[nfbmi-talk] Fw: Conflict of Interest Complaint

[joe harcz Comcast]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: joe harcz Comcast 
To: Rodgers, Edward (LARA) 
Sent: Friday, October 18, 2013 3:42 PM
Subject: Re: Conflict of Interest Complaint


Sir,

As area supervisor who signs all authorizations for extended work, transition programs, vocational evaluations with New Horizons for BSBP clients?

It is after all Gwen McNeal who has signed off on hundreds of thousands to New Horizons Vocational Rehab. Inc. over years with much of this being done, as in FY 2013 while she served on their Board of Trustees.

And your allusions to working with consumer groups like NFB or MCBVI are irrelevant.

No area supervisor for BSBP also is a Board member of NFB or MCBVI while at the same time authorizing state and federal expenditures to either. And I would be livid if they were.

Again New Horizons is not a consumer organization, but rather a CRP, complete with sheltered workshops that employ many PWD at sub-minimum wages in a segregated environment.

And they recived more than one million from BSBP and MRS this fiscal year alone.

The conflict is apparent upon its face.


  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Rodgers, Edward (LARA) 
  To: joe harcz Comcast (joeharcz at comcast.net) 
  Cc: Luzenski, Sue (LARA) 
  Sent: Friday, October 18, 2013 2:31 PM
  Subject: Conflict of Interest Complaint


  Good afternoon Mr. Harcz,

   

  Mr. Michael Zimmer, Chief Deputy Director of the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) has asked me as the Director of the Bureau of Services for Blind Persons (BSBP) to respond to your recent conflict of interest complaint concerning BSBP employee Ms. Gwen McNeal. 

   

  I have investigated your allegations concerning Ms. Gwen McNeal.  During my investigation I discovered that these are not new allegations.  

   

  Our investigation of the conflict of interest allegation reveals that Gwen McNeal explained her voluntary service on the New Horizon Board in January, 2012.  On February 1, 2012 Pat Cannon, Director of the Michigan Commission for the Blind (MCB) requested that Janet McClelland, Executive Secretary of the State Board of Ethics present his letter as a request for an Advisory Opinion of the Board.  

   

  Briefly the background is Ms.  McNeal was first appointed to the New Horizons Board in 2010 for a 1 year term.  She was reappointed in 2011 for a 2 year term with approval of her Supervisor.  Ms. McNeal is strictly a volunteer, receiving no compensation, and meets with the Board on her own time and does not directly supervise the 2 counselors who may interact with New Horizons.  

   

  Ms. Marie Lisle, Personnel Director of LARA became involved in this matter and eventually on July 9, 2012 Ms. McNeal signed a statement which was given to Marie Lisle.  The statement stated in pertinent part and was drafted by the Department.

   

  "You must recuse yourself from all votes on anything coming before the board related to financial interactions, contractual arrangements or programmatic services with the Michigan Commission for the Blind (MCB) or the Bureau of Services for Blind Persons, which will be created October 1, 2012."

   

  It is my understanding that the Board of Ethics found no conflict of interest in this situation. After reviewing this situation I don't believe this is a conflict of interest.  We have always encouraged our employees to be involved in any activity which is not in conflict with our official duties which does serve the blind community.  We've always had employees who were involved with NFB, the American Council and other worthwhile community groups.  

   

   

  Edward F. Rodgers II

  Director

  Bureau of Services for Blind Persons