[nfbmi-talk] they are still jawboning about role ofcommission now?

Elizabeth lizmohnke at hotmail.com
Wed May 5 05:11:13 UTC 2010 

Again, we will just have to agree to disagree as the information he is providing to the list does not appear to be anything new. In fact, most of the messages he is posting are simply messages that are addressed to someone else. If the messages are not addressing the members of the list, then I do not see any need for them to be posted on this list.

 

Respectfully,

Elizabeth
 
> From: goodfolks at charter.net
> To: nfbmi-talk at nfbnet.org
> Date: Tue, 4 May 2010 22:37:23 -0500
> Subject: Re: [nfbmi-talk] they are still jawboning about role ofcommission now?
> 
> I don't think he's trying to use vinegar, Elizabeth, I think he's just 
> trying to make you and others aware of the lie that has been perpetrated on 
> the blind of Michigan for many years. We talk about taking action, well, 
> he's giving you the amunition to be able to do so. Use it and your own 
> information to make or take a stand with regard to the MCB director and it's 
> policies and make it happen.
> 
> Fred Olver
> 
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Elizabeth" <lizmohnke at hotmail.com>
> To: <nfbmi-talk at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Tuesday, May 04, 2010 10:21 PM
> Subject: Re: [nfbmi-talk] they are still jawboning about role ofcommission 
> now?
> 
> 
> >
> > Hello Joe,
> >
> > Since it appears as though you do not appreciate receiving my messages as 
> > much as I do not appreciate receiving your messages, then perhaps we 
> > should agree to disagree. If you feel as though you have a right to post 
> > your messages, then I should have the same right to respond to them. 
> > However, for the record, I do not appreciate seeing trolls take over an 
> > email list, and would like to see those who are in charge of the list to 
> > set some guidelines for the list. As the saying goes, You can catch more 
> > bees with honey than you can with vinegar.
> >
> > Respectfully,
> > Elizabeth
> >
> >> From: joeharcz at comcast.net
> >> To: nfbmi-talk at nfbnet.org
> >> Date: Tue, 4 May 2010 21:24:42 -0400
> >> Subject: Re: [nfbmi-talk] they are still jawboning about role of 
> >> commission now?
> >>
> >> Are many on the list aware of important information like this or other
> >> relevant ininformation in latter years in funding including by the way
> >> funding for postsecondary ed? If you look carefully at the reports over 
> >> the
> >> years you will see that while in some years aggregate spending might just
> >> increase the numbers of blind persons actually funded to go to college or
> >> other postsecondary programs have gone down...But you'll be happy to know
> >> that Administrative spending as percentage has pretty much gone up year 
> >> in
> >> and year out.
> >>
> >> Another thing Elizabeth and with all do respect I have a mother already 
> >> and
> >> I really don't appreciate it for being chastised in a condescending tone
> >> over and over again. It is not productive and it is not respectful. It is
> >> also simply not productive whatsoever.
> >>
> >> Joe
> >> MCB RSA Annual Review Report FY 2007From
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> In FY 2007 MCB used $17,503,634 for its VR program, an increase of 1.98%.
> >> Compared to the prior year, the use of funds for administration increased 
> >> by
> >> 19.83%
> >>
> >> and the use of funds for all client services decreased by 3.58%. Of the
> >> funds used for client services, 72.23% was used for services provided
> >> directly
> >>
> >> by the agency and 27.77% was used for services purchased from other
> >> providers.
