The Ludington Torch
Local Health Department Denies Covid Death Records
I patiently awaited a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) response from the local district health department (DHD#10) I made and referenced in an article noting that they were closed eleven straight days in the midst of the worst period of the Covid-19 pandemic in our area. Their fuzzy math said they had until January 21 to respond to my request for records, the statute said I was due a response by later than January 15th. I received a response on the 21st, with absolutely zero records, it noted in relevant part:
"Your request for District Health Department #10 records related to COVID-19 deaths in Mason County was logged as received on December 22, 2020. We determined the records you requested are not owned nor possessed by this agency and are not an agency public record (MCL 15.233 (4) and (5))."
In the formal denial, it said effectively the same thing, morphing my specific requests into "All records referencing 15 COVID-19 deaths in Mason County as of 12/20/20." The record shows that their declaration that no such records exist has no merit.
TV station WPBN had a May 5th news report featuring DHD#10's Medical Director Jennifer Morse (pictured above) telling the reporter:
DHD#10 received notification that a Mason County resident, a male in his 60’s who tested positive for COVID-19, died on October 9.
"DHD#10 received notification that a Mason County resident, a male in his 70’s who tested positive for COVID-19, died on October 27."
When a Covid death occurs, it is only about 20% likely that DHD#10 will be open, so if hospitals report covid deaths within two hours, they cannot call or drop in at DHD#10 and relate all of the particulars by voice, they must create a 'written' record and transmit that in some way electronically, even if it is by voice mail, text, messenger, etc.
Thus, these hospital reports and notifications are writings and available to the public either in whole or in part, depending on the information in those reports and notifications. They refer to the fifteen deaths that had happened in Mason County and are responsive to my request, even those two press releases above could be said to be responsive to my request.
Upon receiving this denial, I sent a FOIA appeal to the head of DHD#10, Kevin Hughes (pictured above), explaining how the denial was contradictory to the statements said by Ms. Morse and the press releases when the FOIA is applied. I further explained that if these hospital reports/notifications were destroyed, that I would need to see DHD#10's policies for the destruction of public records like these so as to gauge whether something inappropriate was happening.
It's frightening to think that the local public health agency responsible for keeping track of local Covid statistics and the overall public health does not have any written records referencing anything about the 15 deaths that happened in Mason County up to December 20th, 2020. It's more than frightening, it's disgraceful. Let's hope that Kevin Hughes understands that he runs a public agency that has a responsibility for maintaining the public records his agency uses. All of the statistics and policies derived from these missing reports and notifications must be looked at with suspicion.
XLFD
Lake Lady,
I really appreciate your outtake and opinion of the two issues you mention that are coming up at the city council meeting on Monday.
Former Councilor Joe Lenius' decided that it wasn't important enough for him to mention that his daughter is leading this project with her LLC in the council and Finance Committee meetings that this first came up, ergo there has been nothing in the minutes noting that connection other than my comments at the end of an October meeting noting this impropriety. I can never figure out why so many Ludington officials decline to make their own conflicts of interest known before these things go public, but I do appreciate the material to write about on the Ludington Torch. It always helps me realize how corrupt the rest of the city government is when they rush to the defense of such improprieties. It would be nice to see this downtown corner redeveloped, but it's a project initiated with deceit.
The other item is coming in front of the council for consideration, Mitch has given no recommendation either way. In his letter to the COL, the Princess proprietor Al Laaksonen, mentions some development taking place at their old dock, doesn't indicate whether he has looked at other docking options available, and leaves out any mention of financial remuneration for the privilege of conducting his private business on a public facility. I think this is far from a done deal, particularly if the cruise ship idea is still floating along.
Jan 24, 2021
Willy
Here are some photos for those not familiar with the Princess of Ludington, which was formerly named the Island Princess.
Jan 26, 2021
Josh Wayman
It’s worth mentioning that the photos you shared, Willy (no disrespect intended), seem to be from when the Princess first moved to that location. Since then, the property owner made significant upgrades last summer. The dockage area and parking lot are now in excellent condition, providing much safer and more convenient access for the tour boat, passengers, and customers. I personally complimented the property owner on their hard work. However, I heard that the Princess owner, true to their usual attitude, responded with a lot of insults and complaints instead. chiropractor Richmond Hill
Dec 11