[nfbmi-talk] FW: Farewell letter

Fred Wurtzel f.wurtzel at att.net
Thu Sep 20 19:28:56 UTC 2012


Hi Dave,

As you will note in my letter, I clearly stated that my comments were my
own.  I simply wanted to share my public comments with our members.  I share
your skepticism about working with the new regime, but in fact, to make
peace we have to negotiate with our enemies.  We cannot make any progress if
we don't try to make necessary changes.

I think our report card is a good place to begin developing some goals.  I
agree with you that the convention is the best place to do so.  I added the
report card to my list serve comments just for reference.  I did not send
them with my public comment.

I believe you and I are on the same page, certainly on our mutual goals.
There is a lot of hurt, anger and frustration with the events of the past
several years.  Pat's strategy was to divide people and set them against
each other.  He is a bully and a scoundrel.  We are now turning a page.  You
and I definitely agree that the Executive Order was wrong.  We are not going
to change this fact in the next few months.  In the meantime, there are a
lot of blind people who need better services. We need to work to do our best
to make any positive change, no matter  how small, to benefit blind people.


I look forward to our convention and working with you and within our
organization to develop goals and strategies that will chart a course to
build a future worth fighting for.

Warmest Regards,

Fred

-----Original Message-----
From: nfbmi-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nfbmi-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org]
On Behalf Of David Robinson
Sent: Thursday, September 20, 2012 2:04 PM
To: 'NFB of Michigan Internet Mailing List'
Subject: Re: [nfbmi-talk] FW: Farewell letter

Dear Fred, 

   I to, give a big thank you to the current commissioners, and wished for
them a better outcome for the positions they took and the efforts they made
toward making the Commission more responsive to the blind of Michigan.  They
are really good people and I do respect each of them.  
   It is unfortunate that your private comments to the commission board
members found its way to the list serve, as it communicates a message that
has not been determined to be that of the NFB of Michigan.  The NFB of
Michigan has and will continue to work toward more meaningful and relevant
services for blind persons and we have always taken the position that
meaningful consumer input is the only avenue to making this a reality, but
the approach to accomplish this has as of yet, not been determined.  Much
will be determined by the membership at our annual convention.  
   I to, worked with the commission staff for years and know of many that I
respect, but I also know of some that I hold accountable for the downfall of
the Commission and do not in any manner respect.  They are not awful people,
but they have sold the blind out for their own personal gain and power.  We
all know who they are and we should not paint a broad brush when it comes to
the actions of some.  Management of the Commission is the greatest culprit,
but there are others as well.  
   Finally, knowing of the corruption that already exists in DLARA in the
person of Mike Zimmer,and knowing that a person from MAHS was hand picked as
the new director of BSBP,and knowing that both of these individuals have
ignored and scoffed at our efforts to get materials in an accessible form;
and a documented string of violations of state and federal laws leads me to
believe that Mr. Zimmer and his puppet regime has no intention of listening
to the blind.  If they wanted to do so, they would have really listened to
us before and tried to understand the issues and our concerns.  
   We could hope for good things if we knew that we were working with people
of integrity and who had honest concerns for blind persons, but we are not
and such expectations are truly beyond any possibility.  We can only hope
that our principles and our true commitment to the blind of Michigan carries
us through to a better time.  

Sincerely,
Dave Robinson

-----Original Message-----
From: nfbmi-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nfbmi-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org]
On Behalf Of Fred Wurtzel
Sent: Wednesday, September 19, 2012 11:45 PM
To: 'NFB of Michigan Internet Mailing List'
Subject: [nfbmi-talk] FW: Farewell letter

Hello Fellow Federationists,

 

Below is a letter that I wrote to the Commission Board on the occasion of
its last meeting.  I feel deep sadness about this event.  I am also
optimistic that we, the NFB- of Michigan will overcome this setback and will
eventually create a better structure  for services to blind people.  Never
fear, we will never quit until blind people, again, have the legal right to
determine our own future.

 

To this end, I have included our recent communication/report card to the
legislature.  We must hold the BSBP's feet to the fire and document all
progress and lack thereof.  We need to give credit where credit is due and
be unrelenting in our efforts to reform and improve services to blind
people.

