[nfbmi-talk] FW: Farewell letter

joe harcz Comcast joeharcz at comcast.net
Thu Sep 20 19:41:45 UTC 2012


I think that Zimmer is a scoundrel and scofflaw and a documented one at 
that. He has violated the Rehabilitation Act, both Title I and Section 504. 
He has violated the Executive Reorganization Act. He has violated the ADA. 
And those are three fundamental laws he has violated let alone Public Act 
260 which he has illegally gutted to the core.

Now, these are not opinions but documented facts.

How can we deal with scofflaws on a collegial manner?

This as stated several times a conscious and willful mass misapproopriation 
of federal funds.

By the way there is no, and I repeat no sympathy for the mass scofflaws at 
RSA who violate their own llaws and allow others to do so as well.

Joe
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Fred Wurtzel" <f.wurtzel at att.net>
To: "'NFB of Michigan Internet Mailing List'" <nfbmi-talk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Thursday, September 20, 2012 3:28 PM
Subject: Re: [nfbmi-talk] FW: Farewell letter


> 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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