejected” by your servers with a notice that says the “contact (its) may not exist.” So, I’ve removed that address moving forward.

Status: Follow up
November 21, 2022 12:37 pm
1 year ago

from: Mail Delivery Subsystem <[email protected]>
to: [email protected]
date: Nov 21, 2022, 12:37 PM
subject: Delivery Status Notification (Failure)

Hello [email protected],

We’re writing to let you know that the group you tried to contact (its) may not exist, or you may not have permission to post messages to the group. A few more details on why you weren’t able to post:

* You might have spelled or formatted the group name incorrectly.
* The owner of the group may have removed this group.
* You may need to join the group before receiving permission to post.
* This group may not be open to posting.

If you have questions related to this or any other Google Group, visit the Help Center at https://support.google.com/a/co.rockingham.nc.us/bin/topic.py?topic=25838.

Thanks,

co.rockingham.nc.us admins

from: Mail Delivery Subsystem <[email protected]>
to: [email protected]
date: Nov 21, 2022, 2:25 PM
subject: Delivery Status Notification (Failure)

Hello [email protected],

We’re writing to let you know that the group you tried to contact (its) may not exist, or you may not have permission to post messages to the group. A few more details on why you weren’t able to post:

* You might have spelled or formatted the group name incorrectly.
* The owner of the group may have removed this group.
* You may need to join the group before receiving permission to post.
* This group may not be open to posting.

If you have questions related to this or any other Google Group, visit the Help Center at https://support.google.com/a/co.rockingham.nc.us/bin/topic.py?topic=25838.

Thanks,

co.rockingham.nc.us admins

Status: Government Processing Request
November 21, 2022 2:25 pm
1 year ago

from: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
to: John Morris <[email protected]>
cc: Lance Metzler <[email protected]>, Paul Murray <[email protected]>, [email protected], [email protected]
date: Nov 21, 2022, 2:25 PM
subject: Re: Records Request: (October 2021) Request for Rockingham County, NC: County Manager emails 07/15/21 – 09/30/21

Hi John,

Thank you for the update. We were hoping to receive the files in an electronic format via email, google drive link, etc. But if they’re ultimately too large to send, and a mailed flash drive is necessary, that’s fine too!

Our mailing address is:

Sunshine Request
PO Box 17391
Asheville, NC 28816

We do not go often to check the box, so please let us know once the package has been mailed.

Thank you!

Status: Government Processing Request
November 21, 2022 2:13 pm
1 year ago

from: John Morris <[email protected]>
to: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
cc: Lance Metzler <[email protected]>, Paul Murray <[email protected]>, [email protected], [email protected]
date: Nov 21, 2022, 2:13 PM
subject: Re: Records Request: (October 2021) Request for Rockingham County, NC: County Manager emails 07/15/21 – 09/30/21

Thanks for the follow up. We are compiling all data and will let you know when it is mailed. I assume it is to the same PO Box that we have used before. Please advise.
John M. Morris, JD, MBA
County Attorney
Rockingham County Legal Department
P.O. Box 93
Wentworth, NC 27375
Phone: 336-342-8347

Status: Government Processing Request
November 21, 2022 12:37 pm
1 year ago

from: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
to: John Morris <[email protected]>
cc: Lance Metzler <[email protected]>, Paul Murray <[email protected]>, [email protected], [email protected]
date: Nov 21, 2022, 12:37 PM
subject: Re: Records Request: (October 2021) Request for Rockingham County, NC: County Manager emails 07/15/21 – 09/30/21

Good Afternoon John (Paul, Rebekah, Derek cc’ed)

I’m following up again regarding my public records request above. Sent to your offices on 10/06/2021: (October 2021) Request for Rockingham County, NC: County Manager emails 07/15/21 – 09/30/21

– On July 19th, 2022, John indicated that “… We have finished reviewing the first half of the request. We will send this by the middle of next week.”
– We followed up on that email 5 more times, until October 13th, 2022 when John indicated that “… We have the information. We will work with our IT to create a digital file.”

