chrislkeller/README.md

## README.md

      
    Raw
  

              README.md
            
          
    Snippets: Creating a FOIA

This is a super simple shell script that takes boilerplate FOIA language and creates a markdown file that can be addressed to a particular agency.
You will still have to add the address, city, state and zip code of the agency, and the type of data being requested, but this is a step up from having a file that I copy and paste from.
The script takes a filename as an argument. That filename will have the date prepended to it so you can see at a glance which were sent out when.
Usage


Drop the script in your $HOME directory or in a scripts directory if you have one.


I created an alias in my .bashrc pointing to the script:
  alias foia='cd ~/Programming/2kpcc/data-projects/1_foia_letters && ~/Programming/1personal/9shell-scripts/foia-generator.sh'


To run, I open a terminal and type foia name-of-data-being-requested


Webpage

I tried converting this concept to a webform, and I think it might work a bit better. I plan on abstracting it out a bit further so it's useful to more people.

  
## foia-generator.sh
#!/bin/bash

# date variable
DATE="$(date +"%m-%d-%y")"

# input for newfile
NAME_OF_FOIA_LETTER="$1"

# name for newfile
OUTPUT_FILE="$DATE-$NAME_OF_FOIA_LETTER.md"

# create markdown FOIA
echo "Creating $NAME_OF_FOIA_LETTER FOIA letter"
cat <<EOF >$OUTPUT_FILE
**$DATE**

ADDRESS  $line
STREET  $line
CITY, STATE, ZIP CODE  $line

**RE**: Public records request for NAME OF RECORD

**To Whom It May Concern**:

Under the California Public Records Act (Government Code Section 6250 et seq.), I ask to obtain a copy of the following records or data sets which I understand to be held by your agency:

>*DATA TO BE REQUESTED HERE*

I ask for a determination on this request within 10 days of receipt, or sooner should you make a determination without review of the record(s) in question.

If you determine that any or all or the information if exempt, I would like to know if the exemption is discretionary, if it's necessary to exercise discretion in this case and a signed notification citing the legal authorities used to determine the records are exempt.

Should some but not all of the information be exempt from disclosure -- and you intend to withhold it -- I ask that you redact it for the time being and make the rest available as requested.

Please notify me of any duplication costs that will exceed \$10.00. If I can provide any clarification or answer any questions, my contact information is below.

Thanks in advance and take care.

Sincerely:

Chris Keller  $line
Data Journalist/News Applications Developer  $line
Southern California Public Radio  $line
**Web**: scpr.org  $line
**Email**: ckeller@scpr.org  $line
**Desk**: (626) 583-5214  $line

EOF

open $OUTPUT_FILE
	#!/bin/bash

	# date variable
	DATE="$(date +"%m-%d-%y")"

	# input for newfile
	NAME_OF_FOIA_LETTER="$1"

	# name for newfile
	OUTPUT_FILE="$DATE-$NAME_OF_FOIA_LETTER.md"

	# create markdown FOIA
	echo "Creating $NAME_OF_FOIA_LETTER FOIA letter"
	cat <<EOF >$OUTPUT_FILE
	$DATE

	ADDRESS $line
	STREET $line
	CITY, STATE, ZIP CODE $line

	RE: Public records request for NAME OF RECORD

	To Whom It May Concern:

	Under the California Public Records Act (Government Code Section 6250 et seq.), I ask to obtain a copy of the following records or data sets which I understand to be held by your agency:

	>DATA TO BE REQUESTED HERE

	I ask for a determination on this request within 10 days of receipt, or sooner should you make a determination without review of the record(s) in question.

	If you determine that any or all or the information if exempt, I would like to know if the exemption is discretionary, if it's necessary to exercise discretion in this case and a signed notification citing the legal authorities used to determine the records are exempt.

	Should some but not all of the information be exempt from disclosure -- and you intend to withhold it -- I ask that you redact it for the time being and make the rest available as requested.

	Please notify me of any duplication costs that will exceed \$10.00. If I can provide any clarification or answer any questions, my contact information is below.

	Thanks in advance and take care.

	Sincerely:

	Chris Keller $line
	Data Journalist/News Applications Developer $line
	Southern California Public Radio $line
	Web: scpr.org $line
	Email: ckeller@scpr.org $line
	Desk: (626) 583-5214 $line

	EOF

	open $OUTPUT_FILE