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> Table 21. Funds used
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> Table with 5 columns and 6 rows
> >>
> >> Type of funds
> >>
> >> FY 2007
> >>
> >> Increase or decrease from prior year
> >>
> >> Percent of agency total
> >>
> >> National average for blind agencies
> >>
> >> Administrative
> >>
> >> $4,885,285
> >>
> >> +808,375
> >>
> >> 27.91%
> >>
> >> 17.81%
> >>
> >> Total all client services
> >>
> >> $12,618,349
> >>
> >> -468,571
> >>
> >> 72.09%
> >>
> >> 82.19%
> >>
> >> Agency-provided services
> >>
> >> $9,114,617
> >>
> >> -1,854,543
> >>
> >> 52.07%
> >>
> >> 47.38%
> >>
> >> Purchased services
> >>
> >> $3,503,732
> >>
> >> +1,385,972
> >>
> >> 20.02%
> >>
> >> 34.81%
> >>
> >> Total funds used
> >>
> >> $17,503,634
> >>
> >> +339,804
> >>
> >> 100.00%
> >>
> >> 100.00%
> >>
> >> table end
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> Unused funds of $1,711,233 were available for carryover to FY 2008.
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> C. Expenditures on services
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> Of the $12,618,349 used on client services, 32.07% or $4,046,094 was used 
> >> on
> >> services to groups. The following table provides the remaining 
> >> expenditures
> >>
> >> on services provided to individuals, whether purchased or provided 
> >> directly
> >> by MCB.
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> Table 22. Services provided to individuals
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> Table with 5 columns and 12 rows
> >>
> >> Service
> >>
> >> FY 2007
> >>
> >> Increase or decrease from prior year
> >>
> >> Percent of agency total
> >>
> >> National average for blind agencies
> >>
> >> Assessment, counseling, guidance, and placement provided by MCB personnel
> >>
> >> $1,854,601
> >>
> >> -257,814
> >>
> >> 14.70%
> >>
> >> 32.70%
> >>
> >> Assessment (purchased only)
> >>
> >> $800,746
> >>
> >> +101,897
> >>
> >> 6.35%
> >>
> >> 2.45%
> >>
> >> Placement (purchased only)
> >>
> >> $84,381
> >>
> >> -72,958
> >>
> >> 0.67%
> >>
> >> 1.77%
> >>
> >> Treatment of physical and mental impairments
> >>
> >> $55,866
> >>
> >> -60,855
> >>
> >> 0.44%
> >>
> >> 7.30%
> >>
> >> Postsecondary education
> >>
> >> $965,463
> >>
> >> +348,848
> >>
> >> 7.65%
> >>
> >> 4.74%
> >>
> >> Other training and education
> >>
> >> $396,091
> >>
> >> -2,893,315
> >>
> >> 3.14%
> >>
> >> 22.00%
> >>
> >> Assistance with living expenses
> >>
> >> $156,179
> >>
> >> +56,703
> >>
> >> 1.24%
> >>
> >> 2.71%
> >>
> >> Transportation
> >>
> >> $109,677
> >>
> >> +105,574
> >>
> >> 0.87%
> >>
> >> 1.41%
> >>
> >> Personal assistance, reader, or interpreter services
> >>
> >> $48,351
> >>
> >> -98,657
> >>
> >> 0.38%
> >>
> >> 0.58%
> >>
> >> All other services
> >>
> >> $886,978
> >>
> >> +180,246
> >>
> >> 7.03%
> >>
> >> 10.62%
> >>
> >> Total expenditures on services provided to individuals
> >>
> >> $8,572,255
> >>
> >> +623,591
> >>
> >> 67.93%
> >>
> >> 87.90%
> >>
> >> table end
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> Of the $12,618,349 used on client services, 3.30% or $416,482 was used on
> >> rehabilitation technology services.
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> ----- Original Message ----- 
> >> From: "Elizabeth" <lizmohnke at hotmail.com>
> >> To: <nfbmi-talk at nfbnet.org>
> >> Sent: Tuesday, May 04, 2010 8:27 PM
> >> Subject: Re: [nfbmi-talk] they are still jawboning about role of 
> >> commission
> >> now?
> >>
> >>
> >> >
> >> > Hello Joe,
> >> >
> >> > Many of us on the list are aware of the things that have been discussed 
> >> > at
> >> > the Michigan Commission for the Blind board meetings over the past few
> >> > years. Furthermore, the minutes of these board meetings can easily be
> >> > found on the Michigan Commission for the Blind website for anyone to 
> >> > read.
> >> > I ask that you please keep this in mind when posting to the list.