 

Warmest Regards,

 

Fred

 

From: Fred Wurtzel [mailto:f.wurtzel at att.net]
Subject: Farewell letter

 

1212 N. Foster Avenue

Lansing, MI  48912

 

September 19, 2012

 

Larry Posont, Vice Chair

Michigan Commission for the Blind

201 N. Washington Square

Lansing, MI 48933

 

Dear vice Chair Posont and Board:

 

Mary and I are on our way to Colorado for our son's wedding as you meet for
the last time.  Except for this priority event in my life, I would be there
to round out my involvement in the Commission for the Blind.  The following
comments are my own and do not represent anyone else, except where noted.

 

I worked as part of the national Federation of the Blind of Michigan way
back in 1977 and '78 in the legislature to enact P.A, 260 and am very sad
about the recent Executive order which strips blind people of our ability to
have direct input into services which benefit us.  I, however, am not one to
cry over spilled milk, much.

 

For my part, I intend to give the new Bureau Director the benefit of the
doubt.  Based on comments by Chief Deputy Director Zimmer, I expect the new
Bureau Director to be committed to making drastically needed changes to set
a new course from the disastrous state he is inheriting.  The national
Federation of the Blind of Michigan has developed and circulated a report
card clearly stating our expectations for BSBP reforms and performance.  Our
organization will vigorously work to see that reforms are put in place to
improve levels of service to Michigan's blind citizens.  We will actively
and respectfully work with the new director to accomplish our goals.  We
will hold the new administration fully accountable for making necessary
reforms.

 

In my mind, there are 3 priorities which must be addressed immediately First
is reform of the Business enterprise Program to make it a showcase for the
abilities of blind people; including the expeditious re-opening of the
Anderson Building Cafeteria operated by a blind person.  Second is a full-on
effort to place at least 200 blind people in jobs during FY 2012-13 and 250
the following year.  Third is a high-profile and aggressive training and
training upgrade for Commission employees in the skills of blindness and
concentration on the idea that BSBP is in business to "change what it means
to be blind," this time for the better.  I have a lot of respect for my
former MCB colleagues, they are good people, and there simply have been very
low expectations for them by the Commission administration.  Until each and
every staff person fully embraces a positive attitude toward blind people
and blindness we will continue to languish with regard to placements and
quality services in the Bureau and particularly BEP.

 

So, I grieve the passing of several decades of an effort to democratize
services for blind people.  I look ahead with hope that with a new director,
who will actively engage blind consumers, BSBP will become an agency to be
proud of and which will truly make a difference in the lives of blind
people...

Finally, Mary and I wish to thank the 3 of you for your bold and active
effort to reform the -MCB.  You were on the road to making the agency into
the organization we all envisioned in 1978.  Your vision and efforts are
genuinely appreciated by us.  With a little more patience by the Snyder
Administration you would have fulfilled these dreams.  Unfortunately time
and history were not on your side.  Please move on and join with us to
continue your efforts knowing that at least 2 persons recognize and
appreciate your service to us as blind citizens.

 

 

Warmest Regards,

 

 

Fred and Mary Wurtzel

 

 

National Federation of the Blind of Michigan

20812 Ann Arbor Trail

Dearborn Heights, Michigan 48127

 

August 15, 2012

 

Dear Senators and Representatives:

 

            In February of 2012 Governor Snyder issued Executive order
2012-2. The National Federation of the blind strongly objected to this
Executive order and commenced a campaign to defeat it.  We were successful
in persuading the Governor to rescind the Order, an unusual event in the
history of Executive orders.  Subsequently, the Governor issued EO 2012-10.
Blind people are pleased that EO 2012-10 maintains a separate agency for the
blind and keeps the Business Enterprise Program intact and under that
agency.  We are still very concerned about the agency for the blind and its
poor performance in terms of serving blind people and following various laws
which affect blind and other Michigan citizens.

