[nfbmi-talk] I Can Connect program funding

Mon Nov 4 22:16:25 UTC 2013

The more I read this the angrier I get. These so-and-sos try to charge more 
of advocates for us for simpleinformation that should be public than they 
would spend on an individual if they deliverred the services they are 
required to deliver.

Keep at 'em Marcus.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Marcus Simmons" <president at map-n.org>
To: "NFB of Michigan Internet Mailing List" <nfbmi-talk at nfbnet.org>; 
"Haynes, Carla (LARA)" <haynesc at michigan.gov>
Sent: Monday, November 04, 2013 4:59 PM
Subject: Re: [nfbmi-talk] I Can Connect program funding

> Dear Carla Haynes,
>
> I am requesting to withdraw my September 21, 2013, FOIA request.
>
> The request for the copy of the contract of October 21,23 and 28 still 
> stands, thank you.
>  ----- Original Message ----- 
>  From: Haynes, Carla (LARA)
>  To: president at map-n.org
>  Cc: Rodgers, Edward (LARA) ; Luzenski, Sue (LARA) ; Pemble, Mike (LARA) ; 
> Belknap, Katie (LARA) ; Duell, Elsie (LARA) ; Jones, Leamon (LARA) ; 
> Gaston, Diamalyn (LARA)
>  Sent: Monday, November 04, 2013 4:40 PM
>  Subject: I Can Connect program funding
>
>
>  Hello,
>
>
>
>  I am in receipt of your email to Director Rodgers contained below.  Are 
> you requesting to withdraw your September 21, 2013, FOIA request?  In this 
> request you asked for:  "I am writing you today to request any 
> correspondence, including e-mails between yourself and anyone either 
> departmentally (within Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, or with the 
> Rehabilitation Services Administration) (r)elative to "I Can Connect". 
> Specifically, I need the copy of the program guidelines, the contact 
> persons providing your department with the information on this program, 
> financial data, contact information on who will do the training, 
> compensation scales and who will dispense the funds and on what 
> conditions."
>
>
>
>  You have been sent an invoice (10-9-13) in regards to the above request 
> for the amount of $319.62, of which one-half of the amount ($159.81) was 
> due as a deposit to begin the processing of this request.  To date we have 
> not received your payment.
>
>
>
>  Are you also withdrawing your FOIA requests of October 21st, 23rd and 
> 27th, 2013, which were combined into one request?  This request currently 
> has an extension taken to November 12, 2013.  The information in this 
> request is as follows:
>
>
>  "..Apparently, Perkins renegotiated the contract with LARA earlier this 
> year and signed the agreement in April of 2013.  However, in July of 2013, 
> Perkins refused to pay for services and directed providers to seek their 
> money from BSBP.  Therefore, I am requesting a copy of that contract."
>
>
>
>  (Description from email of 10-23-13): "I am writing you today to request 
> a copy of the contract between the Perkins School for the Blind and DSBP 
> concerning obligations in the "I Can Connect" program in which you alluded 
> to in your comments on Saturday at the NFBMI State Convention."
>
>
>
>  (Description from email of 10-27-13): "I am writing you today for the 
> third time to request a copy of the contract between the Perkins School 
> for the Blind and DSBP concerning obligations in the "I Can Connect" 
> program in which you alluded to in your comments on Saturday, October 19, 
> 2013 at the NFBMI State Convention. The audio clip is attached for your 
> recollection."
>
>
>
>  Please let me know.
>
>
>
>
>
>  Carla Miller Haynes
>
>  LARA Bureau of Services for Blind Persons (BSBP)
>
>  201 N. Washington Square, 2nd Floor
>
>  P.O. Box 30652
>
>  Lansing, MI  48909
>
>  Telephone:  517-373-2063 or Toll-Free 1-800-292-4200
>
>  Fax:  517-335-5140
>
>
>
>  www.michigan.gov/bsbp
>
>
>
>
>
>  From: Marcus Simmons [mailto:president at map-n.org]
>  Sent: Sunday, November 03, 2013 7:31 PM
>  To: Jackie Ellington; Rodgers, Edward (LARA)
>  Cc: nfbmi-talk at nfbnet.org; Luzenski, Sue (LARA)
>  Subject: I Can Connect program funding
>
>
>
>  Dear Mr. Edward F. Rodgers,
>
>
>
>  I understand you are a very busy person and depend on your staff to do 
> research and supply you with all the answers to questions submitted by the 
> public. It has come to my attention; some of the information given to you 
> by your staff is flawed.
>
>
>
>  Take for instance, the "I Can Connect" program.
>
>
>
>  I have been asked to provide funds for a FOIA search for the contract 
> between DSBP and the Perkins School for the Blind, which was to provide 
> financial support for equipment and training for qualified deaf/blind 
> individuals.
>
>
>
>  My personal research indicates from Perkins School for the Blind that no 
> such contract is in effect. Perkins states, "Perkins is the certified 
> entity in 13 states but not in Michigan. The certified entity in Michigan 
> is Bureau of Services for Blind Persons. Perkins does provide some 
> services in Michigan (database and equipment procurement) but BSBP manages 
> the program in the state. As such, BSBP provides services and submits 
> claims for reimbursement to the FCC through their subcontracted fund 
> manager, RLSA of Pennsylvania."
>
>
>
>  I have contacted them and there appears to be a connection between DSBP 
> and Rolka Loube Saltzer Associates of Pennsylvania and this is as far as I 
> have got.
>
>
>
>  Therefore, I will not support payment for a FOIA search for the Perkins 
> contract since it is irrelevant.
>
>
>
>  You are now directed to contact the subcontracted fund manager for 
> operational funds to continue with the "I Can Connect" program in 
> earnests.
>
>
>
>  Cordially,
>  Marcus Simmons - President
>  ASE Certified Technician
>  Motown Automotive Professionals nonprofit
>  A 501(C)(3) Public Charity
>  55390 Lion Industrial Drive
>  New Hudson, MI 48165-8544
>  (248) 552-8928
>  See our story at:
>  http://www.carcrazycentral.com/Video.aspx?VideoID=306
>  And get more information at:
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>  Email: president at map-n.org
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