> >> >
> >> > Thanks,
> >> > Elizabeth
> >> >
> >> >> From: joeharcz at comcast.net
> >> >> To: nfbmi-talk at nfbnet.org
> >> >> Date: Tue, 4 May 2010 18:07:36 -0400
> >> >> Subject: [nfbmi-talk] they are still jawboning about role of 
> >> >> commission
> >> >> now?
> >> >>
> >> >> http://www.michigan.gov/dleg/0,1607,7-154-28077_28313-205402--,00.html
> >> >>
> >> >> SEPTEMBER 18, 2008
> >> >>
> >> >> VICTOR BUILDING
> >> >>
> >> >> LANSING, MICHIGAN
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >> RETREAT MINUTES
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >> COMMISSIONERS PRESENT
> >> >>
> >> >> Ms. Jo Ann Pilarski, Chair
> >> >>
> >> >> Ms. Velma Allen, Vice-Chair
> >> >>
> >> >> Ms. Margaret Wolfe
> >> >>
> >> >> Mr. Mark Eagle
> >> >>
> >> >> Ms. Geri Taeckens
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >> COMMISSIONERS ABSENT
> >> >>
> >> >> None
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >> MICHIGAN COMMISSION FOR THE BLIND (MCB) STAFF PRESENT
> >> >>
> >> >> Mr. Patrick Cannon
> >> >>
> >> >> Ms. Sue Luzenski
> >> >>
> >> >> Mr. Leamon Jones
> >> >>
> >> >> Ms. Sherri Heibeck
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >> GUESTS/ATTENDEES
> >> >>
> >> >> Mr. Terry Eagle
> >> >>
> >> >> Mr. Raymond Roberson
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >> Committee of the whole called to order at 2:20 p.m.
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >> Training on Role and Representation of Commissioners
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >> Commissioner Allen opened the meeting speaking about a training module
> >> >> that her and Director Cannon had taken part of during the NCSAB
> >> >> conference in April
> >> >>
> >> >> 2008. The training module focused on the role and representation of
> >> >> commissioners, clarifying the roles and relationships between the
> >> >> commissioners and
> >> >>
> >> >> the administration in relation to directing the Director, not 
> >> >> dictating
> >> >> or micro-managing. Commissioner Allen looked into presenting the 
> >> >> training
> >> >> module
> >> >>
> >> >> at the retreat but a more in-depth look into accessing it and the 
> >> >> length
> >> >> needs to be done by staff. Sue Luzenski will circulate a document that
> >> >> was prepared
> >> >>
> >> >> called Communications Protocol that may address some of these 
> >> >> questions.
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >> Dialogue moved into talking about the Director's objectives and how 
> >> >> the
> >> >> Commissioners have taken a more active role than in the past. Director
> >> >> Cannon stated
> >> >>
> >> >> that the MCB Director is not only accountable to the Commissioners but
> >> >> also reports to Deputy Director Levin in DLEG and is held accountable 
> >> >> by
> >> >> that office.
> >> >>
> >> >> Director Cannon stated that the Action Plan is a useful management 
> >> >> tool
> >> >> which states clearly the goals and progress of staff. The plan 
> >> >> contains
> >> >> many objectives
> >> >>
> >> >> related to the Director's evaluation.
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >> P.A. 260
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >> Chair Pilarski asked Commissioners to come forward with any issues or
> >> >> thoughts regarding PA 260. The law is still relevant today though 
> >> >> current
> >> >> practices
> >> >>
> >> >> may be different in some instances than which is stated in the 1978
> >> >> statute. Commissioner Taeckens brought up concerns regarding section
> >> >> 393.356, Education
> >> >>
> >> >> of Blind Youth. Commissioner Taeckens conducted a training program at
> >> >> Camp Tuhsmeheta this summer and notes that, in her view, the children
> >> >> were lacking
> >> >>
> >> >> in skills of independence. She asked what the Commission is doing to
> >> >> address the issue of educating blind kids. Leamon Jones spoke 
> >> >> regarding
> >> >> the role the
> >> >>
> >> >> Commission plays in making sure that all MCB does is in compliance 
> >> >> with
> >> >> special education limits. MCB currently has an MOU between MCB, DLEG 
> >> >> and
> >> >> the Department
> >> >>
> >> >> of Education and MCB has made summer transition programs a focus. 
