[nfbmi-talk] the faith meadows board correspondence

[joe harcz Comcast]

June 21, 2011

 

 

 

 

To MCB Commission Board:

 

I feel I need to reply to the statements that were made by Mr. Larry Posant. I began receiving services through the services for the Blind which is now Michigan Commission for the Blind in 1973.  The services provided me with training and an education as it has done for many of the people who are now serving on the Commission Board and attending the commission meetings.  I have worked for the Michigan Commission for the Blind for 11 years as a Rehabilitation counselor, during my time as an employee at the MCB I have seen consumers become independent in their skills and leave the Center to attend college, return to work, return to their homes and totally care for themselves.  We realize we are public servants and our job is to enable our clients to be independent and responsible people.  I did not realize that anything had changed in the past 18 months. I would like Mr. Posant to clarify his statement and I would like to know when he has visited the Center within the last 18 months.  

 

I think the Commission Board should be made up of both consumer groups and consumers of the State of Michigan.  It appears that the Board consists of complainers that have retired and having nothing better to do but cause havoc and confusion.  If the Board can not change for the good, then just disburse the board altogether.  At this time it is not benefiting anyone, it is just causing hard feelings and division. 

  I have noticed some of the people attending the meetings have in the past received quality training and education provided to them by MCB funded with state and federal dollars.  These people although they have been provided with training and college education have decided not to work and give back to the state some dollars, but are continually taking tax dollars, living on SSI and SSDI.  It seems they do not have anything good to say, but are always negative and demanding.  To those persons, I say it is about time you decided to get out and become employed and pay back some tax dollars instead of complaining and finding ways to needlessly complain and spend more tax dollars.

 

 All blind people have a voice that should be heard not just from one group of people.  I think that Mr. Posant and all those that have criticized Mr. Pat Cannon, MCB and MCBTC staff should apologize to us and think about the feelings of others and not think they are the brains and voice for all blind persons.  Please stop the slander of the MCB director and staff.  Why has the Commission Board meetings become a battle ground instead of an advisory board?  I feel at this time there are too many negative people serving on the Commission Board and that needs to change. 

 

 

 

 

 I would like to know how it is that people who have not visited the Training Center can make a statement that there has been no training taking place at the Center. The staff are very capable people who have the experience and intelligence to work towards successfully training the consumer to be totally independent.  With the excellent leadership of Sherri Heibeck as Director and Bruce Schultz as the Assistant Director, the MCBTC staff was quite capable of continuing to provide an excellent service to our consumers.  

 

I feel that the slanderous statements that are being telecast is a slap in the face to Director Pat Cannon, MCB staff, MCBTC staff and also to the citizens of the State of Michigan who may feel that their tax dollars are being wasted on the blind population.  At this time, the Commission Board is making unprofessional statements and they appear to be totally ignorant to the training that is taking place at MCBTC.  If there is concern about Training going on at MCBTC, please take the time to visit.

 

Thank you,

 

 

 

Faith Meadows

269-337-3855 (work)

269-353-3569 (home)