I've been advised by the List Manager to bring this story to your attention.
Two weeks ago, my employer sent me to the Planning Department to look at and photocopy
Heritage Preservation files for a project my firm is working on. I am former employee
of the Planning Department and used to manage these very same files; therefore, I know
them well, and my current employer thinks it best to send me.
I was confronted right at the file cabinet by the current HPC supervisor (he used to
be the supervisor in charge of the New Zoning Code). Even though I'd made an
appointment and received HPC staff permission, the supervisor fired questions as to
why I was there, what project I was working on, who had hired my firm for this and
what they were going to do with the information, were NRP dollars involved, was the
HPC included in my firm's contract, etc. I couldn't answer every question and this man
became angry.
After I left, he apparently grilled HPC staff about why I was there and asked the same
questions. They smoothed it over as well as they could and told me that the next time
I should just say what this guy wants to hear.
I was also informed by the Planning Department management that they were concerned
that I was photocopying files "for an inappropriate purpose" and that I was not
allowed to be in the Planning Department looking at files unless I was working for the
HPC. (?) I said, "I don't work for the HPC anymore, I work for my boss." The answer I
got was, "You know what I mean. Only if you're gathering information on a project that
the HPC is also working on. Any other reason is not appropriate for you to be here."
I do believe I have been suspected of theft. But, aren't these files PUBLIC
INFORMATION? Even if I were there for my own purposes, don't I have that right as a
citizen?
I've mentioned this insulting and humiliating episode to other researchers, inside and
outside my firm. No one reports being confronted or challenged as I was. No one else
reports having this new policy (if that's what it is) with its bizarre restriction
placed on them. Everyone expresses horror that:
1) this could have implications for other researchers requesting gov't information,
2) that I would be treated so shabbily after all my hard work in that department.
I wish to thank these researchers for their advice and for their defense of my
character.
Ironically, the position I vacated at the Planning Department almost a year ago has
not been filled. Anyone out there got nerves of steel?
Kristine Harley
Sheridan Neighborhood
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