[stylist] Blind NYC vendors targeted by Mayor Bloomberg, NFB member asking for assistance

[Donna Hill]

Hi Friends,

This is a forward from Christine Grassman, a blind teacher, blogger and NFB
member. Please help circulate and protect the livelihoods of blind vendors
in New York.

Thanks,

Donna Hill

 

  _____  

From: Christine Grassman [mailto:cgrassman1009 at gmail.com] 
Sent: Monday, June 06, 2011 10:57 PM
To: cgrassman1009 at gmail.com
Cc: Gary Grassman; Neil W. Browne; David Stayer; cjake1222 at nyc.rr.com;
mmurberg at wsfssh.org; D.W. Hill
Subject: Dr. Bloomberg Is At It Again: Mike Wants to Slim Waistlines and
Wallets

 

Dear All:

 

Christine Grassman here.  I am sending a blog post I have just written in
response to the ridiculousness regarding mandates involving sugary beverages
on city-owned properties.  The petition generated some time ago is at the
end of the post.  Please send to anyone you think might be of assistance in
this matter: public officials, media, friends, family, etc.

Christine

            BElow  is a petition that interested customers of blind vendors
who manage facilities on New York City-owned properties can sign.  Later
this week, I will get to work on a vendor petition.  If you read the
petition, it is quite self-explanatory. Please feel free to circulate and
publicize this.

 

I wish to point out a few things:

. In October, 2009, this travesty was brought to our attention -- but
vendors were told that the matter was being "put on hold."  When this was
pointed out this morning at a meeting betweenNew York State Commission for
the Blind staff and an elected representative of the New York State Blind
Vendors Committee,  and representatives  of the Mayor's office and  of the
City Department of Health, the reason for this was "that was a public
relations issue."  Anyone remember, back in October, 2009, what "public
relations issue" might have put this health initiative by Dr. Mike on the
back burner?  Why, yes, it was the notorious third term election coming up
in a few short weeks.  Who wants to risk the potential media nuisance of
slimming the wallets of blind vendors while protecting the public from
itself?

 

You will notice below that one of the self-appointed billionaire health
czar's edicts is that beverages containing more than 25 calories in eight
ounces are not permitted.  This would include items such as whole milk,
orange juice, cranberry juice, grapefruit juice, etc.  

 

            Currently, there are nine blind vendors who would be directly
affected by these mandates.  NOne of these individuals commands a salary
greater than $50,000.  There are nine employees hired cumulatively by these
nine vendors.  Ah, hell, eighteen people and thousands of customers --
nothing to concern ourselves with, right?   What of the customers whose
choices are being impacted by these mandates?  Then, there is that pesky
slippery slope -- once the city gets away with impacting blind vendors and
their customers, why not go for bigger game?  Your bodega, convenience
store, delicatessen, your bar -- might be next.  

 

            Of course, for now, customers of blind vendors  could go outside
the city-owned buildings to the city-owned streets, where vendors with
street cards do not have to comply with these mandates.  Those vendors spend
quite a lot on city permits and licenses; it is doubtful that the mandates
will be extended to them any time soon.

 

            It brings a tear to the eye the way these tax-avoiding
millionaires and billionaires work to protect us from our proletarian vices.
The small business owner who is not savvy enough to be floating about Wall
Street  collecting taxpayer-funded bailout bonuses, who is selling tangible
items that cannot be faked in fraudulent swaps and nonexistent loans, who
hands over what the customer wants, whether or not it is good for his or her
cholesterol, blood pressure, or waistline -- is being treated like a naughty
child who needs  the protection and guidance of those who   are worried just
enough about our health to affect the income of the little guy or gal and
and the well-being of the obese, sugar-addicted, caffeine-addled customers,
but not enough to want to fund preventive health care.  The compassion and
largesse have their price, but it is paid by small business people, disabled
small businesspeople, and customers who can step outside and find the
verboten products in a cart up the street -- a city street, with city
licenses and permits.  Well, now, that's a tad more exercise for them each
time they get a hankering for something -- those steps can add up.

 

 

 

PETITION IN OPPOSITION TO PROPOSED CITY-WIDE BEVERAGE STANDARDS 

 

We the undersigned are vehemently opposed to New York City's proposed
implementation of the following measures with respect to the sale of
beverages:

Vendors will be mandated to allot no more than two columns in refrigerators
or vending machines to high-calorie beverages. 

* High-calorie beverages may not exceed 12 ounces.

* Aside from these columns, any other beverages must not exceed 25 calories
per 8 ounces.

* Water or seltzer may not contain artificial sweeteners, colors, or
flavors.

* Vendors will be asked to offer more favorable prices on "healthier"
beverage choices.

The undersigned are appalled, offended, and outraged that our right to
purchase beverages is being restricted and controlled by government. The
mayor and the city council are not our parents and we are not children.
These measures would be an inconvenience and insult to us, as well as cause
economic harm to the vendors we patronize.

IGNATURE:      ADDRESS: 

 






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