[nfbmi-talk] nfbmfeb 18 rally FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE.dot

Fri Mar 19 01:38:33 UTC 2010

Press Release attached.  Also below 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 18, 2010

CONTACT:           Larry Posont, President, National Federation of the Blind
of Michigan 517-482-1800 or 313-727-3546 cellpresident.nfb.mi at gmail.com
www.nfbmi.org

Blind Citizens to Rally at Blind Commission Meeting: Demand rehire of
Christine Boone and David Robinson - Reform of Agency

Dearborn Heights, Michigan - On Friday March19, 2010, blind people will
Gather at 9:00 am at the office of the Michigan Commission for the Blind for
its Quarterly meeting, 201 N. Washington Square, Lansing, MI, with a rally
outside at 12 noon, to voice their outrage at the unwarranted, unfair and
maliciously motivated firings of David Robinson and Christine Boone.  In
addition, the Federation members will be asking the Governor to open up the
appointment process for Commission Board members to the public.  They will
demand transparency in the application, review and appointment process.

The Federation will have a 45 minute block, at 10:30 am, on the agenda of
the Michigan Commission for the Blind Board meeting to express its concerns.
In addition members will make public comments expressing their opinions on
Commission matters.  Presenters will raise issues about Boone's and
Robinson's firings, alleged corruption in the hearings process for the
Business Enterprise Program and the ineffectiveness of the Commission Board
in directing and overseeing the activities of Patrick Cannon, the Director
of the Michigan Commission for the Blind.  The Federation believes that
Cannon has inappropriate and undue influence in the appointment process for
Commission for the Blind members.  

"Cannon tells the Governor what he wants and she rubber stamps it.  He is
able to pick his boss and then fire them when he doesn't like what they do,"
commented Michael Powell, first Vice President of the Federation.  "Governor
Granholm has made ethics a priority in her administration.  In our view, the
appointment process is not transparent.  We cannot find out who is in
consideration and who supports or opposes them.  Cannon has exploited this
system to bully and intimidate Commissioners to fit his needs.  Any state
official making more than $100,000 ought to be accountable to someone for
his actions."

The Federation a ledges that Patrick Cannon, the Director of the Michigan
Commission for the Blind and the only lower level member of the Governor's
Cabinet is using his influence to bully, intimidate and control the
Commission Board, his supervision, Commission employees and clients of the
agency, including blind entrepreneurs in the Business Enterprise Program.
"The man is out of control and no one is willing to take charge of his
outrageous behavior," commented Larry Posont, President of the National
Federation of the Blind of Michigan...

Christine Boone, the former Director of the Michigan Commission for the
Blind Training Center, was fired after she had worked to develop a
successful and valuable marksmanship program at the Michigan Commission for
the Blind Training Center in Kalamazoo.  The marksmanship program was
designed to build positive attitudes among blind Michigan citizens who have
a deep-rooted hunting tradition.  

Several Training Center students are expected to attend the Friday Board
meeting and rally.

"When someone who has hunted and fished all their life loses their eyesight,
they feel less of a person.  To learn that shooting is still a viable
recreational option is encouraging and makes a person think that if I can do
this, I can probably do a lot of things I didn't think I could," commented
Roxanna Mann, a current student at the Michigan Commission for the Blind
Training Center and a former participant in the marksman program. Mann
commented, "We love Christine Boone.  She believes in us and is an
inspiration."

Cannon alleged that Boone had not sought proper approvals and that it was
illegal to have pellet guns on state property, though Boone had checked with
the Michigan State police and the Kalamazoo City Police prior to setting up
the program.  According to state law, a pellet gun is not a "firearm."  

The National Federation of the blind of michigan (NFBM) is a proud affiliate
of the

National Federation of the Blind. Originally founded in 1941, the NFBM has
been a

Leader in advocacy and has worked tirelessly to change what it means to be
blind

In Michigan. Among our accomplishments: bringing NFB-NEWSLINER to Michigan,
establishing

The Michigan Commission for the Blind, white cane legislation, Braille
literacy for

Blind children legislation, and much more.

Pr newswire 106857Michigan state policy micro

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