City and County of Shawano, Wisconsin, Stonewalling FOIA Requests

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SHAWANO, WI— “Both the City and County of Shawano, Wisconsin, are stonewalling Freedom of Information Requests (FOIA),” charged Christina Tobin, Vice President of Taxpayers United of America (TUA).
“On April 26, 2011, over two months ago, we submitted FOIA requests to the City and County of Shawano, Wisconsin, and have not been granted the cooperation required by law,” said Tobin.
“I have heard nothing from the City of Shawano — absolutely nothing.”
“In my FOIA request to the County of Shawano, I contacted Frank Pascarella, County Administrator, and requested, under the state’s Open Records Law (19.31-39, Wisconsin Statutes), the following information: All full time employees (2010), Name, Title, Department, and W2 wages for year ending 12/31/2010. I received this information minus the names.”
“I spoke to Mr. Pascarella regarding this omission and his response was evasive and noncommittal.
“I have received full cooperation from all other cities and counties in Wisconsin from which I have requested information via FOIA, and do not understand the reason for the City of Shawano’s and County of Shawano’s lack of cooperation. What are they hiding?”
“The law requires the recipient of an FOIA request to respond as soon ‘as practicable and without delay.’ TUA will continue to press these recipients to abide by Wisconsin law and will consider what measures are necessary to ensure that this cooperation is given.”