[nfbmi-talk] Fw: FOIA Response to Request for Information on MI Restaurant Contract & RFP on BEP Data System

Wed Aug 20 02:42:33 UTC 2014

And then again Hitler said it was kind of ok to conquer Europe because we had those darned Jews and Gypsies and handicapped folks and such to deal with.

And then again most folks in the state apparatchek were just lazy slobs just like the miserable, lazy and corrupt outright slobs in BSBP.

Now if people think I'm being defammatory then I ask what about Dave Robinson, or meor anyone or most anyone on this list. Most of us have been blued, screwed and tatooed by BSBP and the State of Michigan in various capacities and outside of the laws of this land in spite of all the federal bucks....Go figure ehe?
----- Original Message ----- 
From: joe harcz Comcast 
To: Haynes, Carla (LARA) 
Cc: Rodgers, Edward (LARA) ; Luzenski, Sue (LARA) ; Pemble, Mike (LARA) ; Belknap, Katie (LARA) ; Zanger, Connie (LARA) ; Essenberg, Rob (LARA) ; Hull, James (LARA) 
Sent: Thursday, July 17, 2014 7:37 PM
Subject: Re: FOIA Response to Request for Information on MI Restaurant Contract & RFP on BEP Data System

So the following statements by Ed Rodgers to the MCRS at the May 2, 2014 meeting were not quite truthful, or should we say had a bit of blarney in them?
"
latory Affairs - Bureau of Services for Blind Persons (LARA-BSBP):  Ed Rodgers, Director

BSBP Training Center

It was reported that the Training Center Director, L. Kisiel, has managed to reduce the waiting list to enter the training center from 6 months to zero since beginning her new job responsibilities in August 2013.  New innovations at the center have improved services to customers, with shorter periods of attendance required to still obtain the highest level of assistance.  Scheduling has evolved to four 10-week terms, similar to college programming, in order for customers to complete their training requirements.  To make more use of unused spaces at the training center, new training options for the Business Enterprise Program (BEP) have been initiated for one year at the center, with a first class of 3 BEP customers, with two customers successfully completing the training and now eligible to begin entering bids for available facilities in the BEP.

Business Enterprise Program (BEP)

A brief overview was provided of the BEP, which is a federal and state program that gives preference to blind entrepreneurs in either federal or state operated buildings, including Michigan highway rest stops, to run either snack and/or vending machines.  

Update:  BEP Operator in Anderson House Office Building, Downtown Lansing

BSBP has been working hard to get BEP operators back into the Anderson building after a recent absence.  A goal for the end of May has been set for this to take place.

Division of Business Assistance and Development

Under the leadership of its new Director, Rob Essenberg, this division has been combined with the BEP.  Both divisions will be housed in the Anderson building.  

Partnership with Michigan Restaurant Association

Some of the Association's members will be giving BSBP products that will be sold at various facilities.  Contracts are in the process of being finalized.

BSBP Data System

BSBP is currently in the process of updating its data system for information management.  A RFP (request for proposals) is being finalized for bids for a new data collection system, which will be working with the BEP and vending routes for more computerized monitoring of stock levels in operator machines."

Joe Harcz
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Haynes, Carla (LARA) 
  To: joe harcz Comcast 
  Cc: Rodgers, Edward (LARA) ; Luzenski, Sue (LARA) ; Pemble, Mike (LARA) ; Belknap, Katie (LARA) ; Zanger, Connie (LARA) ; Essenberg, Rob (LARA) ; Hull, James (LARA) 
  Sent: Thursday, July 17, 2014 4:55 PM
  Subject: FOIA Response to Request for Information on MI Restaurant Contract & RFP on BEP Data System

  July 17, 2014

  Mr. Paul Joseph Harcz, Jr.

  E-mail: joeharcz at comcast.net

  1365 E. Mt. Morris Rd.

  Mt. Morris, MI 48458

  Re:  FOIA Response to Request for Information on Michigan Restaurant Association (and/or Other Private Restaurants) Contracts and RFP for BEP Data System

  Dear Mr. Harcz, Jr.:

  This email is in response to your June 26, 2014, email request for information, received by this office on June 27, 2014, of which an extension was taken through July 17, 2014.  Please be advised that the Bureau of Services for Blind Persons (BSBP) is processing this request under the state's Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), MCL 15.231 et seq. 

  You have requested information as described in your email (which is also below) as:

  "I am asking you today for the contract between BSBP (a federally created and funded Vocational Rehabilitation Agency) and the Michigan Restaurant Association and any private restaurants contracted with and referenced in the above.

  I am also requesting the referenced RFP related to the BEP data System which by the way you've been talking about ever since you assumed the directorship of the BSBP in October of 2012 and which was a part of the findings and rrecomendations of the Michigan Auditor General's report in November, 2012."

