Iowa Public Information Board Executive Director Eckley:
1. Introduction
This letter serves as a formal rebuttal to your May 6, 2025, correspondence regarding the proposed withdrawal of my historical public record requests involving Jasper County, Iowa. I am deeply concerned by the tone and implications of your request, and I must respectfully reject the proposal in its entirety.
Your email suggests that by voluntarily withdrawing my historical record requests to various Jasper County departments. At the same time, absolving Jasper County, IA, of any responsibility regarding the evidence of its multiple-year disregard of numerous public records requests. Additionally, the Iowa Public Information Board (IPIB) would simultaneously absolve itself of responsibility to address the multiple complaints I filed due to those entities’ persistent noncompliance that evidence shows the IPIB disregarded. I would then be provided access to public records that were requested in correspondence provided during IPIB complaint 25FC:0014. This appears to be a form of quid pro quo — a proposition that undermines the statutory protections afforded under Iowa Code Chapter 22 and conflicts with the core mission of the IPIB in accordance with Iowa Code Chapter 23.
I remind the IPIB that the foundation of open records law in Iowa is not dependent on convenience or deference to government entities but rather the public’s fundamental right to transparency and accountability. My requests were made in good faith in accordance with Iowa Code Section 22.4(2.) and were met with disregard, delay, and, in numerous instances, complete silence — violations that I believe deserve investigation and resolution, not dismissal.
I respectfully request that the IPIB fulfill its obligation to investigate each of the pending complaints I submitted. To allow Jasper County, IA, to escape scrutiny by leveraging a withdrawal proposal in exchange for access to public records is not only unethical; it sets a dangerous precedent for other government bodies to evade compliance.
I remain open to dialogue but cannot accept any arrangement that sacrifices accountability or bypasses the statutory enforcement duties of the IPIB.
2. Strategic Analysis of the 06 MAY 2025 Proposed Informal Resolution
Original Proposal from IPIB Executive Director Eckley (May 6, 2025):
“I have been reviewing this matter and it appears there may be a simple solution to resolve this complaint. I propose the following:
- Mr. Merritt agrees to withdraw his records request concerning Mr.Jon Dunwell and any subsequent unresolved requests to the County that may exist to this point;
- In exchange, Jasper County will provide the current request for the Office 365 Invoice free of charge to Mr. Merritt.
- Upon receipt of the invoice, the complaint will be considered resolved.
Please let me know if these terms are acceptable to both Jasper County and Mr. Merritt.”
Iowa Public Information Board Executive Director Erika Eckley, 06 MAY 2025
The evidence supports the conclusion that both IPIB Executive Director Erika Eckley and Jasper County, IA, Attorney Scott Nicholson are actively proposing an informal resolution designed to circumvent accountability. The terms would effectively absolve both Jasper County, IA, and the Iowa Public Information Board of responsibility for multiple years of unfulfilled records requests and IPIB complaints — in exchange for granting the originator of this correspondence access to public records that are already guaranteed by Iowa Code Chapter 22.
3. “This for That” Structure:
• This: “Mr. Merritt agrees to withdraw his records request concerning Mr.Jon Dunwell and any subsequent unresolved requests to the County that may exist to this point;“
• For That: “In exchange, Jasper County will provide the current request for the Office 365 Invoice free of charge to Mr. Merritt.“
This conditional exchange is not a “resolution” — it is an attempt to avoid accountability under the guise of compromise.
4. The Cipher Hunter’s Proposed Lawful Resolution:
Jasper County, IA, can either:
1. Provide the requested Microsoft 365 billing statements along with the requested historical correspondence showing any fees I allegedly failed to pay;
2. Or, Jasper County, IA can present those records in court.
Legal Disclaimer: The included YouTube video serves as an allegorical representation of what I believe to be Executive Director Erika Eckley’s repeated attempts to reframe unethical and potentially discriminatory conduct as lawful administrative practice.
Respectfully,
Michael J. Merritt, USN, Retired
Founder: phoenixharbor.net
Creative Writer/Musician
Information Warfare Specialist
Information Systems Manager
2510 S 6th ST D24
Marshalltown, IA 50158
(641)-387-9935
pyrebird@phoenixharbor.net