This is now my 4th attempt to follow up with John since October 13th. We have not received any replies / further updates, or digital files from your office.

It has been over a year since the request was sent in, and I’d like to ask again that you please provide the anticipated date of completion for the request.

I will make a final attempt to follow up early next month, if I don’t hear back before then — If I have not received a response, I will mark the request as “Denied” at that time.

Thank you!

~ The Sunshine Request Team

Status: Follow up
November 9, 2022 6:04 pm
1 year ago

from: Mail Delivery Subsystem <[email protected]>
date: Nov 9, 2022, 6:04 PM
subject: Delivery Status Notification (Failure)

Hello [email protected],

We’re writing to let you know that the group you tried to contact (its) may not exist, or you may not have permission to post messages to the group. A few more details on why you weren’t able to post:

* You might have spelled or formatted the group name incorrectly.
* The owner of the group may have removed this group.
* You may need to join the group before receiving permission to post.
* This group may not be open to posting.

If you have questions related to this or any other Google Group, visit the Help Center at https://support.google.com/a/co.rockingham.nc.us/bin/topic.py?topic=25838.

Thanks,

co.rockingham.nc.us admins

from: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
to: John Morris <[email protected]>
cc: Lance Metzler <[email protected]>, Paul Murray <[email protected]>, [email protected], [email protected]
date: Nov 9, 2022, 6:04 PM
subject: Re: Records Request: (October 2021) Request for Rockingham County, NC: County Manager emails 07/15/21 – 09/30/21

Good evening John (and all CCed),

I’m following up again on the public records request above. Sent to your offices on 10/06/2021: (October 2021) Request for Rockingham County, NC: County Manager emails 07/15/21 – 09/30/21

– On July 19th, 2022, you indicated that “… We have finished reviewing the first half of the request. We will send this by the middle of next week.”
– After we followed up on that email 5 more times, then on October 13th, 2022 you indicated that “… We have the information. We will work with our IT to create a digital file.”

Since October 13th, we have not received any replies / further updates, or digital files from your office.

Can you please provide the anticipated date of completion for the request?

I will make one more attempt to follow up mid-month, if I don’t hear back before then.

Thank you!

Status: Follow up
November 3, 2022 1:58 pm
1 year ago

from: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
to: John Morris <[email protected]>
cc: Lance Metzler <[email protected]>, Paul Murray <[email protected]>, [email protected], [email protected]
date: Nov 3, 2022, 1:58 PM
subject: Re: Records Request: (October 2021) Request for Rockingham County, NC: County Manager emails 07/15/21 – 09/30/21

Good afternoon John,

Checking in on this public records request that was sent in last year on 10/6/21: (October 2021) Request for Rockingham County, NC: County Manager emails 07/15/21 – 09/30/21

On October 13th, 2022 you said:

“We have the information. We will work with our IT to create a digital file.”

Before that email, we last heard from you on July 19th, 2022 when you said:

“We have finished reviewing the first half of the request. We will send this by the middle of next week.”

To date we have still not received any files relating to this request from your office. Are you able to provide an anticipated timeline for when you expect to send us these files? I will plan on following up again at the end of the month if I don’t hear back before then.

Thank you!

Status: Follow up
October 25, 2022 3:17 pm
1 year ago

from: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
to: John Morris <[email protected]>
cc: Lance Metzler <[email protected]>,
Paul Murray <[email protected]>,
[email protected]
date: Oct 25, 2022, 3:17 PM
subject: Re: Records Request: (October 2021) Request for Rockingham County, NC: County Manager emails 07/15/21 – 09/30/21

Good afternoon John,

Thank you for your response from October 13th that says:

“We have the information. We will work with our IT to create a digital file.”

I wanted to check in and see if you could provide an anticipated timeline for completion of this request? I will plan on following up again in November if I don’t hear back before then.

Thank you!

