Other (indicate in message) Submitted: October 5, 2023 | Updated: October 5, 2023

(October 2023) Request for Lincoln County, NC Government: Info related to termination of Animal Services Director. 01/01/23 – 10/02/23.

Good afternoon Brittany (or Lincoln County Records Officer / Custodian of these Records), all others CCed,

Please reply promptly to the following public records request, which is being made 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 should already exist).

I do not have any further clarifying info I can provide to narrow this request. 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.**

Regarding the termination of Hannah R. (Beaver) Houser who previously served as the Animal Services Director for Lincoln County, NC Government.

If such a record exists –

Please provide the following electronic records related to Ms. Houser's termination. During the specific time period of 01/01/2023 through 10/02/2023:

A. Any and all documents related to the decision to terminate Hannah R. Houser, including but not limited to memoranda, reports, emails, and meeting minutes.

B. Ms. Houser's termination letter, and any accompanying documentation outlining the reasons for her termination.

C. Records detailing the process followed in the termination of Ms. Houser, including any investigations, hearings, or disciplinary actions leading up to the termination.
——————

** 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, 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!

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. the info that should be requested.

Status: Completed

Documents:

Activity:

  • October 5, 2023 5:41 pm

    6 months ago

    from: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
    to: Megan Gilbert <[email protected]>
    date: Oct 5, 2023, 5:41 PM
    subject: Re: Public records request. (October 2023) Request for Lincoln County, NC Government: Info related to termination of Animal Services Director. 01/01/23 – 10/02/23.

     

    Hi Megan,

     

    Thank you very much for your extremely prompt assistance with this request!

     

    I reviewed the information provided, and I will now mark the request as “completed” on our website.

     

    Have a great evening!

     

    ~ The Sunshine Request Team

    Status: Completed
  • October 5, 2023 5:33 pm

    6 months ago

    from: Megan Gilbert <[email protected]>
    to: [email protected]
    date: Oct 5, 2023, 5:33 PM
    subject: RE: Public records request. (October 2023) Request for Lincoln County, NC Government: Info related to termination of Animal Services Director. 01/01/23 – 10/02/23.

     

    Good Evening.

     

    In order to best respond to your request, please see my responses below:

     

    Please provide the following electronic records related to Ms. Houser’s termination. During the specific time period of 01/01/2023 through 10/02/2023:

     

    A. Any and all documents related to the decision to terminate Hannah R. Houser, including but not limited to memoranda, reports, emails, and meeting minutes.

     

    This information and documentation requested is considered part of Ms. Houser’s personnel file and is confidential pursuant to N.C.G.S. §153A-98.

     

    B. Ms. Houser’s termination letter, and any accompanying documentation outlining the reasons for her termination.

     

    Pursuant to N.C.G.S. §153A-98(b)(11), Ms. Houser’s termination letter is public record and is attached hereto.

     

    C. Records detailing the process followed in the termination of Ms. Houser, including any investigations, hearings, or disciplinary actions leading up to the termination.

     

    The process followed in the termination of Ms. Houser was consistent with the Lincoln County Personnel Policy which is available online at the following link: https://www.lincolncountync.gov/DocumentCenter/View/19050/Lincoln-County-Personnel-Policy—Revised-3202023-

     

    Thanks.

     

    Megan H. Gilbert

    County Attorney | Lincoln County

    353 N. Generals Blvd.

    P.O. Box 738

    Lincolnton, NC 28092

    Main: 704-736-8471

    Direct: 704-666-6965

    Please take notice that my direct line phone number has recently changed!

     

    DISCLAIMER: Pursuant to North Carolina General Statutes Chapter 132, Public Records,
    this electronic mail message and any attachments hereto, as well as any electronic mail
    message(s) sent in response to it, may be considered public record and as such subject
    to request and review by anyone at any time.

     

    **Editor’s Note: Please see the 1 file referenced (“Final-Decision-Letter.pdf”) at top left in our Documents section.

    Status: Response Received from Government
  • October 5, 2023 4:04 pm

    6 months ago

    from: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
    to: Brittany Abernathy <[email protected]>
    cc: [email protected], “Candy S. Burgin” <[email protected]>, [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]
    date: Oct 5, 2023, 4:04 PM
    subject: Public records request. (October 2023) Request for Lincoln County, NC Government: Info related to termination of Animal Services Director. 01/01/23 – 10/02/23.

     

    Good afternoon Brittany (or Lincoln County Records Officer / Custodian of these Records), all others CCed,

     

    Please reply promptly to the following public records request, which is being made 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 should already exist).

     

    I do not have any further clarifying info I can provide to narrow this request. 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.**

     

    Regarding the termination of Hannah R. (Beaver) Houser who previously served as the Animal Services Director for Lincoln County, NC Government.

     

    If such a record exists –

     

    Please provide the following electronic records related to Ms. Houser’s termination. During the specific time period of 01/01/2023 through 10/02/2023:

     

    A. Any and all documents related to the decision to terminate Hannah R. Houser, including but not limited to memoranda, reports, emails, and meeting minutes.

     

    B. Ms. Houser’s termination letter, and any accompanying documentation outlining the reasons for her termination.

     

    C. Records detailing the process followed in the termination of Ms. Houser, including any investigations, hearings, or disciplinary actions leading up to the termination.
    ——————

     

    ** 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, 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
  • October 5, 2023 3:53 pm

    6 months ago

    Submitted to Sunshine Request
    Status: Pending