Local News
Californian sues Grady County for public records charges
A California man on a crusade to keep public records accessible to everyone is suing the Grady County Assessor and three other Oklahoma assessors for what he considers overcharging for digital records.
Roger Hurlbert, owner of Sage Information Services in Glen Ellen, Calif., sued Grady Assessor Bari Firestone, as well as the assessors in Wagoner, Muskogee and Osage counties. He's also brought suits against assessors in Illinois, Washington, and Delaware – and he's won them all.
However, local District Judge Richard Van Dyck is reconsidering his ruling in favor of Hurlbert. He initially decided in favor of Hurlbert and said that it was unreasonable to charge more than $26 per file.
The assessor's office asked for nearly $1,400 for digital copies of public records and property information. That''s close to $300 per file, Firestone said.
Assistant District Attorney Lesley March failed to counter Hurlbert’s motion for a summary judgment, which forced Van Dyck to make a ruling.
"The judge has heard nothing about the case, but since our DA failed to respond he had to pass it off," Firestone said.
Hurlbert is a California business man who collects public records and property information for databases that assist in economic development, energy studies and other areas.
In each of the court cases, he sent a request for records and a $50 check. Each time he was denied access to the files at the price he found reasonable, and so he sued.
He sued for breach of the Open Records Act, which ensures that public records are available in a reasonable amount of time and at a reasonable price.
"I've had assessors, like these Oklahoma ... people kicking sand in my face for years, and I ain't going to take it anymore," he said. "I have filed these law suits as a final resort."
He said ousting non-compliance to the open records has become his personal mission over the last 30 years.
Hurlbert said most counties across the nation comply to the law.
Firestone said Grady County does follow the law, but it interprets the law differently than Hurlbert.
Firestone said she strictly followed the price schedule set by the Oklahoma Assessor's Association, and the prices offered to Hurlbert were reasonable for anyone using the records for commercial gain.
The law says she can charge a "reasonable" fee that covers time spent and materials used, but Hurlbert said it is unreasonable to charge more than $1,000 for a CD containing files.
Firestone disagrees. She said the price was reasonable because the Grady County Assessor's Office is small and it takes more time and effort to locate the files than recognized by the courts.
"We're spending money on gas, field men, entering the information," she said. "This is taxpayers' money your dealing with."
The assessors association did revamp its fee schedule in December 2008, after Hurlbert filed the suit.
Firestone said the new fee schedule covers electronic copies, which decreases the price of the records by nearly 50 percent. Based on the new fee schedule Hurlbert owes close to $700, she said.
Firestone said much of the county assessor's office funds are derived directly from collecting fees for copies of records.
"It doesn't make sense...$26 for an hour of our time...it's just ridiculous," she said.
March was unavailable for comment. The suit will be reconsidered at 10 a.m. on Jan. 7, 2010, in Judge Van Dyck's courtroom at the Grady County Courthouse.
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Transformations
What comes to mind when you think of the word, “Transformation”?Do you have fantastic thoughts of people or things changing into something amazing for example, Clark Kent turning into Superman or Bruce Banner becoming the Incredible Hulk or possibly something a little more down to earth like a caterpillar miraculously changing into the beautiful butterfly?
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GRADY COUNTY FAIR RESULTS
Plants
Potted Plants
(Several varieties combined)
First: (Adult) Ann O'Bar
Second: (Adult) Joyce Riker
Third: (Adult) Jallane Link -
AROUND THE AREA
SEPTEMBER 2
Poetry Reading
• When: Sept. 2, 7 p.m.
• Where: Eduardo’s Mexican Restaurant, Private Room, 3127 S. 4th St., Chickasha
• Details: Featured Poet is Carol Hamilton, writer, storyteller and Poet Laureate of Oklahoma 1995-97Hamilton’s website is www.carolhamilton.org. There is no admission fee to attend the Poetry Reading, and refreshments are available for purchase. For more information, contact Rockford Johnson, 224-0160 or 317-7506. -
Duncan nips Chicks for straight-game win
Duncan got their eighth match win of the season Tuesday, beating Nancy Waters’ Lady Chicks in straight games at the Activity Center.
The Chicks looked like they had a little hangover from Monday night’s tough road loss at Tecumseh, coming out flat again and dropping their first two games by identical 25-17 scores.
They came out firing on all eight cylinders for game three, running out to a 15-9 lead on the strength of a 7-0 run with Shelby Crosley serving, but the Demons battled back to tie it late and the Chicks let it slip away, 25-21. -
STATE SPORTS BRIEFS
NORMAN (AP) — Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops has named walk-on Patrick O'Hara as the starting place-kicker for the seventh-ranked Sooners.
Stoops said on his radio show Tuesday night that O'Hara won the competition with Jimmy Stevens, freshman Michael Hunnicutt and redshirt freshman Bryce Easley. -
OSU's Gundy still learning on job
STILLWATER (AP) — Mike Gundy hasn't lost his love for dialing up the right play to keep Oklahoma State's offense purring along.
That passion, which he has called the most enjoyable part of his job as head coach, was bred into him as an offensive coordinator. And he is a former starting quarterback for the Cowboys. -
Whimsical metal work, jewelry part of big art show at USAO
A showing of whimsical metal work and jewelry is scheduled to be on display at the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma during Helen’s Show Sept. 10-Oct 1.
The show will feature the work of USAO graduate Helen Shafer. The exhibition will be open daily during normal business hours in the Davis Hall Third Floor Art Gallery on the USAO campus. The show is free and open to the public. An opening reception is scheduled Sept. 10 at 6 p.m. in the gallery. -
High-speed chase lands 1 in jail
A high-speed motorcycle chase down Highway 81 last Wednesday landed a Ninnekah man in jail and a felony charge of eluding a police officer.
Court records show that James William Hutchins, 21, blew by Oklahoma Highway Patrol Trooper Timothy Parrish at U.S. Highway 81 and County Road 1460 and was clocked going 144 miles per hour in a posted 70 miles per hour zone.
Parrish reported that he was sitting stationary at that location at about 3:45 p.m. on Aug. 25 when he observed a red motorcycle traveling southbound. He engaged his emergency lights and siren and pulled onto the roadway behind the Triumph motorcycle. -
5 inmates denied parole
Parole was recently denied for five Grady County inmates serving sentences with the Oklahoma Department of Corrections.
The following individuals were denied at the August Pardon and Parole Board meeting:
• Jeremiah Daniel Cline, who is serving a five-year sentence for distribution of a controlled dangerous substance and a five-year sentence for possession of a controlled dangerous substance, began his sentence in August 2008.
• Warren P. Diego, who is serving a 15-year sentence (10 years PTS) for lewd molestation, began his sentence in February 2009. -
Judge recuses herself from pharmacy case
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Transformations
