[Vendorsmi] FLAGRANT INJUSTICE IN THE Michigan Commission fortheBlind Business Enterprise Program!

Tue Jun 19 13:23:55 UTC 2012

Right on target Mary Ann!

Might I add the lack of adequate training for a BEP career, and the corrupt
passage of trainees who obviously don't and can't exhibit the basic skills
of blindness and business management; the failure to promote the BEP through
through the hiring of blind individuals as employees in BEP operations; the
practice of licensing sighted persons to operate BEP facilities, with the
misappropriation and misuse of funds intended for employment of the blind,
and resulting in the loss of inventory and set-aside funds taken away by the
sighted licensees, without any legal ramifications for either the sighted
persons or the state employees who violated the law, ripping-off blind BEP
licensees of set-aside fees and other set-aside benefits.

And yet, the sighted leadership of the current administration believes it
knows best what is efficient and most beneficial for the blind for their
futures and business program.  That's just what we need--a new and
additional level of incompetent non-business bureaucrat types running our
programs, businesses, and future lives.  All this under the banner of the
governor's attempt at more efficient government.  Well Mr. Government work
to welfare for the blind is not efficient by any stretch of the imagination.
I understand, Mr. Governor, that you and your administrators and advisors,
cannot possibly imagine the abilities and true performance balue of of blind
individuals in the workplace, but the reality is your vision of blind
persons iscolored by the fact that you and your associates have not been
exposed and surrounded by the well-trained and competent blind individuals
in their respective fields.  All we need as blind persons is the
"opportunity" to demonstrate our abilities, without interference of those
persons, sighted and blind alike, who believe they "know" what is in our
best interest.  I and my fellow blind citizens want WORK not WELFARE.  Give
us a fair "opportunity", free of discrimination and pre-judgment based on
our physicaltraits and affiliation, and I guarantee we as blind citizens
will wow and amaze you as partners in achieving a new culture and efficiency
in government.

Respectfully,

Terry Eagle

-----Original Message-----
From: vendorsmi-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:vendorsmi-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of joe harcz Comcast
Sent: Sunday, June 17, 2012 7:24 PM
To: Mary Ann Robinson; NFB of Michigan Vendors List
Subject: Re: [Vendorsmi] FLAGRANT INJUSTICE IN THE Michigan Commission
fortheBlind Business Enterprise Program!

Right on!

	----- Original Message ----- 
	From: Mary Ann Robinson <mailto:brightsmile1953 at comcast.net>  
	To: rick.snyder at michigan.gov 
	Cc: l schuck <mailto:laschuck at juno.com>  ; NFB of Michigan List
<mailto:nfbmi-talk at nfbnet.org>  ; vendorsmi <mailto:vendorsmi at nfbnet.org>  ;
zimmerm at michigan.gov ; john scot <mailto:jcscot at sbcglobal.net>  
	Sent: Sunday, June 17, 2012 6:17 PM
	Subject: [Vendorsmi] FLAGRANT INJUSTICE IN THE Michigan Commission
for theBlind Business Enterprise Program!

	        Dear Governor Snyder, Mr. Zimmer, Commissioners,     and
Fellow List Members:

	I believe that there is a time and a place for righteous anger and
indignation; and I am experiencing these feelings for the following reasons:

	#1. Since Fred Wurtzel left as manager of the Michigan Commission
for the Blind Business Enterprise Program  (BEP), several years ago, there
have been about thirty grievances/lawsuits.  Several hundred thousand
dollars and by now perhaps close to a million dollars have been spent in
legal settlements or to seek assistance in addressing legal issues resulting
from inappropriate or incompetent BEP management decisions made by Constance
Zanger and/or James Hall.
	#2. Program staff frequently fail to appear at legal hearings when
subpoenaed.  In one recent case alone, six court ordered subpoenas were
ignored. 
	#3. Management has not had the fortitude to support and defend
operators when illegal caterings have taken place in state buildings
resulting in thousands of dollars in lost income for operators.  One of the
most blatant examples of this is at the State Capitol.

	#4. Management seriously violates promulgated rules as set forth in
Public Act 260.  The latest case in point is the State Plate fiasco.
	#5. BEP management often takes the side of the building manager when
a complaint comes to their attention without even consulting with the
operator.
	#6. BEP management often uses intimidation when dealing with
operators - many of whom have lost trust and respect for management and/or
are afraid to speak up out of fear of retribution and/or retaliation.
	.#7. Of great concern is the fact that BEP management exhibits
prejudice and discriminates against National Federation of the Blind
members.  In October of 2011, an announcement about the National Federation
of the Blind of Michigan's state convention was deliberately not placed on
an information line than announces items and resources of interest to
operators.  Members of the Federation have also been targeted unjustifiably.
Competent, knowledgeable, qualified, honest, committed, dedicated,
respected, and trusted  BEP employees have lost their jobs unfairly due to
these behaviors

	It is incomprehensible to me that nothing has been done or is being
done by those who have the means to do so to put an end to these abhorrent
and unacceptable behaviors and practices.Further, I don't understand why
those responsible have not been held accountable and disciplined.  What will
it take for these abominable activities to stop?  How much more needless
suffering must operators' endure?  How many more of tax payers dollars must
be squandered?  How many more blind people must go without services because
money is being spent on legal fees that can be avoided?  When will those who
have been grievously wronged receive the justice they deserve?

	The Michigan Business Enterprise Program was once top rated and
among the most respected in the country.  Today, it is viewed as one of the
more problematic programs.  Allowing the above mentioned behaviors and
practices to continue will ultimately result in the destruction of the
Business Enterprise Program in Michigan as well as in the loss of numerous
jobs for blind people.

	Respectfully submitted,

	Mary Ann Robinson

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