[Nfbmo] Fw: [nfbmi-talk] Director of Mi. Comm. f/t Blind is target.

fred olver goodfolks at charter.net
Thu Jan 28 16:59:33 UTC 2010


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "trising" <trising at sbcglobal.net>
To: "NFB of Michigan List" <nfbmi-talk at nfbnet.org>; "Larry Posont" 
<president.nfb.mi at gmail.com>; "Fred Wurtzel" <f.wurtzel at comcast.net>
Sent: Thursday, January 28, 2010 10:34 AM
Subject: [nfbmi-talk] Commission for the Blind


> From: Cannon, Patrick (DELEG) [mailto:
> cannonp at michigan.gov
> ]
> Subject: Commission for the Blind
>
>
> Blind training center director targeted over target practice
> Comments 2 | Recommend 1
>
> Marksmanship class could earn Christine Boone dismissal
> January 27, 2010 6:01 PM
>
>
> KALAMAZOO, Mich. (NEWSCHANNEL 3) - The blind taking target practice? At 
> first it sounds preposterous, but it actually did happen in Kalamazoo and 
> now it has landed the Director of Kalamazoo's Blind Training Center in Hot 
> Water. Christine Boone is the director of the Michigan Commission for the 
> Blind's Training Center in Kalamazoo, and she tells Newschannel 3 that she 
> is facing a disciplinary conference with her superiors because she let 
> some of the training center's students take a marksmanship class. But 
> Boone definitely has some people saying that she didn't do anything wrong.
>
>
>
> Boone wasn't available to do an on camera interview with Newschanne 3 
> today, but she did tell us some details about the case she is now facing. 
> She says that the marksmanship classes with pellet guns were held in the 
> fall of 2009, beginning in September and running until November, when her 
> superiors canceled the classes.
>
>
>
> The students only used pellet guns and were supervised by a center 
> employee who Boone says had a carry permit, and was very familiar with 
> firearms. Boone also says that her superiors signed off on the program, 
> but now it appears the classes have earned her an investigation at the 
> state level, because firearms are generally not allowed on state property, 
> and the training center is just that.
>
>
>
> Ron Lambe is the Board Chair of The Disability Network, as well as a 
> person who went blind later in life and is an advocate for the blind. 
> After hearing about this investigation, and the potential dismissal of 
> Boone, he did have a reaction.
>
>
>
> "There should be absolute access for anyone who wants to participate in 
> anything as long as safety issues are dealt with." said Lambe, who 
> graduated from the training center 5 years ago, and also has established 
> an advocacy group in that time called 'The Blind Starfish' 
> www.blindstarfish.cfsites.org.
>
>
>
> Lambe says that to not allow the blind to handle firearms in a controlled 
> setting is unfair, assuming that it's done in a safe environment, "the 
> message being you can do whatever you want to do in this society 
> regardless of your disability." He does admit though that the training 
> center does have a ban on firearms and that firearms are banned from state 
> land.
>
>
>
> Lambe's position is echoed by one person who feels everyone should be 
> allowed access for guns, the Co-Owner of On Target Guns, Jeff Cramer. 
> Speaking to Newschannel 3 Cramer admitted that he wouldn't have a problem 
> with the blind getting the experience of shooting a gun, since there is 
> far more to it, then just using your eyes and setting your sights on a 
> target.
>
>
>
> "They probably like to experience a lot of things it's a lot of sensation 
> to it beyond that they're fairly harmless in a controlled environment," 
> said Cramer.
>
>
>
> Neither Lambe nor Cramer are thrilled that Boone is facing disciplinary 
> action over the marksmanship class, especially since it was done with 
> pellet guns, at what is considered the safest environment for the blind, 
> the Kalamazoo Blindness training center.
>
>
>
> Lambe in particular says if the commission did initially sign off on it, 
> the students should have been allowed to shoot, "if the approvals were 
> obtained and waivers relative to the law ....then again it would fall into 
> why shouldn't they."
>
>
>
> Lambe supports the range of activities that are offered at the center, and 
> insists that Boone and her staff would never put any students in harm's 
> way.
>
>
>
> "There is a terrific staff of dedicated people there that take every 
> possible concern precaution relative to student safety," said Lambe.
>
>
>
> The center has done risky activities in the past, it took a group of 
> students skydiving in 2008 near Hastings, and Lambe admits many would 
> consider that far more dangerous than firing a pellet gun.
>
>
>
> The incident and reaction prompted skepticism, and a bit of 
> incredulousness from Cramer who believes Boone certainly didn't do 
> anything horribly wrong.
>
>
>
> "It sounds rather silly to me. And I'm sure that when clearer heads put 
> their minds together sure they'll rectify it, it sounds like someone who 
> just doesn't like firearms, and they're carrying it over into something as 
> simple as airguns," said Cramer.
>
>
>
> While Lambe continued to emphasize that it's about access to all 
> activities as long as the law is obeyed, and approvals are met.
>
>
>
> "People with all disabilities should have open access to participate in 
> all recreational and social activity as they wish with reasonable 
> accommodation... under the big umbrella of all activities and access to 
> all, this certainly falls," said Lambe.
>
> Newschannel 3 Contacted the Michigan Commission for the Blind, which falls 
> under the purview of the Michigan Department of Energy, Labor and Economic 
> Growth to get a statement, but were told that there would be no comment on 
> this case, saying it was a personnel review, and an open investigation.
>
> Mario Morrow the spokesperson for DELEG did say that Boone had been placed 
> on paid administrative leave, and that her hearing, originally scheduled 
> for Jan 28 had been postponed until February 4th. Boone did tell 
> Newschannel 3 that she applied for an extension, and has retained an 
> attorney, Anne Marie Mizel, from the law firm of Stokes, Roberts and 
> Wagner in Pittsburgh. Mizel's bio says that she has expertise in civil 
> rights, employment law and civil procedure
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Mario L. Morrow
>
> Director of Communications
>
> Senior Policy Executive
>
> (517) 373-9280 Telephone
>
> Department of Energy,Labor & Economic Growth
>
> 611 W. Ottawa Street 4th Floor
>
> Lansing, MI 48933
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