[nfbmi-talk] Answers to Questions asked of Pat Cannon at our 2010 State Convention.

[joe harcz Comcast]

Hi Elizabeth and All,

I wonder what kind of grade a blind college student would get if she handed 
in a required assignment after six months and then was either 
non-responsive, non-factual, or just plain making answers up?

Smile...

Joe

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Elizabeth" <lizmohnke at hotmail.com>
To: "NFB Michigan" <nfbmi-talk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Tuesday, March 01, 2011 10:38 PM
Subject: Re: [nfbmi-talk] Answers to Questions asked of Pat Cannon at our 
2010 State Convention.



Hmm, I don’t know if I can say much about the substance of his answers, but 
at least he finally took the time to answer our questions.

Elizabeth

> From: president.nfb.mi at gmail.com
> To: nfbmi-talk at nfbnet.org
> Date: Tue, 1 Mar 2011 22:12:08 -0500
> Subject: [nfbmi-talk] Answers to Questions asked of Pat Cannon at our 2010 
> State Convention.
>
> Dear Fellow Federationists:
>
> Today, I received the answers to the questions we asked Pat Cannon at our 
> State Convention. His answers are below. I have not
> read them yet, but I thought all of you would like to see them.
>
>
>
> sincerely
>
>
>
> Larry J. Posont, President
>
> National Federation of the Blind of Michigan
>
> 517-482-1800
>
> Email: president.nfb.mi at gmail.com
>
> Web page
>
> www.nfbmi.org
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Question 0
>
>
>
> We think this would be a good beginning statement before true questions 
> even begin.
>
>
>
> You are on this stage as a guest of the national Federation of the Blind 
> of Michigan. You must recognize that in our view you have
> maliciously attacked this organization and our members by firing them, 
> besmirching their reputations and reducing their future
> earnings as retirees in the Business Enterprise program in an attempt to 
> thwart and reduce our ability to advocate on behalf of
> blind people. You have used your political influence and inside knowledge 
> to load the Commission Board with your picks. You have
> failed to inform us of reductions in Newsline funding thus putting the 
> NFBMI in a supplicant role to vainly attempt to neuter us and
> prevent us from our rightful role as advocate and watchdog. Do you promise 
> to fully and honestly answer our questions for the
> record?
>
>
>
>
>
> Pat's Response
>
>
>
> This was among the many issues I addressed in my comments at the NFB 
> Convention, October 30, 2010.
> Question 1
>
>
>
> During the March Commission board meeting, it was said that the Michigan 
> Commission for the Blind would hire a nonbiased moderator
> to help facilitate the ongoing discussion regarding the college policy. 
> However, it seems clear that the person who was hired to
> facilitate the June college policy meeting was bias towards the agency, 
> against consumers, and did not possess a positive belief
> about blindness in general. Can you explain why your agency decided to 
> hire a facilitator who had personal connections with a member
> of the Commission Board rather than hire someone who was completely 
> neutral to these issues?
>
>
>
>
>
> Pat's Response
>
>
>
> The facilitator we utilized was referred to the Commission by John 
> Victory, the individual with whom we have worked for many years
> on our Vision 2020 initiative. While I recall that the facilitator had a 
> conversation with one of our commissioners prior to
> beginning her work with us I do not believe that they knew each other 
> prior to the college policy review team. If there was a
> previous relationship I am unaware of it.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Question 2
>
>
>
> This week there were 13 facilities on the BEP bid line. To our knowledge 
> at least 2 blind people, one with a bachelor's degree in
> foodservice requested work. They were refused. Meanwhile, the MCB is 
> presumably hiring sighted people who regularly do not pay
> their fees to work. Another operator with significantly below the minimum 
> income for a highway vending operation has repeatedly
> been denied merging of her facility with other surplus facilities.
>
>
>
> · Can you explain how you can justify denying jobs to blind people in a 
> program designed to employ them?
>
>
>
> · Can you provide any reasonable justification for withholding income from 
> other blind persons when there are not enough
> blind people trained to fill positions available.
>
>
>
> · How can you explain the lack of planning that has led to this crisis.
>
>
>
> · Can you plausibly deny that you may have had an inkling that there would 
> be an early retirement incentive program?
>
>
>
>
>
> Pat's Response
>
>
>
> I first became aware of the possibility of the early retirement initiative 
> in January 2010 when the Governor announced her
> intentions at a news conference in Lansing. Her proposal, of course, could 
> not be implemented until the legislator took action on
> it and several months had passed and the legislation went through several 
> iterations until it was finally enacted several weeks ago.
