To make a request, contact:
Joe Harris, Senior Director, Communications
c/o Virginia Port Authority
101 W. Main Street, Suite 600
Norfolk, VA 23510
(757) 683-2137
jharris@portofvirginia.com
The Rights of Requestors and the Responsibilities of The Virginia Port Authority under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act.
The Virginia Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), located § 2.2-3700 et seq. of the Code of Virginia, guarantees citizens of the Commonwealth and representatives of the media access to public records held by public bodies, public officials, and public employees. A public record is any writing or recording — regardless of whether it is a paper record, an electronic file, an audio or video recording, or any other format — that is prepared or owned by, or in the possession of a public body or its officers, employees or agents in the transaction of public business. All public records are presumed to be open, and may only be withheld if a specific, statutory exemption applies. The policy of FOIA states that the purpose of FOIA is to promote an increased awareness by all persons of governmental activities. In furthering this policy, FOIA requires that the law be interpreted liberally, in favor of access, and that any exemption allowing public records to be withheld must be interpreted narrowly.
You may request records by U.S. mail, fax, e-mail, in person or over the phone. Your request must identify the records you are seeking, and you must ask for existing records or documents. FOIA does not apply to a situation where individuals can ask general questions about the work of The Virginia Port Authority, nor does it require The Virginia Port Authority to create a record that does not exist.