(2) Text messages between Mayor Walsh and Gov. Baker

To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the Massachusetts Public Records Law, M.G.L. c.66, §10, I hereby request the following records:

All text messages sent between Governor Charlie Baker and Mayor Martin Walsh since September 10, 2015.

I also request that, if appropriate, fees be waived as we believe this request is in the public interest, as suggested but not stipulated by the recommendations of the Massachusetts Supervisor of Public Records. The requested documents will be made available to the general public free of charge as part of the public information service at MuckRock.com, processed by a representative of the news media/press and is made in the process of news gathering and not for commercial usage.

I expect the request to be filled in an accessible format, including for screen readers, which provide text-to-speech for persons unable to read print. Files that are not accessible to screen readers include, for example, .pdf image files as well as physical documents.

In the event that fees cannot be waived, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not.

Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 10 calendar days, as the statute requires.

Sincerely,

Brian Keaney

Hi George,

Can you tell me when I can expect the text messages?

Thanks!

Brian

Hi George,

I don't mean to be a pest, but with Christmas coming up I would really appreciate a response before everyone leaves. It's been almost 3 weeks. When do you think I can expect the text messages?

Thanks!

Brian

Hi George,

It has been a week (and more than 3 since I sent my request). Have you heard from the Mayor's office yet? I don't want to have to file an appeal.

Thanks,

Brian

Hi George,

This is actually my second request for these text messages. In the first, it was determined that the Mayor was deleting his text messages. After I appealed to the Supervisor of Public Records (SPR15/744), the Mayor's office said they would begin retaining the texts in accordance with the Public Records Law.

Can you tell me if the mayor and governor have simply stopped sending text messages, or if they have been deleted? Which is the reason for the lack of responsive documents?

Thanks for all your help,

Brian

Hi George,

I didn't ask for texts related to "substantive city business." I asked for all the text messages. The governor said on the radio a few months ago that he and the mayor traded text messages. Is this no longer the case, or are the text messages still being deleted?

Thanks,

Brian

Hi George,

Can you tell me if the Mayor and the Governor are not texting at all any more? Or are they still texting, but the texts are being deleted?

Thanks,

Brian

Dear Supervisor Williams,

Over the summer, Governor Baker said on the radio (http://wgbhnews.org/post/reprehensible-outrageous-and-ridiculous-governor-charlie-baker-boston-public-radio) that he traded text messages with Mayor Walsh. After my first request for these text messages (SPR15/744), you wrote in a letter to Caroline Driscoll dated November 30, 2015 that he understood the city would be making an effort to ensure that all text messages would be available to the public in the future.

I am confused by Mr Bahnan's response about "substantive city business" since I requested all text messages. I would thus like to appeal, and to again request all text messages between the Mayor and the Governor, regardless of content.

Thank you,

Brian Keaney

Dear Supervisor Williams,

I would like to once again appeal the response of the Mayor's office. Text messages are automatically retained unless they are actively deleted.

If the issue is getting the messages to me, there are apps available for this purpose. If Mayor Walsh would prefer not to download another app onto his phone, I would accept either a manual transcription or screen shots of all the text messages.

Additionally, in a letter you sent to Attorney Caroline Driscoll on November 30, 2015 (SPRlS/744), you stated that Attorney Driscoll has ensured you that " that the City is currently making an effort to ensure that the public has access to these records [text messages] in the future regardless of format and/or device in accordance with the Public Records Law." It seems to me that five months is a sufficient amount of time to ensure that the public has access to these records.

I am sorry that I must again appeal this response, but look forward to hearing from you again soon. Until then, I remain

Sincerely Yours,

Brian Keaney