>
>
>
> Some of our more experienced operators will be availing themselves of the 
> early retirement available to state employees and this
> will leave vacancies within the BEP. Staff has been working for some time 
> to develop plans to address these vacancies. Some of
> these steps are as follows:
>
>
>
> -all applicants wishing to be considered as temporary operators must 
> complete a full application and pass a state police background
> check;
>
>
>
> -BEP staff has been contacting VR staff to pursue interested clients and 
> requesting that they complete this application;
>
>
>
> -BEP staff has been communicating via the bid line requesting that 
> operators seek out potential temporary operators, including
> family members and retirees;
>
>
>
> -BEP Staff and the EOC have been working to develop alternative training 
> programs that would assist in placing blind individuals in
> facilities while gaining training to enter into the program.
>
>
>
> The BEP endeavors to place only those individuals that have food service 
> experience into facilities in an effort to maximize service
> and is especially interested in placing those individuals who have a 
> vested interest in our program, individuals who are blind,
> retired operators, or thus who are related to licensees. With this said, 
> though, the BEP cannot place individuals who have
> unresolved issues that we have been made aware of prior to their placement 
> and we work to replace those persons who have prior or
> current issues at their facilities as soon as possible. Unfortunately, 
> past pools of temporary operators have prevented that in an
> expedited fashion.
>
>
>
> The BEP is aware of the struggles that temporary operators have had in its 
> facilities in the past and is working on new methods to
> resolve or prevent issues in this current climate. One of the steps that 
> are being taken is that Promotional Agents will be
> directed to make no less than one phone contact each week with temporary 
> operators and no less then one in person visit every two
> weeks to facilities that are being run by temporary operators. It is in 
> this way that we hope to provide ongoing support and
> supervision to those locations. Additionally, the EOC has begun 
> discussions about licensees in other facilities working as mentors
> for temporary operators in order to provide continuous support. While this 
> plan is in the early stages, BEP staff always encourages
> active participation from its licensees.
>
>
>
> In regards to training the BEP has at least 4 current potential operators 
> and 9 students who will be completing their training in
> early February. As not all of the retirements within BEP will be taking 
> place until the end of December, this only requires
> temporary operators to operate many facilities for less than two months. 
> Additionally, the BEP is planning to conduct another
> training class in the spring and will continue to work with the EOC on 
> alternative training methods as previously mentioned.
>
>
>
> Further, Larry, you should be aware that the BEP is ensuring that each 
> retiree not be required to stay even one day past their
> intended retirement date. Licensees who have been awarded facilities being 
> vacated by Retirees are being transitioned directly
> into these locations as it is not fair to require people to work past the 
> date that they intend to and, as such, the placement of
> temporary operators is even more difficult because we are not sure what 
> facilities will be vacant at what time. Regardless, the BEP
> staff and EOC are committed to the continuous operation of its facilities 
> and will work to ensure that these locations be preserved.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Question 3 and 3.5
>
>
>
> It has been reported widely that you told Andy Levin that you did not fire 
> Christine Boone because of the marksmanship class. So if
> you did not fire her for the marksmanship class than what did you fire her 
> for?
>
>
>
> Question 3.5
>
> Well Pat, if you can't discuss Christine or her case at this time, how is 
> it that you have been able to talk about her, the
> marksmanship class and related issues, with people like Andy Levin and 
> Sherri Heibeck?
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Pat's Response
>
>
>
> As stated at the NFB Convention in October I am unable to address 
> personnel matters which are in various stages of appeal.
> Question 4
>
>
>
> What is your classification under civil service? If it is an LTA, which is 
> limited term appointment, when was it completed and who
> approved it?
>
>
>
> Pat's Response
>
>
>
> This was among the many issues I addressed in my comments at the NFB 
> Convention, October 30, 2010.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Question 5
>
>
>
> Blind students across the state encounter a wide variety of problems 
> getting a quality education. Some districts do a good job
> while others fail their blind pupils. We are aware of testing issues in 2 
> districts, currently. Through our encounters with blind
> students from across the state we are aware that few of them are 
> reasonably fluent in Braille and are not reading at grade level.
>
>
>
> Public Act 260 states in part:
>
> 393.356 Employment and duties of educational consultants; informing 
> commission of schools with visually handicapped students;
> liaison and program coordination.
