Aren Cambre's Praxis Research

Called Alice Holloway and asked for explanation why they couldn't produce the repsonsive data. Alice declined to give any technical or legal reasoning why it is not possible to produce electronic copies of Wilmer traffic ticket data, even after I reminded her that their software vendor said they could produce the responsive data. Alice also declined to explain why Wilmer muzzled their software vendor. She offered me the opportunity to visit and hand-review records. Her only reasoning was "you can't just go to the FBI and demand all their records" (this quote is paraphrased from my memory 15 minutes after the call).

I responded with three, separate, emailed open records requests for:

• "electronic copy of Wilmer’s policies on data retention concerning emails or written, phoned, or other types of correspondences used by Wilmer employees while performing their official duties for the city"
• "electronic copies of all communications—electronic, emailed, phoned, written, or otherwise—generated or received by Wilmer employees or any persons acting on Wilmer’s behalf, concerning my 12/3/2009 open records request (attached) for an electronic copy of Wilmer’s traffic tickets, which was routed back to you on 1/14/2011 (attached) after going through the police department", which should include "all communications directly concerning my request or tangential issues that were brought up in handling my request"
• Several details on Wilmer's Utility Data Sytems and Accuterm products.

Alice said they use "utility data system and accuterm".

I asked Alice:

Thanks. Do you have more details on why your consultants were unable to produce the responsive data? I’ve requested the same data from all other 33 cities in Dallas County, and this is the first time I’ve heard that the software vendor was unable to export it.

Called Utility Data Sytems for a second time, asking for a call back on invoice 4422.

Called Utility Data Systems, the apparent vendor of Wilmer's court records management system. I left a message through the receiptionist, asking someone to get back with me on the technical problems that are blocking Wilmer from complying with my open records request. The message was per Utility Data Systems's sales order 4422.

Noticed that check never got deposited. Spoke with Alice Holloway, and she says she deposits checks within a day of receipt.

Spoke with Chief Kemp. The data is really under municipal court jurisdiction. He says he's seen some emails suggesting that they are working on my request.

He and I both agreed it may be best for me to to work directly with the city secretary and the municipal court judge. He gave me their contact info.

I emailed Alice Holloway just to establish contact for the existing request.

Just called for Chief Kemp at 972-441-6565. Was told he is out until the week of July 5.

Called 972-441-6565 (direct # to Wilmer PD) but was told that Chief Kemp is out and will return on Monday.

Called main switchboard (972-441-6373).

Transferred to Alice Holloway, City Secretary. Alice said it will be a large request because of research time. I assured her I only need the data that is already electronic (not needing non-electronic data) and that most of the time it was just an export from the court system.

Alice said Police Chief Kemp manages this data system. She says that he mailed me a cost estimate [no such cost estimate has been received here].

Transferred me to the police dispacher, who took a message for me and promised to put it on Kemp's desk.

Chief Kemp called me later in the day and apologized for the delay and explained that the request may have been lost due to some changes in the city. I assured him I am not worried about the (statutorily-required) 10 day response time.

I emailed Kemp a copy of the open records request.