Subject: Open Records Request
Date: Wed, 2 Jul 2003 11:30:40 -0400
From: "Volpe, Peter" <pvolpe@masslottery.com>
To: "Dawn Nettles" <lottoreport@lottoreport.com>
Cc: "McIntyre, Charles" <cmcintyre@masslottery.com>

Ms. Nettles,

You recently transmitted an 'Open Records Request' to Mr. Paul McConville. It has been forwarded to myself for a response. Please provide the following information to assist me:

1. If you are looking for data from the Massachusetts State Lottery Commission, please indicate such. Your query is to Mr. Paul McConville as an individual.

2. Please be advised that under the Massachusetts Public Records Statutes there may be applicable copying and search time fees charged for the response. Please verify that you wish to proceed with this request, despite the cost.

3. Please clarify as to whether your request is for yourself as an individual or if you are a representative of 'The Lotto Report' Publication as your email address and telephone number suggest?

In anticipation of your responses, I am beginning to review the individual items you requested. Please be aware that the timing is concurrent with the very busy end of our fiscal year. I will, however do my best to respond promptly.

Thank you,
Peter Volpe
Financial Control Manager
Massachusetts State Lottery Commission

Telephone 781 - 849 - 5555 ex 312
Email pvolpe@masslottery.com
Fax 781 - 849 - 5554

What is significant about this message?

First, it shouldn't matter if I am an individual or a publication
making this request. "Open Government" doesn't discriminate.

Second, why is it so important that I re-address my request?
It went to the the Assistant Director of the Mass. Lottery
and indicated it was an "Open Records Request." Do they
really expect the general public to know who the correct
person is and will they reject requests simply because
it was addressed wrong?

Third, "despite the cost" ... Gawd ... scared me to death!
Why would they need to charge for copies? Email requires
no reproductions. Not only that, but the request was not
really that much. If it were, then how come Texas and all
the other states provide the same info so easily. Anyway,
the information, except the unclaimed prize figures, is readily
available in spreadsheet format through the Mega Millions
folks. Someone HAS to maintain this information.

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