>
> Sec. 6.(1) The commission may employ qualified educational consultants to 
> assist public or private school teachers responsible for
> teaching visually handicapped students.
>
> Educational consultants shall assist public and private school teachers by 
> providing methods and materials for teaching visually
> handicapped students. The superintendent of public instruction shall 
> inform the commission of the schools in which visually
>
> handicapped students are enrolled.
>
> (2) The director or a person designated by the director shall be the 
> liaison between the commission, the schools for the blind, and
> the superintendent of public instruction, and shall coordinate all 
> programs affecting blind students.
>
>
>
> I draw your attention to part 2 of this section. It says that you or your 
> designee SHALL coordinate all programs for blind students
> in Michigan. To our knowledge you play no such role, why not. Are you 
> violating the law by not complying? Do you plan to begin to
> follow the law? What is your plan to do so? Are you receiving a list of 
> all schools where blind students attend? Does someone
> from MCB meet these students and parents to help prepare them for the 
> future? If the list is not provided, how do you intend to
> gain access to it? What steps have you taken to get such a list?
>
>
>
>
>
> Pat's Response
>
> This was among the many issues I addressed in my comments at the NFB 
> Convention, October 30, 2010.
> Question 6
>
>
>
> The state accounting system, once known as MAIN (Michigan Administrative 
> Information Network) has never been fully accessible to
> blind state employees, some of whom need to use it in their job duties. 
> There have been successful ADA lawsuits in other states on
> this very topic, thus putting Michigan at risk for a similar suit. You 
> have been the state ADA Coordinator for most of the Granholm
> Administration. Many blind employees in MCB and throughout state 
> government are prevented by this lack of accessibility from
> competing on a level playing field with their sighted colleagues. What 
> have you done to correct this violation of sections 504 and
> 508 of the Rehabilitation Act which you are directly responsible for, and 
> the ADA, not to mention Michigan Public Act 220? Why
> haven't you done more to resolve this issue? Is there any plan in motion 
> to fix MAIN? What have you, personally done to fix this
> problem? Is this a failure of your leadership as ADA coordinator? Why 
> haven't you made this a top priority as ADA coordinator?
>
>
>
>
>
> Pat's Response
>
>
>
> This was among the many issues I addressed in my comments at the NFB 
> Convention, October 30, 2010.
> Question 7
>
>
>
> The Randolph-Sheppard Act requires "active participation" of blind 
> operators in the "major administrative decisions" of the agency.
> The Michigan legislature has passed a law that requires that Blind 
> operators in the Business Enterprise Program be considered state
> employees for retirement purposes. You allowed blind operators retirement 
> to be reduced by 10%. There were no hearings; there was
> no request to the Elected Operator's Committee to consider this major 
> change. The Commission Board did not consider this change.
> Under what authority did you take future income from blind retired 
> operators? Why did you not properly enforce the
> Randolph-Sheppard Act by requiring a full discussion of this change which 
> reduces the incomes of blind people for years, by the
> Elected Operators Committee and the Commission Board?
>
>
>
>
>
> Pat's Response
>
>
>
> This was among the many issues I addressed in my comments at the NFB 
> Convention, October 30, 2010.
> Question 8
>
>
>
> You personally travelled to the General Office Building at the state 
> Secondary Complex and removed a blind person from her job with
> no due process. Your illegal actions were rightfully overturned by the 
> Commission Board. Why did you, personally, violate the
> Randolph-Sheppard Act? When this was pointed out to you, why didn't you 
> reverse your mistake? Was it because the operator was the
> President of the Merchant's Division of the NFB? Were you retaliating 
> against her for her advocacy on behalf of blind vendors to
> enforce the catering policies and exclusive rights to sell food and 
> related products on state property? Is the fact that the
> violator was in the bureau of retirement and you were actively seeking to 
> illegally reduce blind vendor's retirements?
>
>
>
>
>
> Pat's Response
>
>
>
> This was among the many issues I addressed in my comments at the NFB 
> Convention, October 30, 2010.
> Question 9
>
>
>
> You used your influence in the Democratic Party and in the Governor's 
> office to remove Mark Eagle from the Commission Board through
> the inexcusable use of an ethics investigation. Why did you choose a means 
> of removing a Commissioner, a very young person who is
> actively working to pursue public office, which besmirches his reputation 
> and which will follow him for the rest of his life? Was
> it because he was advocating on behalf of students who wished to fully 
> participate in the development of a quality college policy?