> >> >> Further
> >> >> discussion centered around what the commission can do to begin 
> >> >> educating
> >> >> youth
> >> >>
> >> >> earlier, communicating what services are currently available for blind
> >> >> youth age 14 and older, exposing blind youth to the tools necessary to
> >> >> help them
> >> >>
> >> >> be successful into adulthood both socially and economically, 
> >> >> determining
> >> >> how much Braille teaching time is necessary to become proficient, 
> >> >> having
> >> >> Braille
> >> >>
> >> >> and sign language be part of the Special Education Teacher curriculum
> >> >> during college, combating the notion of low expectations for blind and
> >> >> visually impaired
> >> >>
> >> >> youth, advocate groups that are currently formed to prioritize and
> >> >> address these issues and focusing on educating parents to advocate for
> >> >> their blind youth.
> >> >>
> >> >> The end result of this discussion was to have 1 or 2 of these advocate
> >> >> groups at a future commissioner meeting to discuss these priorities. 
> >> >> It
> >> >> was suggested
> >> >>
> >> >> that a paper be put together regarding guiding principles for 
> >> >> educating
> >> >> blind youth for topics of discussion to the Superintendent of public
> >> >> education.
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >> Bylaws
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >> Commissioner Eagle brought raised the point that portions of the
> >> >> Commissioner bylaws are outdated and need to be revised. Discussion
> >> >> included creating a
> >> >>
> >> >> 1 - 2 person sub-committee to review the bylaws, bring any
> >> >> recommendations to the Board at a future commission meeting and 
> >> >> consider
> >> >> proposals to changes
> >> >>
> >> >> in the bylaws. Chair Pilarski indicated topics to be looked at: 
> >> >> purpose
> >> >> of the board, role as liaison to MCB committees and definition of a
> >> >> consumer. Other
> >> >>
> >> >> items discussed was whether or not the vice-chair needs to be 
> >> >> re-elected
> >> >> each year; an informal poll concluded that the commissioners do want 
> >> >> to
> >> >> re-elect
> >> >>
> >> >> the vice-chair each year.
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >> Chair Pilarski stated that she has received inquiries from BEP 
> >> >> Operators
> >> >> regarding the role of Commissioners and BEP. Sherri Heibeck clarified 
> >> >> who
> >> >> is the
> >> >>
> >> >> responsible authority of the BEP program. The Board's role is to have 
> >> >> the
> >> >> final say on ALJ decisions and BEP policies. Legal action beyond the
> >> >> agency goes
> >> >>
> >> >> to Federal arbitration and then civil court.
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >> Board Meeting Structure
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >> Chair Pilarski raised the issue of public comment at recent commission
> >> >> meetings and the confrontational tone demonstrated by some 
> >> >> individuals.
> >> >> There was
> >> >>
> >> >> further discussion on how to provide ample time for public comment and
> >> >> consumer involvement and still maintain orderly and respectful
> >> >> communications. Ms.
> >> >>
> >> >> Heibeck stated there are rules for conduct on any owned or leased 
> >> >> state
> >> >> property and the DMB Policy for conduct on state property can be
> >> >> forwarded to the
> >> >>
> >> >> Commissioners for their review.
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >> Another question was posed as to the number of meetings MCB has. 
> >> >> Director
> >> >> Cannon spoke to the Rehab Act and how it states that there must be at
> >> >> least 4
> >> >>
> >> >> meetings a year. The state has mandated a cut in meetings in response 
> >> >> to
> >> >> the budget situation. Director Cannon noted that although regular
> >> >> meetings have
> >> >>
> >> >> been reduced to once every 3 months, the Chair can call a special 
> >> >> meeting
> >> >> if an urgent issue arises which cannot wait until the next scheduled
> >> >> meeting.
