Arcadia, Ohio – Public Record Access & Potential Racial Discrimination

By Joshua Tolento, FFP Founder, NAHJ Member

Arcadia, Ohio – August 16, 2025 – In a small village like Arcadia, Ohio, where community ties run deep and local government is meant to serve its residents transparently, a recent public records request has sparked allegations of unequal treatment, potential hacking, and even racial discrimination. At the center of the controversy is a resident’s quest for access to village emails, a hefty fee quote for printed copies, and the mysterious appearance of private correspondence on social media.

The story begins with a public records request submitted by local resident Joshua James Tolento, who sought emails from specific date ranges spanning November 2023 through July 2025. Tolento, who identifies as half-Mexican with a Spanish surname, requested electronic versions of the documents pursuant to Ohio Revised Code (ORC) 149.43, the state’s public records law, which mandates that public offices provide records in the format requested if feasible and at actual cost.

Under ORC 149.43, public records must be made available promptly for inspection or copying, and electronic formats are preferred when available to minimize costs. The law allows for actual costs only—no markups for profit—and many public offices, per model policies from the Ohio Attorney General, charge nothing for emailed documents. Redactions for sensitive information are permitted, but they do not justify withholding electronic access entirely.

However, Village Clerk Amie Clouse responded with a quote of $547.75 for printed hardcopies, at $0.25 per page for 2,191 pages, plus additional fees for links and attachments. Clouse claimed electronic versions could not be provided “to protect public information,” insisting on printed copies that could be picked up at the village office or mailed at extra cost. She noted the village lacks an email server and deletion logs, further complicating the process.

Tolento, frustrated by what he views as an excessive barrier to access, followed up with Mayor Brian Fink via email, asserting his right to the records and refusing to “give up.” This private email to the mayor soon appeared on Facebook, posted by Aadam Duckett, the Village Council President, in a lengthy statement defending himself against accusations of harassment and unethical behavior. Duckett’s post, dated four days ago, included screenshots of Tolento’s email and accused unnamed individuals of spreading lies about him.

Duckett’s wife, Ashley Watkins Duckett, is believed to operate “The Arcadia Press,” a local news outlet founded in 2025 that positions itself as independent despite one volunteer’s affiliation with the village council. The Press also shared a statement two days ago clarifying that it does not hold political office and emphasizing transparency, while expressing disappointment in community members labeling its operators as “lazy” or unethical. The post highlighted the couple’s move to Arcadia as foster parents and their commitment to building a strong community.

The appearance of Tolento’s email on social media raises serious questions: Was Mayor Fink’s email account hacked? Or did the village provide electronic copies of the records to Duckett or his associates without charge, bypassing the restrictions imposed on Tolento? If the latter, how much—if anything—did they pay?

To investigate potential inconsistencies, Tolento submitted a follow-up records request on August 15, 2025, asking for:

1. All public record requests received by the Village of Arcadia from May 2025 to August 2025.
2. All fees received for those requests, itemized by individual request.
3. The current Public Record Access Policy.

This new request invokes ORC 149.43 again, demanding electronic versions within 30 days. As of today, no response has been received from the village.

Tolento has stated that if records show Duckett, his wife, or “The Arcadia Press” received electronic documents at no cost, he intends to pursue claims of racial discrimination. “As a half-Mexican resident with a Spanish last name, I’ve faced barriers that others seemingly haven’t,” Tolento said. “This isn’t just about records—it’s about equal treatment under the law.”

Village officials, including Duckett, have portrayed these events differently. In his Facebook post, Duckett described himself as a target of coordinated personal attacks, including harassment and false accusations, and emphasized his commitment to transparency and service. He referenced a recent council meeting where he allegedly defended himself against violations of public policy, such as a variance committee meeting in a private garage and safety concerns for children on village roads. Duckett urged Mayor Fink to remove him from his position if the attacks continue, stating, “I will not be pushed aside by bullies.”

“The Arcadia Press” echoed similar sentiments, denying any unethical actions and focusing on positive community contributions. However, critics, including articles from outlets like the Fostoria Free Press, have accused the Press of serving as a veil for government propaganda, highlighting tensions in small-town politics.

The Village of Arcadia’s official website lists Duckett as Council President and provides contact information for officials but offers no explicit public records policy or details on fees and electronic access. This lack of transparency contrasts with state guidelines, which encourage clear policies to ensure compliance with ORC 149.43.

As this situation unfolds, it highlights broader issues in rural Ohio governance: the balance between protecting sensitive information and ensuring public access, the role of social media in local disputes, and the potential for perceived favoritism in tight-knit communities. Tolento’s follow-up request could provide clarity on fees and access disparities, but until then, residents are left questioning whether this is a case of hacked accounts, selective enforcement, or something more systemic.

Joshua Tolento is a Fostoria native and managing director of Tolento Media Group. He has previously engaged in public records disputes with local governments and advocates for transparent access to information.