            Of foremost concern is the abolition of the Michigan Commission
for the Blind Board, the replacement of the board with a powerless advisory
committee and the merging of the state rehabilitation councils.  These
changes drastically reduce the input of blind citizens into the oversight
and policy development work of the agency.  Prior to EO 2012-10 a 5 person
Commission of governor appointed citizens were responsible for policy
setting, hiring and evaluating the Director of the agency serving blind
persons.  Though there is a committee which replaces the Commission Board,
this committee has no power and is advisory only.

            Under the former law, the Michigan Commission for the Blind
Board, which was legally required to have 3 of its 5 members be blind, was
the Federally mandated State Rehabilitation Council which has legal
responsibility for oversight of services provided under the federal
Rehabilitation act under a "state plan."  EO 2012-10 moves this
responsibility from the Commission Board to a single 17 person State
Rehabilitation Council which will direct both Michigan Rehabilitation
Services and the newly created Bureau of Services for Blind Persons (BSBP).
There is no requirement under EO 2012-10 that any 1 of these members be
blind.  We see this as a serious diminution of input of blind persons into
this critical function.

            We have advocated for the following things over the years and
will continue to advocate for them under the new EO, using the criteria
shown on the following page. We reserve the right to resume any and all
actions to secure these ideals including efforts in the legislature, in
public opinion and in the courts if necessary. We will maintain a report
card of progress on these items and will report regularly on progress or
lack thereof and will keep the legislature and the Governor's office
informed of our findings.




            Please feel free to contact Joe Sontag, Legislative Coordinator
of the National Federation of the Blind of Michigan at:

(517) 256-2514, or at suncat0 at gmail.com

            Please feel free to contact Larry Posont, President of the
National Federation of the Blind of Michigan at:

(313) 727-3546, or at president.nfb.mi at gmail.com

Sincerely,

Joe Sontag, Legislative Coordinator

National Federation of the Blind of Michigan




            1.  Intensive training of Michigan Commission for the Blind
staff in skills of blindness

      2.   Consumer driven policy and policy development

      3.   Quality training for Business Enterprise Program operators

      4.   Support, marketing, training and advocacy for blind vendors in
the BUSINESS ENTERPRISE PROGRAM to create

a highly-competitive quality driven and professional foodservice for all
customers served by the BUSINESS ENTERPRISE PROGRAM - including, but not
limited to catering, coffee, equipment, training, due process, active
participation and respect for the jobs that blind operators do.

      5.   Meet or exceed average national income for Business Enterprise
Operators

      6.   Open and transparent administration of services to blind persons,
including budgeting, purchasing, training and general administration

      7.   High emphasis on accessibility including facilities, documents
and procedures.  All business including due process, conducted in an
accessible manner including electronic, Braille, large print or other forms
required by the customer, stakeholder, constituent or other citizen's needs
with regard to disability.

      8.   Full funding of newsline and outreach to serve 5,000 blind
persons.

      9.   Staffing of the agency commensurate with similar state agencies
for the blind.

      10. Completion, maintenance and ongoing development of high-quality
data-processing systems for the vocational rehabilitation program and the
Randolph-Sheppard Program

      11. Consumer driven customer satisfaction surveys and the full
disclosure of the results of such surveys.

      12. Adherence to principles of due process and conflict resolution

      13. Strong advocacy for youth and transition age blind children

      14. High intensity adjustment to blindness services at the training
center, including sleep shades training, group mobility, challenge
activities and extended time training toward full competence in acquisition
of employment.

      15. Strong community advocacy regarding the abilities of blind persons
to compete successfully in the workplace and an active presence to break
down barriers where they exist in the public and private sectors which may
impede full access to employment and full participation in society.

      16. Strong emphasis on quality consumer driven placements

      17. At least 200 placements with a goal of 300 or more placements
annually

      18. Strong staff knowledge and competence in entrepreneurial careers
for clients who choose this path

      19. A dedication to maximizing the vocational outcomes to assure that
each consumer reaches their maximum potential as is presented in the
individual plan for employment.

      20. Inclusion of Newsline Job services on every IPE for those with
goal of competitive employment.

      21. A dedication to the principle that it is respectable to be blind
and an active and consistent effort to embed this attitude in the Michigan
community.

 

 

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