> Was it retaliation against his father who was advocating for blind 
> vendors, some of whom were members of the NFB? Why did you
> testify to the Ethics Board that the major duty of the Commission Board is 
> to review BEP complaints? Is this your view of the role
> of the Commission Board?
>
>
>
> Pat's Response
>
>
>
> This was among the many issues I addressed in my comments at the NFB 
> Convention, October 30, 2010.
>
>
>
>
>
> Question 10
>
>
>
> In October of 2009 the Governor ordered that Newsline funding be cut. The 
> legislature acted on her order in January, yet you never
> notified the NFB or Newsline officials of this critical matter. It was not 
> until Newsline submitted a bill for services that the
> Commission notified Newsline of the funding cut. You sit on the Governor's 
> council. You are the primary state executive for
> administrating the payment of Newsline costs. Did you do this to try to 
> control the NFB by now offering a portion of the funding
> and trying to make us beholden to you? Is this why you have told consumers 
> that this is your personal decision and that Commission
> Board members all toe the line and defer the decision to you? Are you 
> playing politics with your authority and position to thwart
> the advocacy of this organization? Do you really think we can be bought 
> off with money for Newsline?
>
>
>
>
>
> Pat's Response
>
>
>
> The substantive questions regarding Newsline were fully addressed at the 
> 2010 NFB Convention, October 30, 2010.
>
>
>
>
>
> Question 11
>
>
>
> You have directly or indirectly caused all NFB members of your staff and 
> leaders of the Business Enterprise Program to lose their
> jobs. Why are you conducting an attack on this organization? Do you think 
> our advocacy will be reduced by your bullying and
> intimidation of our members? How can you justify your abuse of power by 
> taking jobs and incomes away from good people who are
> actively involved in working to improve conditions for blind people? What 
> about your claims that MCB ought to be a consumer driven
> agency when you are terrorizing blind people who speak up, whether on the 
> Commission Board, The Business Enterprise Program or on
> your staff?
>
>
>
>
>
> Pat's Response
>
>
>
> My relationship with NFB over the past many years was thoroughly addressed 
> at the 2010 NFB Convention. And, as stated then, I
> cannot respond to questions related to personnel matters in various stages 
> of appeal.
> Question 12
>
>
>
> As you know, the Rehabilitation Services Administration has conducted a 
> review of the MCB. To date, the results of this review are
> not available to the public. You have refused to release the preliminary 
> results of this review to the public, under the FOIA or
> ADA. Why are you hiding this information? Will you release the preliminary 
> report? When? Is there embarrassing or damaging
> information in the report which you don't want out before the election?
>
>
>
>
>
> Pat's Response
>
>
>
> Actually, I received the Final RSA Monitoring report on November 8 and it 
> was immediately posted and broadly distributed. It
> remains on our website for inspection by anyone at any time. Prior to 
> RSA's release of the final report it was their guidance that
> the previous draft report remains confidential and not available for 
> distribution.
>
>
>
>
>
> Question 13
>
>
>
> Why does the MCB not fully comply with the Rehabilitation Act by holding 
> hearings on the required Plan updates?
>
>
>
> Pat's Response
>
>
>
> We do hold hearings on the State Plan as called for under RSA guidelines.
>
>
>
> Question 14
>
>
>
> Why did you send Commission reappointments in to the Governor so far in 
> advance? Were you trying to get ahead of consumers who may
> be interested in applying?
>
>
>
>
>
> Pat's Response
>
>
>
> As the MCB Director, it is not my role to initiate appointments or 
> reappointments of Commissioners since these actions are taken by
> the Governor's Appointment office. Since the Michigan Senate has rejected 
> the reappointments by the Governor the Commission now has
> only three Commissioners serving with two remaining vacancies. I have had 
> no indication from the Governor's Appointment office as
> to when these vacancies may be addressed.
>
>
>
> Question 15
>
>
>
> In sworn testimony a Commission counselor testified that she has had a 
> total of 4 weeks of specific blindness training. The NFBM
> approached the Commission Board to work to review and improve staff 
> training. The Commission asked 2 consumers, 1 Commissioner and
> 1 MCB staff member to form a task force to work on this. You defiantly set 
> up your own committee heavily loaded with MCB staff in
> an attempt to dampen and thwart consumer input. Why did you set up a 
> parallel committee when you were aware the Commission Board
> was already working on this issue? Was this another attempt to interfere 
> with the Commissioner's rightful role in policy
> development? Do you think that 4 weeks of blindness training is adequate 
> for a Commission counselor? Are you willing to cooperate
> and participate in the Commission Board's plan to work on staff training?
