Subject: Detailed Description of Fulton, Georgia: Sample Letter for Appeal Citing Freedom of Information Act Dear [Recipient's Name], I hope this letter finds you in good health and high spirits. I am writing to formally appeal and request the compliance of my Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request, which was recently denied by your respective department [Name of Department] in Fulton, Georgia. As a responsible citizen, I firmly believe in the principles of transparency and accountability within our governing bodies. The FOIA, enacted in 1966, serves as a crucial tool for citizens to access public information and ensure accountability from our elected officials. Therefore, I am appealing the denial in accordance with the provisions laid out in the FOIA. Specifically, my initial FOIA request, submitted on [Date], was seeking information regarding [Description of Information Requested]. Despite my adherence to the required procedures and providing justifications for the request, I received a letter denying access to the requested information citing [Reasons for Denial]. However, I firmly believe that the denial was unfounded and arbitrary, and hence, I am appealing this decision. It is important to note that my appeal is based on the grounds that the denial of my request does not align with the principles and spirit of the FOIA. The legislation is explicitly designed to provide citizens with access to government records and information, barring only certain exemptions. I firmly believe that the requested information does not fall under any such exemptions and should rightly be released for public scrutiny. Moreover, the denial did not provide adequate justification or reasoning for the decision, as required by the FOIA. Per the act, I am entitled to know the specific exemption(s) under which the denial is made. Therefore, I kindly request your department to review my appeal and provide a detailed explanation within the required time frame, as outlined by the FOIA. If necessary, I am open to discussing this matter further or providing any additional information that may assist in the reconsideration process. I urge you to give this appeal the attention it deserves and honor the principles of transparency, accountability, and citizen empowerment that the FOIA upholds. In summary, I am appealing the denial of my FOIA request and kindly request your department to reconsider its decision, providing a comprehensive explanation of the exemption(s) utilized to justify the denial, in accordance with the FOIA guidelines. I trust that you will accord my appeal the utmost importance and ensure the timely release of the requested information. Thank you for your attention to this matter, and I eagerly await your prompt response. Sincerely, [Your Name] [Your Address] [City, State, ZIP Code] [Contact Details: Phone Number, Email]
Para su conveniencia, debajo del texto en español le brindamos la versión completa de este formulario en inglés. For your convenience, the complete English version of this form is attached below the Spanish version.