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Ghent residents sue over unanswered FOIL request

Oct 08, 2013 5:43 am
Two residents of Ghent residents have commenced an Article 78 proceeding against Columbia County in connection with the county’s failure to disclose public records related to Columbia County Airport and the proposed plans to acquire lands abutting the airport. In a statement released Mon., Oct. 7, Ken Dow, attorney for petitioners Michael Schrom and Kevin Delahanty, said, “It is regrettable when citizens must commence proceedings in the courts to extract lawful conduct from their governmental officials....” Schrom and Delahanty filed a Freedom of Information Request on Aug. 21, and the county has failed to produce a single record or document in response. Dow said the county has received other FOIL requests for very similar airport-related information since February, and has disclosed almost nothing to date. Nathan Mayberg reports in the Register Star county Board of Supervisors Chairman Patrick Grattan has announced an informal meeting open to the public will be held Wed., Oct. 9, on the airport issue and the possibility of pursuing eminent domain. County Economic Development Commissioner Ken Flood and Columbia County Sheriff’s Office Lieutenant Thomas Lanphear will answer questions about the airport and its operations. The meeting will be held at 401 State Street in Hudson.