Status: Follow up
October 14, 2022 4:38 pm
1 year ago

from: John Morris <[email protected]>
to: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
cc: Lance Metzler <[email protected]>,
Paul Murray <[email protected]>,
[email protected]
date: Oct 13, 2022, 4:38 PM
subject: Re: Records Request: (October 2021) Request for Rockingham County, NC: County Manager emails 07/15/21 – 09/30/21

We have the information. We will work with our IT to create a digital file.
John M. Morris, JD, MBA
County Attorney
Rockingham County Legal Department
P.O. Box 93
Wentworth, NC 27375
Phone: 336-342-8347

Status: Government Processing Request
October 13, 2022 3:21 pm
1 year ago

from: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
to: John Morris <[email protected]>
cc: Lance Metzler <[email protected]>,
Paul Murray <[email protected]>
[email protected]
date: Oct 13th, 2022, 3:21 PM
subject: Re: Records Request: (October 2021) Request for Rockingham County, NC: County Manager emails 07/15/21 – 09/30/21

Good evening John,

Following up again for the fifth time on this request that was sent in on 10/6/21: (October 2021) Request for Rockingham County, NC: County Manager emails 07/15/21 – 09/30/21

The last update we received was on 7/19 when you said: “We have finished reviewing the first half of the request. We will send this by the middle of next week.”

Just wanted to check in and see if you could provide an anticipated timeline for when we’ll receive these electronic records? I will plan on following up again at the end of the month if I don’t hear back before then.

Thank you!

Status: Follow up
October 3, 2022 5:52 pm
1 year ago

from: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
to: John Morris <[email protected]>
cc: Lance Metzler <[email protected]>,
Paul Murray <[email protected]>
date: Oct 3, 2022, 5:52 PM
subject: Re: Records Request: (October 2021) Request for Rockingham County, NC: County Manager emails 07/15/21 – 09/30/21

Good evening John,

Following up again for the fourth time on this request that was sent in on 10/6/21: (October 2021) Request for Rockingham County, NC: County Manager emails 07/15/21 – 09/30/21

The last update we received was on 7/19 when you said: “We have finished reviewing the first half of the request. We will send this by the middle of next week.”

Just wanted to check in and see if you could provide an anticipated timeline for when we’ll receive these electronic records? I will plan on following up again at the end of the month if I don’t hear back before then.

Thank you!

Status: Follow up
September 7, 2022 2:08 pm
1 year ago

from: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
to: John Morris <[email protected]>
date: Sep 7, 2022, 2:08 PM
subject: Re: Records Request: (October 2021) Request for Rockingham County, NC: County Manager emails 07/15/21 – 09/30/21

Good afternoon John,

Following up another time on this request that was sent in on 10/6/21: (October 2021) Request for Rockingham County, NC: County Manager emails 07/15/21 – 09/30/21

The last update we received was on 7/19 when you said: “We have finished reviewing the first half of the request. We will send this by the middle of next week.”

Just wanted to check in and see if you could provide an anticipated timeline for completion? I will plan on following up again at the end of the month if I don’t hear back before then.

Thank you!

Status: Follow up
August 17, 2022 3:04 pm
1 year ago

from: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
to: John Morris <[email protected]>
date: Aug 17, 2022, 3:04 PM
subject: Re: Records Request: (October 2021) Request for Rockingham County, NC: County Manager emails 07/15/21 – 09/30/21

Good afternoon John,

Following up again on this request that was sent in on 10/6/21: (October 2021) Request for Rockingham County, NC: County Manager emails 07/15/21 – 09/30/21

The last update we received was on 7/19 when you said: “We have finished reviewing the first half of the request. We will send this by the middle of next week.”

Just wanted to check in and see if there was any update to report? I will plan on following up again at the end of the month if I don’t hear back before then.

Thank you!

Status: Government Processing Request
August 8, 2022 3:21 pm
1 year ago

from: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
to: John Morris <[email protected]>
date: Aug 8, 2022, 3:21 PM
subject: Re: Records Request: (October 2021) Request for Rockingham County, NC: County Manager emails 07/15/21 – 09/30/21

Good afternoon John,

I hope you’ve been well. I wanted to check in on this request to see if there was any update to report?

