No HOA or Civic Association Concerns about Friends of the Library Funds

In her e-mail to Terry Maynard of December 18, 2014, Chairman Bulova wrote the following paragraph (part of which is emphasized here):

I can assure you that the Board of Supervisors, in responding to the Federation’s request, was in no way seeking retribution against the Friends groups. Our Board values the service the Friends provide, and appreciates the significant contributions they make to the FCPL system. Having an independent review of both the internal Gift Fund and funds held by the Friends groups will help us to demonstrate accountability to the civic and homeowner associations that have raised concerns.

The highlighted part suggests that some homeowner or civic associations had "raised concerns" about the management of funds by the various Friends of the Library groups.  We have already established that the FCFCA did not make such a request; in fact, the phrase "Friends of the Library" does not appear in their letter or resolution sent to Chairman Bulova.

On Sunday, December 21, 2014, Mr. Maynard submitted an e-mail request under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (VFOIA) for all County records showing that these groups "have raised concerns."  Today, Tuesday, December 23, 2014, he received the following response:

• From:  Smith, Emily

• Today at 10:48 AM

• To:  Terry Maynard

Mr. Maynard,

   Pursuant to the Virginia Freedom of Information Act, Va. Code Ann. §§ 2.2-3700 to -3714 (2011 & Supp. 2014), this letter is in response to your December 21, 2014 Virginia Freedom of Information Act request for “all County records in which any Fairfax County civic or homeowner association has raised a concern about how any of the Fairfax County Friends of the Library groups manages its funds over the last five years.”  Pursuant to Va. Code Ann. § 2.2-3704.B.3, please be advised that there are no records responsive to your request.

Emily Harwood Smith
Assistant County Attorney

Office of the County Attorney
12000 Government Center Parkway, Suite 549
Fairfax, Virginia 22035-0064
Telephone:  (703) 324-2421
Facsimile:  (703) 324-2665

Email:  emily.smith2@fairfaxcounty.gov

In short, there has been no request from any homeowner or civic group in the County for an audit of the Friends of the Library groups.  The decision to include the Friends of the Library groups in the Board's motion for the County to audit the Public Library was a unilateral action by Chairman Bulova, not in response to a request.