>
>
>
> Pat's Response
>
>
>
> An internal committee to address succession planning, staff training and 
> other staffing issues affected by early retirements was
> established in early 2010. This planning effort was expanded to 
> specifically address training on issues related to blindness and
> will be continued at least through 2011 as called for in an objective 
> adopted by Commissioners last December which states:
>
>
>
> "Objective 5: Continue the work of the agency's committee to review and 
> improve staff training, particularly training of new agency
> staff. The committee also includes representation from the MCB Consumer 
> Involvement Council (CIC), the Michigan Council of the
> Blind and Visually Impaired (MCBVI) and the National Federation of the 
> Blind (NFB) of Michigan. The committee's works includes a
> focus on enhancing the understanding of blindness and issues facing blind 
> persons, which is intended to assist staff in serving
> clients most effectively. The progress on the committee's recommendations 
> will be reported to Commissioners quarterly, with its
> final report to Commissioners in December, 2011. "
>
>
>
> Several recommendations from this Committee have already begun to be 
> implemented and the Committee will be meeting next in late
> March.
> Question 16
>
>
>
> Many times when controversies erupt, you or someone in leadership raises 
> the specter that if we can't get along the Commission may
> be merged with MRS. Is this a way to impede advocacy. Are you actively 
> working on a plan to merge the 2 agencies? Is the Governor
> of the DELEG director working on such a merger? Would you see this as a 
> punishment to the NFB for our questioning of management
> practices at MCB?
>
>
>
>
>
> Pat's Response
>
>
>
> As most people know, I have steadfastly advocated for the continuation of 
> specialized services for the blind through a separate
> blind rehab agency. While MCB has an excellent working relationship with 
> the general agency, Michigan Rehabilitation Services
> (MRS), you will be pleased to know that both Jaye Porter, the MRS 
> Director, and myself continue to oppose a merger or consolidation.
> Having said that, though, we should all be aware that thoughts and 
> conversations of possibly merging the blind agency with the
> general agency occur frequently in states where a separate blind agency 
> exists.
>
>
>
> Question 17
>
>
>
> Why is staff continually telling clients that there is insufficient money 
> to provide all the services they request while at the same
> time you maintain huge surpluses of money? Why haven't you spent available 
> money to help blind people get training equipment and
> jobs as the legislature and congress have provided? Why have MCB staff 
> called the NFBMI for donations of equipment for seniors when
> there is more than a million dollar surplus in the account to fund senior 
> blind programs? Is this a way to intimidate and control
> blind clients?
>
>
>
>
>
> Pat's Response
>
>
>
> While no agency is big enough or wealthy enough to provide all of the 
> things for people that they may want or need, the Commission
> does receive a considerable amount of Federal and State funds to provide 
> rehabilitation services to our clients. Although these
> resources are not unlimited, we do have a responsibility to utilize them 
> prudently in the best interest of all of the clients we
> strive to serve well. Each of our clients is to be served on an 
> individualized case by case basis in an effort to provide the
> unique services they need to address their specific goals and their 
> Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE). While I hope that
> none of our staff would ever say that "we are broke" it is possible that 
> our attempt at prudence may at times be misunderstood or
> misinterpreted.
>
>
>
> We are not aware of a Commission staff person asking NFB to donate 
> computers for our clients, although a member of MCBVI has been
> working on a project to make refurbished computers available to blind 
> individuals. We continue to make computers and other
> technology available to our clients and in this past year have 
> increasingly made technology available to older blind clients.
>
>
>
>
>
> Question 18
>
>
>
> When do you plan to retire from MCB?
>
>
>
>
>
> Pat's Response
>
>
>
> I have no plans to retire in then near future.
> Question 19
>
>
>
> I commend the agency for finally seeking the input of consumers when 
> working on updating the college policy. However, it seems as
> though there was never an open honest dialog about the use of the new 
> DELEG Financial Needs form. Can you explain why you and your
> agency were not willing to have an open honest conversation with consumers 
> about the use of this new form?
>
>
>
>
>
> Pat's Response
>
>
>
> The form itself was discussed along with the College Policy and was agreed 
> upon at that same time.
> Question 20
>
>
>
> During the college review process, I heard you as well as members of your 
> staff say that there are several state agencies that use a
> form similar to the new DELEG Financial Needs form. Can you name any 
> specific state vocational rehabilitation agencies that use a
> form similar to the new DELEG Financial Needs form?