I’ve checked my inbox and spam folder and don’t have any results for this request yet. When do you anticipate completing this request?

Thank you!

Status: Follow up
July 19, 2022 4:47 pm
1 year ago

from: John Morris <[email protected]>
to: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
date: Jul 19, 2022, 4:47 PM
subject: Re: Records Request: (October 2021) Request for Rockingham County, NC: County Manager emails 07/15/21 – 09/30/21

Yes. We have finished reviewing the first half of the request. We will send this by the middle of next week.

John M. Morris, JD, MBA

County Attorney

Rockingham County Legal Department

P.O. Box 93

Wentworth, NC 27375

Phone: 336-342-8347

Status: Government Processing Request
July 19, 2022 4:25 pm
1 year ago

from: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
to: John Morris <[email protected]>
date: Jul 19, 2022, 4:25 PM
subject: Re: Records Request: (October 2021) Request for Rockingham County, NC: County Manager emails 07/15/21 – 09/30/21

Good afternoon John,

Checking in again on this request to see if there’s any update to report?

Thank you!

Status: Follow up
July 6, 2022 4:16 pm
1 year ago

from: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
to: John Morris <[email protected]>
date: Jul 6, 2022, 4:16 PM
subject: Re: Records Request: (October 2021) Request for Rockingham County, NC: County Manager emails 07/15/21 – 09/30/21

Good afternoon John,

Hope you’ve been well.

Wanted to check in on this request to see if there was any update to report?

I will plan on following up again at the end of the month if I don’t hear back before then.

Thank you!

Status: Follow up
January 28, 2022 4:09 pm
2 years ago

from: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
to: John Morris <[email protected]>
date: Jan 28, 2022, 4:09 PM
subject: Re: Records Request: (October 2021) Request for Rockingham County, NC: County Manager emails 07/15/21 – 09/30/21

Good afternoon John,

Thank you for this update!

We understand it may take a while to complete and we’ve noted this information on our site. I will plan to follow up again for a status update in July 2022.

Have a good weekend.

Status: Government Processing Request
January 20, 2022 8:52 am
2 years ago

from: John Morris <[email protected]>
to: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
date: Jan 20, 2022, 8:52 AM
subject: Re: Records Request: (October 2021) Request for Rockingham County, NC: County Manager emails 07/15/21 – 09/30/21

Sunshine:

Good morning. Due to limited resources in our department and daily work demands on our staff, I anticipate a six (6) month period to complete this request. As mentioned previously, the size of this request equates to roughly 14,000 pages of information to review.

Thanks,
John M. Morris, JD, MBA
County Attorney
Rockingham County Legal Department
P.O. Box 93
Wentworth, NC 27375
Phone: 336-342-8347

Status: Government Processing Request
January 19, 2022 4:05 pm
2 years ago

from: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
to: John Morris <[email protected]>
date: Jan 19, 2022, 4:05 PM
subject: Re: Records Request: (October 2021) Request for Rockingham County, NC: County Manager emails 07/15/21 – 09/30/21

Good afternoon John,

I am following up again on this public records request that was sent in on October 6th last year: (October 2021) Request for Rockingham County, NC: County Manager emails 07/15/21 – 09/30/21

I was wondering if you had any update to provide after the email that I sent 10/13/21? I had last heard from you on this request on October 11th, 2021.

Is there any new update to report or do you have an estimated timeline for completion? I will plan on following up one more time in early February if I haven’t heard back before then.

Thank you!

Status: Follow up
October 29, 2021 3:35 pm
2 years ago

from: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
to: John Morris <[email protected]>
date: Oct 29, 2021, 3:35 PM
subject: Re: Records Request: (October 2021) Request for Rockingham County, NC: County Manager emails 07/15/21 – 09/30/21

Good afternoon John,

I am following up on my last email from 10/13 to see if there was an update to report on your end?

