From: Maren DeWeese <jklmn246@gmail.

com>
Date: Wed, Jun 8, 2016 at 8:45 AM
Subject: Sunshine Law Charges
To: Eric Olson <EOlson@cityofpensacola.com>, ESisson@cityofpensacola.com
Gentlemen,
As you are most likely aware, yesterday I was informed by the City's Public Records
Coordinator that the reprimand of David Allen admitted to by Allen in his interview by Russell
VanSickle is no where to be found. The City informed me that there were "no records that match
your public records request".
I have reviewed David Allen's testimony to VanSickle which states the reprimand clearly
existed.
I have interviewed Joe Glover and he stated he witnessed the reprimand being given, the
document itself and the document being signed by Allen. If asked, he is prepared to testify to
such.
I have interviewed Matt Schmitt and he stated he gave Allen the reprimand and documented the
reprimand. Chief Schmitt stated he gave the document to Susan Cotton to place in "Allen's
jacket". If asked, he is prepared to testify to such
Let me be clear. All three involved state the incident occurred and two expressly state the
document was created.
I am giving the City until 3pm today to provide the document. At that time, I will make a
criminal complaint to the State Attorney's Office for a Sunshine Law violation.
Further, since a pay increase is associated with Allen's proposed appointment to Fire Chief and
the document would potentially be a document the Council would consider in determining that
appointment, I will also be asking the state attorney to determine if the "loss" or potential
destruction of the document would constitute a financial crime which exceeds felony thresholds.
Please produce the document admitted to by three City employees.
Maren DeWeese

06/07/2016
Maren DeWeese
2435 Semoran Drive
Pensacola FL 32503
RE: PUBLIC RECORDS REQUEST of 6/7/2016 for Reference # W001365-060716
Dear Maren DeWeese,
This letter responds to your public records request of 6/7/2016, for: I have confirmed with Chief
Glover the meeting in fact took place as Allen stated. Where is the reprimand?
The City of Pensacola has reviewed its files and has determined there are no records that
match your Public Records request as stated. This is an auto-generated response so please do
not reply to this email. The City of Pensacola Public Records office does not monitor requests
that have been closed.
We recommend that you make a new request, narrowing or revising your search. Please use
this link to return to the Sunshine Center. Log in and click on the "Submit Public Records
Request" tab.
If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact me directly at
publicrecords@cityofpensacola.com. I will be happy to provide assistance. It is the policy of the
City of Pensacola to acknowledge your request within 72 hours and process it in the order that it
is received.
Thank you for using the City of Pensacola Sunshine Center and have a great day.
Sincerely,
Maxwell Branham
Public Records Coordinator
City of Pensacola
222 W. Main Street
Pensacola, FL 32502
(850) 435-1715
publicrecords@cityofpensacola.com

06/07/2016
Maren DeWeese
2435 Semoran Drive
Pensacola FL 32503
RE: PUBLIC RECORDS REQUEST of 6/7/2016 Reference # W001365-060716 for the following
information:
I have confirmed with Chief Glover the meeting in fact took place as Allen stated. Where is the
reprimand?
Dear Maren DeWeese,
This letter responds to your public records request to the City of Pensacola, dated and received
on 6/7/2016.
The City of Pensacola has reviewed its files and has determined there are no responsive records
or documents to your request.
Consider refining your request to provide better results. If you have any questions or require
additional information please contact me directly at (850) 435-1715 or
publicrecords@cityofpensacola.com. Thank you for using the Sunshine Center.
Sincerely,

Maxwell Branham
Public Records Coordinator
City of Pensacola
222 W. Main Street
Pensacola, FL 32502
(850) 435-1715
publicrecords@cityofpensacola.com

From: Maren DeWeese <jklmn246@gmail.com>

Date: Mon, Jun 6, 2016 at 10:44 AM
Subject: Re: Public Records Request :: W001355-060116
To: City of Pensacola Public Records Office <PensacolaFL@mycusthelp.net>, Eric Olson
<EOlson@cityofpensacola.com>, ESisson@cityofpensacola.com
Sirs:
Withholding public records is a crime.
In his statement to VanSickle, Chief Allen states:
"so in February of 2015, I asked to and got an appointment with the Mayor and to express my
interest in the Fire Chief job and to let him know that I would like to be considered if in fact
Chief Schmitt retires and like that and the Mayor thanked me but apparently he contacted Chief
Schmitt and asked him is it true I hear that you are thinking about leaving in April and Chief
Schmitt took offense to that and called me into his office and told me that I had gone been
insubordinate gone around the chain of command and that I was being reprimanded for
that and then he brought up I cant remember the items because he didnt give me a copy
but but there were like three items in a row and I said - I said it was my understanding
Chief Glover by the way was in the room um it was my understanding that we have a
progressive discipline policy and that in order for you to get a second or third reprimand
you have to have gotten the first reprimand that you cant save three reprimands up and
give them all simultaneously and uh anyway he told me that thats how he was going to do
that."
These reprimands were not provided. Either proposed Chief Allen made false statements to
VanSickle, someone has destroyed the records or you are withholding public records.
I request an immediate response or I will be forced to ask the State Attorney's Office to
intervene.
Maren DeWeese

On Mon, Jun 6, 2016 at 9:01 AM, City of Pensacola Public Records Office
<PensacolaFL@mycusthelp.net> wrote:

--- Please respond above this line ---

06/06/2016
Maren DeWeese
2435 Semoran Drive
Pensacola FL 32503
RE: Public Records Request Received by City of Pensacola on 6/1/2016 Reference # W001355060116

Dear Maren DeWeese,

A.

Request for Public Records from Requestor

The City of Pensacola (City) received your written request for public records
on 6/1/2016 (Request) pursuant to the Florida Public Records Act, Chapter 119 of the Florida
Statutes (Act). Request states as follows:
All letters of reprimand issued to Chief David Allen included in his employee file.
B.

Release of Responsive Public Records to Requestor

As of June 6, 2016, City has made available for inspection copies of public records responsive to
Request on the City of Pensacola Sunshine Center.
C.
Redactions of Portions of Responsive Records Permitted by Law; Applicable
Exemptions
City asserts parts of the records requested are exempt from inspection and copying and states the
statutory bases as follows:
Section 166.0444, Florida Statutes, pertaining to employee assistance programs.
Should you have any further questions or inquiries regarding Request please contact me by
telephone at (850) 435-1715 or email at mbranham@cityofpensacola.com and I will be most glad
to assist you.

Sincerely,
Maxwell Branham
Public Records Coordinator
City of Pensacola
222 W. Main Street
Pensacola, FL 32502
(850) 435-1715
publicrecords@cityofpensacola.com