>
>
>
>
>
> Pat's Response
>
>
>
> In addition to Michigan Rehabilitation Services and the Michigan 
> Commission for the Blind, other state agencies which utilize forms
> related to financial needs, include Pennsylvania and Virginia.
>
>
>
> Further, in speaking with Dr. Fred Schroeder on the subject he noted that 
> New Mexico used such a form when he was there and said
> that there are many other states which do so.
>
>
>
>
> Question 21
>
>
>
> Will you work with us to get an intern that would help at the library with 
> Newsline, calling folks, teaching the system, etc. This
> would give a blind person experience with a job and being supervised.
>
>
>
>
>
> Pat's Response
>
>
>
> You will be pleased to know that we have and are utilizing client interns 
> at the Braille and Talking Book Library (BTBL) to assist
> library patrons in better understanding BTBL services. As a long time 
> supporter of Newsline, I will explore further with Sue
> Chinault, our BTBL Manager, on ways in which we may further assist in 
> promoting Newsline.
> Question 22
>
>
>
> Will you put NFB Newsline on the Web site and activity List?
>
>
>
>
>
> Pat's Response
>
>
>
> We have had links on the MCB website for the National Federation of the 
> Blind as well as the National Federation of the Blind of
> Michigan for many years and are pleased to continue doing so. As a result 
> of this question, we have now added a special link to our
> website for NFB Newsline and the link can be found under Resources/Other 
> Resources/NFB Newsline.
>
>
>
> Since the NFB Newsline is not an activity, per se, but rather a service or 
> program, it would not seem appropriate to be listed on
> our "Activity List" although we have information on Newsline available to 
> Commission clients in many other ways and are pleased to
> do so.
>
>
>
> Question 23
>
>
>
> Will you work with us to get a toll free number for Newsline.
>
>
>
>
>
> Pat's Response
>
>
>
> It is my understanding that a Toll Free number to access Newsline already 
> exists: 1-888-882-1629.
> Question 24
>
>
>
> Will you encourage the board to be supportive of NFB Newsline and thus 
> promote permanent funding.
>
>
>
> Pat's Response
>
>
>
> I believe that Commissioner's are already supportive of Newsline and, as I 
> stated at the NFB Convention last fall, I will continue
> to work with NFB leaders to identify potential sources for ongoing 
> Newsline funding.
>
>
> Question 25
>
>
>
> Pat, how can you sleep at night, knowing that during the first 3 quarters 
> of fiscal year 2010, MCB spent 130% of the budgeted amount
> for administrative salaries and wages; and during the same time period, 
> you spent just 2% of the available funds for services to the
> older blind?
>
>
>
> Pat's Response
>
>
>
> The data presented in this question is not accurate and a more 
> comprehensive picture of Commission services and expenditures can be
> found in our 2010 Annual Report which can be accessed on the MCB website.
> Question 26
>
>
>
> The Commission for the Blind is supposed to be consumer driven. This 
> important requirement is in some very important documents. How
> do you see this being exemplified by the Commission today? How do you see 
> the Commission being consumer driven in the future?
>
>
>
> Pat's Response
>
>
>
> As called for in PA 260 at least three of our Commissioners must be 
> legally blind and we have consistently met or exceeded that
> standard. Beyond this legal requirement, MCB invites and encourages 
> consumer participation in several ways, including the Consumer
> Involvement Council, Service Delivery Design Team, Technology Committee, 
> Diversity Committee, Image and Identity Team and the
> Planning and Quality Team. Further, one of the products from the MCB Ad 
> Hoc Committee working on blindness training for Commission
> staff, calls for the leaders of both NFB and MCBVI make presentations to 
> new staff about their respective organizations. And these
> meetings will begin within the next few weeks.
>
>
>
> Question 27
>
>
>
> Why have you so incredibly failed at your duty to manage the Business 
> Enterprise Program.
>
>
>
>
>
> Can you blame your employees when you have personally participated in the 
> purging of the program of NFB members? By the way, all of
> the examples above happen to be NFB members. Can you plausibly disagree 
> that you have attacked and continue to blatantly
> discriminate against people for being members of the NFB? Any denials of 
> these points will be lies on their face.
>
>
>
>
>
> Pat's Response
>
>
>
> This was among the many issues I addressed in my comments at the NFB 
> Convention, October 30, 2010.
>
>
>
>
>
>
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