I will plan on following up again in late
November if I don’t hear back before then.

Have a good weekend!

Status: Follow up
October 13, 2021 12:07 pm
2 years ago

from: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
to: John Morris <[email protected]>
date: Oct 13, 2021, 12:07 PM
subject: Re: Records Request: (October 2021) Request for Rockingham County, NC: County Manager emails 07/15/21 – 09/30/21

Good afternoon John,

Thank you for your reply!

As we are an anonymous public records site, I’m only able to give you the information I received initially. I am not able to provide you with additional info or further clarification about the request.

If it is not possible for you to fulfill the request as written, can you please provide specifications for how it should be narrowed down in the future if it were to be resubmitted? If so, then I would “close” the request, and can post your update to our site so the sender can review and resubmit if they’d like.

However, if you’re actually just saying the request can be fulfilled as is, but it will just take some time to process, then that’s completely fine. Please proceed. I acknowledge that due to the volume of the request it may take a while to fulfill.

I’d ask though that you please indicate a rough timeline for completion (whether that’s X weeks, X months), and I will not follow up with you again until around the time you’ve specified.

——

** That said — Please note that we cannot pay any fees / associated costs related to any requests on our site. If it is not possible to process the request without incurring fees, please let me know the potential cost, and I will ask that you cease processing the request at that time. I will mark the request as “Completed” on our site.

I appreciate your assistance,

Sunshine Request

Status: Clarification Provided
October 11, 2021 3:54 pm
2 years ago

from: John Morris <[email protected]>
to: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
date: Oct 11, 2021, 3:54 PM
subject: Re: Records Request: (October 2021) Request for Rockingham County, NC: County Manager emails 07/15/21 – 09/30/21

Sunshine,

Yes. I had to clarify the process with IT. Usually we have to print hard copies in order to redact…however, we have found a way to provide electronic records for this request.

The main issue, however, is the size of this request and the time for review. It’s my understanding that this would entail a review of 7,300+ emails (not including attachments). As such, it will take weeks to review this information with the limited resources available. Is it possible the requestor could narrow the search by any means in order to reduce the volume of information?

Thanks,
John Morris

John M. Morris, JD, MBA
County Attorney
Rockingham County Legal Department
P.O. Box 93
Wentworth, NC 27375
Phone: 336-342-8347

Status: Clarification Requested
October 11, 2021 11:35 am
2 years ago

from: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
to: John Morris <[email protected]>
date: Oct 11, 2021, 11:35 AM
subject: Re: Records Request: (October 2021) Request for Rockingham County, NC: County Manager emails 07/15/21 – 09/30/21

Hi John,

Thank you for your reply!

Can you please let me know via email any specific questions or feedback you may have about this request or related emails I’ve sent to this point? From there, if a call is still necessary to discuss, then I will be happy to get in touch with your office.

** Please note: I have submitted a public records request to Rockingham County Gov in compliance with NC Public Records Law. Under NCGS 132, there is no requirement that an individual disclose their name as part of a public records request. Furthermore, under NCGS 132-6(b), the statute clearly states:

(b) No person requesting to inspect and examine public records, or to obtain copies thereof, shall be required to disclose the purpose or motive for the request.

If the request is being denied, please provide legal justification under NCGS 132 to deny any or all parts of the request.

Thank you for your assistance!

Status: Clarification Provided
October 11, 2021 8:09 am
2 years ago

from: John Morris <[email protected]>
to: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
date: Oct 11, 2021, 8:09 AM
subject: Re: Records Request: (October 2021) Request for Rockingham County, NC: County Manager emails 07/15/21 – 09/30/21

Sunshine,

Please provide a contact number for a representative to discuss this request. Thanks!

John
—
John M. Morris

Status: Clarification Requested
October 8, 2021 4:18 pm
2 years ago

from: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
to: John Morris <[email protected]>
date: Oct 8, 2021, 4:18 PM
subject: Re: Records Request: (October 2021) Request for Rockingham County, NC: County Manager emails 07/15/21 – 09/30/21

Hi John,

Thank you for your reply.

