[nfbmi-talk] MCBVI Response to NFB Newsline funding request

[Fran Fulton]

One, he is nuts as he doesn't have the same level of scrutiny of funding for
other MCB programs as he now does for Newsline. In fact he doesn't care how
money is spent given my m=nunumerous releases related to same.

Two the OMA suit thing is the most bogus issue around and he should know
that. In fact if Sibley actually cared about how MCB monies are spent as
contended then he'd care that money was expendedwithout MCB board approval
on the gift fund items. But, he clearly doesn't care and he clearly is a
fool and a lapdog.

More than that I cannot say.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Larry Posont" <president.nfb.mi at gmail.com>
To: "NFBofMichigan List" <nfbmi-talk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Monday, October 04, 2010 8:12 PM
Subject: [nfbmi-talk] MCBVI Response to NFB Newsline funding request


> I wrote a response to this letter from Joe Sibley concerning Newsline
Funding. My response letter went out on the list serve
> yesterday.
>
>  September 23, 2010
>
>
>
> To: Larry Posant - President, National Federation of the Blind of Michigan
>
>
>
> From: Joe Sibley - President, Michigan Council of the Blind and Visually
Impaired
>
>
>
> Hello Larry!
>
>
>
> It was a pleasure to speak with you today. As I said before, there will no
doubt be many issues where our two organizations will be
> able to speak in a united voice. I also appreciate the fact that you and I
can speak frankly with each other, even in matters where
> we disagree.
>
>
>
> Regarding the request by the NFB of Michigan that the Michigan Commission
for the Blind fund NFB Newsline service in Michigan with
> rehab funding, I have discussed this with several people both in and out
of our organization, and we can not support this proposal
> as it stands. I am responding to you in writing so that there will be no
misunderstanding, and will share this message with others
> as well to make sure our position is understood. I make the following
points:
>
>
>
> 1. NFB Newsline is an excellent program and is used by many people in both
organizations, and even more who belong to neither group.
> However, it is an excellent marketing tool for the National Federation of
the Blind, promoting philosophies that we can not agree
> with.
>
>
>
> 2. It is my understanding that there has never been a clear breakdown of
the budget of NFB Newsline which would be necessary to
> approve financial support at this level. I have also spoken with
individuals more learned than I that the budget you propose seems
> excessive for the actual cost of operating NFB Newsline.
>
>
>
> 3. I am concerned that the NFB of Michigan is asking the Michigan
Commission for the Blind to support one of it's programs at the
> same time the organization has a lawsuit pending against the commission.
>
>
>
> 4. I am troubled by the action at the recent Consumer Involvement Council
meeting where the council was pressured to support this
> action. I am also concerned that the chair of the CIC allowed NFB members
who are not on the council to speak to this issue at times
> other than public comment, adding additional pressure to the other council
members.
>
>
>
> To sum up Larry, I hope you do find a funding source for NFB Newsline, but
in it's present form, MCBVI can not support rehab funds
> from the Commission for the Blind to be used to support it, especially
without a clear understanding of how the budget breaks down
> to the actual expenses. We will have to agree to disagree on this one
unless some changes are made. I do support Newsline as a
> valuable service to the blind community and hope that other funding
sources are found.
>
>
>
> Thanks Larry,
>
>
>
> Joe Sibley
>
>
>
> President
> Michigan Council of the Blind and Visually Impaired
> (616)724-1650
> Joe.sibley at comcast.net
>
>
>
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