County to address information request

An information request from a Curry County commissioner to the county manager is expected to be addressed during Tuesday’s regular meeting. In an email from Commission Vice-Chair Chet Spear to County Manager Lance Pyle dated Oct. 11, Spear seeks copies of varied forms of communication dating back five months.

“I am formally and officially requesting that I be provided a copy of any and all written correspondence (emails, letters, copies, text messages) just anything in writing that you have either sent to or have received from any commissioner, including to or from our county attorney, in which I was not listed as an addressee,” Spear wrote. “This request should cover the period from May 1, 2016 through Oct. 11, 2016. Simplified, if you had sent an email or other written correspondence to any one or more commissioners, to or from the county attorney, to which I was not an addressee, then I want a copy of it.”

Additionally, Spear requested a copy of “any journal or diary or any other documentation you have concerning me that would include summaries of any county business conversation we had ... if you determine that you believe I am not entitled to the items requested as a duly elected Curry County commissioner, please provide me the authority for denying my request.”

Both Spear and Pyle declined comment regarding the request, other than Pyle noting Spear’s request has resulted in about 800 pages of documents.

However, Pyle’s reply to Spear referenced there would be no insight into correspondence with County Attorney Stephen Doerr.

“We are still working on your request of Oct. 11, 2016,” Pyle replied to Spear Oct. 25. “Having said that, it is taking some time, as on average, I receive anywhere from 80 to 100 emails a day. What I will be providing to you as well as to the other commissioners electronically are emails or letters sent or received from the commissioners from May 1, 2016 to Oct. 11, 2016. As any communication with the county attorney is attorney / client privilege, I will not be providing any email communication involving the attorney. If you disagree, I would request that you place this on the next commission meeting agenda and the commission can take formal action on how they would like me to respond.”

Spear was slated to spur discussion regarding Pyle’s “refusal to acknowledge or respond to several emails ... requesting commissioners be provided with a letter pertaining to the state auditor’s inquiry” during the Oct. 18 commission meeting. However, Spear requested the item be removed from the agenda at the beginning of the session.

Pyle said earlier this month two allegations against Curry County from 2012 are being looked into by the state auditor’s office. The issues, according to Pyle, are:

• A 2012 exchange of property between the county and Master Trim, allowing the county to expand its footprint around the county courthouse and county detention center and create flexibility for future renovations.

• A 2012-13 Community Development Block Grant, which funded the paving of portions of Curry Roads N and 11 north of 60/84 and west of Buffalo Road.