I’d like to clarify that NC Public Records Law allows you to charge a requester for the “actual costs” of copying the records if they’re requesting printouts. However, it does not allow for requesters to be charged “per page” for an electronic record.

Ref: https://www.ncleg.net/enactedlegislation/statutes/html/bychapter/chapter_132.html

I’m not requesting / do not want physical copies of emails, and I’m not asking for records to be provided in a medium in which they do not already exist.

I have requested electronic records (emails), which you should be able to provide electronically. The “additional documents” that were also requested, would be any attachments, files, hyperlinks etc. that are already contained within the actual emails.

You are allowed to charge a reasonable fee for the cost of gathering the electronic records — which would be an hourly fee.

Please provide a quote for that service, as well as a copy or link to Rockingham County’s current Public Records Request Policy. At that time, I will indicate to the requester on our website that if they wish to pursue the request further they can reach out to your office directly, or, they can submit a new / narrowed request through our site.

** 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. **
——

That said — Please note that we cannot commit to pay any fees / associated costs related to any requests on our site. If it is not possible to process the request without incurring fees, please let me know the potential cost, and I will ask that you cease processing the request at that time. I will mark the request as “Completed” on our site.”

Thank you for your assistance!

Status: Clarification Provided
October 7, 2021 4:22 pm
2 years ago

from: John Morris <[email protected]>
to: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
date: Oct 7, 2021, 4:22 PM
subject: Re: Records Request: (October 2021) Request for Rockingham County, NC: County Manager emails 07/15/21 – 09/30/21

Sunshine,

Good afternoon and thank you for submitting this request. Per the County public records policy, a fee is imposed on each sheet/electronic record produced. For an 8 1/2×11 sheet it is $.05/sheet.

After preliminary discussion with our IT department, there are greater than 7,000 emails associated with this request. Factoring in attachments, this project could be estimated at 14,000 pages with a fee of $700.00 ($.05*14,000). Since this is such a large request, the fees and expenses must be paid up front before proceeding with work. Please consult with the requestor and let us know whether or not to proceed.

Best,
John Morris

John M. Morris, JD, MBA
County Attorney
Rockingham County Legal Department
P.O. Box 93
Wentworth, NC 27375
Phone: 336-342-8347

Status: Response Received from Government
October 6, 2021 3:07 pm
2 years ago

from: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
to: John Morris <[email protected]>
date: Oct 6, 2021, 3:07 PM
subject: Records Request: (October 2021) Request for Rockingham County, NC: County Manager emails 07/15/21 – 09/30/21

Good afternoon Rockingham County Government,

I’d like to make a public records request for information that may be available in your office.

Please confirm receipt to let me know the request will begin processing, and if possible, please provide a rough estimate of when the request may be completed. I will plan on following up again around the end of the month if I have not heard back before then.

Here are the details of the request:

Subject: (October 2021) Request for Rockingham County, NC: County Manager emails 07/15/21 – 09/30/21

Message: “Hello Rockingham County, NC Government (Records Officer),

I’d like to make a public records request for the following information under NC Public Records Law:

Please provide all of Rockingham County Manager Lance Metzler’s emails from July 15, 2021 through September 30, 2021. This is not subject specific — I’m asking that you please provide ALL emails sent and received by Mr. Metzler’s address during the time period requested.

Additionally – please provide all .pdfs, files, attachments, videos, hyperlinks, etc. that are indicated within the responsive records. For example: A .pdf that is an attachment within an email, should also be provided as a document along with the responsive emails.

Please include all of those additional documents where applicable, as relates to the requested information above.

If the records are ultimately too large to send via emailed file share, I’d ask that you please create a public Google Drive folder / link or some other file format to transfer the files electronically.
—–

** 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. **

Thank you for your assistance!”

Thank you!

** 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
September 29, 2021 6:08 pm
2 years ago

Submitted to Sunshine Request

Status: Pending