  FOIA Response - P.J. Harcz, Jr.

  Page 2 of 2

  July 17, 2014

  In regards to your request for the contract or contracts between BSBP and the Michigan Restaurant Association and any private restaurants, your request is denied.  To the best of my knowledge, information or belief, no such contract or contracts exist.

  In regards to your request pertaining to the RFP related to the BEP data system, this information is denied under MCL 15.243, Section 13(m) of the FOIA as the information is preliminary to a final agency decision.

  Under the provisions of MCL 15.240, Section 10(1) of the state's FOIA, you may (1) submit a written appeal regarding the disclosure denial of any portion of your FOIA request to Steve Arwood, Director, Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Attention: Michael Zimmer, Chief Deputy Director, P.O. Box 30004, Lansing, MI 48909. Your appeal must include the word "appeal" and identify the reason(s) for reversal of any disclosure denials; or (2) you may file an action in an appropriate court within 180 days after this notice. If you prevail in court action, the court may award you reasonable attorney fees, costs, and disbursements. If the court finds the Department's actions to be arbitrary and capricious, the court shall award you, in addition to any actual or compensatory damages, punitive damages in the amount of $500.00.

  Sincerely,

  Carla Miller Haynes, FOIA Coordinator

  Bureau of Services for Blind Persons

  Attachments - Email Request for Information

  cc:     Edward F. Rodgers II

  Sue Luzenski

            Mike Pemble

  Katie Belknap

            Rob Essenberg

            Constance Zanger

            James Hull

  From: joe harcz Comcast [mailto:joeharcz at comcast.net]  

  Sent: Thursday, June 26, 2014 10:43 AM 

  To: Rodgers, Edward (LARA) 

  Cc: Luzenski, Sue (LARA); Mike Pemble BSBP Dep. Dir.; Christyne.Cavataio at ed.gov; Lamb, Elden (OAG); 

  Marlene Malloy MCRS Dir.; BRIAN SABOURIN; trina edmondson mcrs dac; Michael Poyma VA MCRS; 

  nfbmi-talk at nfbnet.org; Gary Gaynor; commissioner-hudson at outlook.com; Joe Sibley MCBVI Pres.; 

  BSBPcommissioners 

  Subject: request perported rfp contracts

  June 26 2014 RFP and MRA Contract

  Paul Joseph Harcz, Jr.

  1365 E. Mt. Morris Rd.

  Mt. Morris, MI 48458

  810-516-5262

  joeharcz at comcast.net

  To:

  Edward Rodgers, Director

  Mich. Bureau of Services to Blind Persons (BSBP)

  Dear Mr. Rodgers,

  I point you to the following:

  (From: Draft MCRS Minutes May 2 2014)

  "Business Enterprise Program (BEP)

  A brief overview was provided of the BEP, which is a federal and state program that gives preference to blind entrepreneurs in either federal or state operated buildings, including Michigan highway rest stops, to run either snack and/or vending machines.  

  Update:  BEP Operator in Anderson House Office Building, Downtown Lansing

  BSBP has been working hard to get BEP operators back into the Anderson building after a recent absence.  A goal for the end of May has been set for this to take place.

  Division of Business Assistance and Development

  Under the leadership of its new Director, Rob Essenberg, this division has been 

  combined with the BEP.  Both divisions will be housed in the Anderson building.  

  Partnership with Michigan Restaurant Association

  Some of the Association's members will be giving BSBP products that will be sold at various facilities.  Contracts are in the process of being finalized.

  BSBP Data System

  BSBP is currently in the process of updating its data system for information management.  A RFP (request for proposals) is being finalized for bids for a new data collection system, which will be working with the BEP and vending routes for more computerized monitoring of stock levels in operator machines."

  I am asking you today for the contract between BSBP (a federally created and funded Vocational Rehabilitation Agency) and the Michigan Restaurant Association and any private restaurants contracted with and referenced in the above.

  I am also requesting the referenced RFP related to the BEP data System which by the way you've been talking about ever since you assumed the directorship of the BSBP in October of 2012 and which was a part of the findings and rrecomendations  of the Michigan Auditor General's report in November, 2012.

  As always I thank you for your prompt and accessible response to this inquiry of a public official dealing with public funds.

  I know by your comments recently at the MCRS meeting that you will be forthcoming in supplying such information and the documentation of such claims to the MCRS too.

  Sincerely,

  Paul Joseph Harcz, Jr.

  Cc: NFB MI

  Cc: ED, MCRS

  Cc: MCRS Members

  Cc: RSA

  Cc: BSBP Commission

  Cc: several

  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