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >> Another issue is the meeting not moving around the state allowing the
> >> >> exposure to all consumers throughout the state. Commissioner Taeckens
> >> >> suggested having
> >> >>
> >> >> a common meeting place where consumers can congregate to participate 
> >> >> as a
> >> >> large group by phone or go to a library to share audio streaming
> >> >> capabilities
> >> >>
> >> >> during a commission meeting. There was also discussion about 
> >> >> conducting
> >> >> all of the meetings in Lansing as opposed to holding some meetings in
> >> >> different
> >> >>
> >> >> parts of the state as had been done in the past. It was agreed that
> >> >> consideration should be given to holding one meeting next year in the
> >> >> northern part
> >> >>
> >> >> of the state, perhaps Marquette in the fall.
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >> Public Comment
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >> Terry Eagle:
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >> Mr. Eagle stated there is an issue with correspondence between people 
> >> >> who
> >> >> write to the board but get a response from Director Cannon. He stated 
> >> >> the
> >> >> board
> >> >>
> >> >> should be united, talking amongst themselves and coming up with a
> >> >> response, not push this off on an administrator. There should be a 
> >> >> duty
> >> >> to respond to
> >> >>
> >> >> them directly as a board.
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >> Mr. Eagle commented when MCB started there was 11 meetings with two 15
> >> >> minute public comment sections, then meetings were reduced to 6 and 
> >> >> now
> >> >> to 4 a year.
> >> >>
> >> >> Mr. Eagle agreed with putting a timer on public comment, other 
> >> >> solutions
> >> >> could be a sign up sheet, issues spoken of being specific to agenda
> >> >> items, public
> >> >>
> >> >> comment held before lunch and then again at the end of the meeting.
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >> Ray Roberson
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >> Mr. Roberson stated that there is insufficient time for public comment 
> >> >> at
> >> >> commission meeting. How will the commission know what problems the 
> >> >> public
> >> >> is facing
> >> >>
> >> >> if you don't hear from consumers? If there are problems and issues how
> >> >> will the board know if they don't give consumers a chance to speak
> >> >> directly to the
> >> >>
> >> >> board?
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >> Adjourned: 5:18
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >> ______________________________
> >> >> _______________________________________________
> >> >> nfbmi-talk mailing list
> >> >> nfbmi-talk at nfbnet.org
> >> >> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfbmi-talk_nfbnet.org
> >> >> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> >> >> nfbmi-talk:
> >> >> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfbmi-talk_nfbnet.org/lizmohnke%40hotmail.com
> >> >
> >> > _________________________________________________________________
> >> > The New Busy is not the old busy. Search, chat and e-mail from your 
> >> > inbox.
> >> > http://www.windowslive.com/campaign/thenewbusy?ocid=PID28326::T:WLMTAGL:ON:WL:en-US:WM_HMP:042010_3
> >> > _______________________________________________
> >> > nfbmi-talk mailing list
> >> > nfbmi-talk at nfbnet.org
> >> > http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfbmi-talk_nfbnet.org
> >> > To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> >> > nfbmi-talk:
> >> > http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfbmi-talk_nfbnet.org/joeharcz%40comcast.net
> >>
> >>
> >> _______________________________________________
> >> nfbmi-talk mailing list
> >> nfbmi-talk at nfbnet.org
> >> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfbmi-talk_nfbnet.org
> >> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for 
> >> nfbmi-talk:
> >> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfbmi-talk_nfbnet.org/lizmohnke%40hotmail.com
> >
> > _________________________________________________________________
> > The New Busy is not the old busy. Search, chat and e-mail from your inbox.
> > http://www.windowslive.com/campaign/thenewbusy?ocid=PID28326::T:WLMTAGL:ON:WL:en-US:WM_HMP:042010_3
> > _______________________________________________
> > nfbmi-talk mailing list
> > nfbmi-talk at nfbnet.org
> > http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfbmi-talk_nfbnet.org
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> 
> 
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