June 16, 1999



Mr. Edward J. Renford
President and CEO
Fulton Dekalb Hospital Authority
80 Butler Street, S.E.
Atlanta, Georgia 30303

Dear Mr. Renford:

     I am writing on behalf of the Georgia First Amendment Foundation.  We are an organization that seeks to advance the cause of open government and monitors freedom of information issues throughout this state.

      Representative Sharon Trense has brought to our attention her concerns that you have not yet produced any records pursuant to her March 3, 1999 Open Records Request.  On March 10, 1999, one of your staff attorneys, Michael Spotts, sent a letter to Ms. Trense promising that Grady would produce the document in two weeks.  That was over three months ago and I understand that Ms. Trense still has not received any documents.

     As Georgia's Open Records Act recognizes, public officials have a responsibility to promptly respond -- within three business days -- to requests for readily identifiable public records of the sort requested here.  We would appreciate an explanation of what you are doing to remedy Grady's evidently defiant conduct in this regard.

                                                            Sincerely,



                                                            Hollie Manheimer
                                                            Executive Director


cc:  GFAF Board of Directors