The purpose of this post is not to solicit sympathy, but to warn others that it is so very hard to get information here.

Thank you to the three people who were helpful, or at least did speak to me over the last week.

I set out to write a story about a renovation project upon which a City authority is embarking.

I called the Community Board, however, they would not answer questions but sent me to the Councilwoman’s office. I called her office and was told that the person working on the project was at the downtown office. I called him there. He was at a meeting and I left a message. Two more times over three days I called him while he was out or busy, leaving messages with the secretary each time. The third time I called I was told that he worked at the district office, but was given the number. When I spoke to him, he referred me to a number of different websites, one of which belonged to the Community Board.

I called the agency, as well. I left similar messages for the “community liaison” for the project and finally, after three days, she called me back. But I also called the public affairs office, which I had to reach by calling the president, you see, because the vice president of the specific division did not answer his phone, nor did a voice mail service come on the line. I also called the number for “ADA Compliance,” listed on this authority’s website, and discovered it not only to be the number for emergency services, but the message on the extension for “other inquiries” asked telemarketers not to call, and the extension for “customer care” cut the line. The authority has another 15 or so days to respond to my FOIL (Freedom of Information Law) request.

Staff at a State Assembly office “promised” she would call me back this afternoon. Well, I’m still waiting for my call. Staff at a second State Assembly office was helpful.

A State official’s office told me they would call with information I needed. I’m still waiting.

The architect involved could not speak to me without the go-ahead from the agency. That specific person is away from the office.