[Vendorsmi] Fw: Port Huron and Mentors

Tue May 14 22:17:17 UTC 2013

Much as predicted here.  At least there was a response.

What do you think?

----- Original Message ----- 
From: Garnet 
To: John McEntee ; Joe Sontag 
Sent: Tuesday, May 14, 2013 17:28
Subject: Fwd: Port Huron and Mentors

Sent from my iPhone

Begin forwarded message:

  From: "Zanger, Connie (LARA)" <zangerc at michigan.gov>
  Date: May 14, 2013, 12:53:58 PM EDT
  To: "Garsvend at aol.com" <Garsvend at aol.com>
  Cc: Rob Essenberg <rob.essenberg at yahoo.com>, "resolutioncomm at sbcglobal.net" <resolutioncomm at sbcglobal.net>, "sjx3 at sbcglobal.net" <sjx3 at sbcglobal.net>, "keathleygreg at yahoo.com" <keathleygreg at yahoo.com>, "jiggyzee at att.net" <jiggyzee at att.net>, "Kevin Tomczack (momandmikey at hotmail.com)" <momandmikey at hotmail.com>, "Nathanual Prater (thecrave at me.com)" <thecrave at me.com>, "lisalweber at yahoo.com" <lisalweber at yahoo.com>, "osvrjo at gmail.com" <osvrjo at gmail.com>, "lucynmisty at yahoo.com" <lucynmisty at yahoo.com>, "Hull, James (LARA)" <hullj at michigan.gov>, "Rodgers, Edward (LARA)" <rodgerse at michigan.gov>, "Luzenski, Sue (LARA)" <LuzenskiS at michigan.gov>, "Pemble, Mike (LARA)" <PembleM at michigan.gov>, "Belknap, Katie (LARA)" <BelknapK at michigan.gov>
  Subject: RE: Port Huron and Mentors

  Good morning, Garnet;

  Thank you for your inquiry regarding the Port Huron Vending Route.  It is always appreciated when Committee members and operators bring their questions directly to the Agency, rather than continue to wonder and speculate.  The following responds to your two inquiries.

  Regarding the I-94 Port Huron Vending Route:

  You are correct.  The condition at of the Port Huron Vending Route had seriously deteriorated.  Not only had Mr. Pertee failed to service the vending route, he also failed to maintain the equipment and report equipment malfunctions.  While the Agency cannot  verify your assertion that Mr. Pertee failed to pay sales tax, you may be correct that he was deficient in this aspect of his business, as well.

  And, you are correct that it is the Program’s goal to provide opportunities for blind persons to have a viable means of making a living.  To that end, Agency staff attempted to work with Mr. Pertee to assist him in properly managing this facility.  You may also know that more than one E O C member attempted to help Mr. Pertee.   Perhaps even Mr. Pertee’s classmates reached out to him.  Unfortunately, Mr. Pertee was not receptive to these attempts.

  Mr. Pertee surrendered his license to operate a Business Enterprise Program facility in the State of Michigan on Friday, May 3rd, turning over his keys to Agency staff that afternoon.  On Monday, May 6th, a product inventory was taken and the vending machine locks removed and replaced.  On that same day, the Agency signed a temporary operator Agreement with All Star Vending.  It is the same Agreement the Agency uses when engaging any temporary operator.  Just as other temporary operators use State of Michigan equipment, All Star Vending, as the temporary operator, is using State of Michigan equipment.  All Star immediately began servicing the sites on the vending route.

  On Friday, May 9th, B E P management and E O C leadership visited 3 of the 6 sites on this vending route.  This group found the vending machines (except where waiting for parts) to be fully functional, immaculately clean and fully stocked.  

  While this may not be the way you would have resolved this issue, the Agency chose this resolution as best for the Program for the following reasons:

·         The Agency’s Memorandum of Understanding with M DOT includes this condition:  Assure that vending machines will not be inoperable more than 12 consecutive hours without just cause.  Assume complete responsibility for damage or theft of vending machines, vending machine areas and all contents.  Vandalized machines will normally be removed within 24 hours.  One of each product type machine must be operable and vending products at all times.  Given this requirement, the vending machines had to be brought back to full service immediately.

·         The need for an operator was immediate.  To comply with the Memorandum of Understanding, the Agency could not leave the vending facility unattended while the established bid process unfolded and an operator could be identified.

·         The Agency considered many temporary operators, including recently graduated students.  It was our judgment that a temporary operator would not have the resources as you described to build up the vending route.  And, it was our judgment that it would be a grave disservice to turn the vending route over to a brand new operator.

·         The repair service procurement process the Agency is constrained to use is cumbersome and causes delays in bringing equipment to full service.  You are all too well aware, perhaps painfully so, of the delays that occur due to the repair service process.  In light of the need to meet the conditions of the Memorandum of Understanding, the Agency did not have the luxury of completing the repairs.

·         The need for fully stocked vending machines was immediate.  While the State of Michigan has a statewide contract with Gordon Food Service, the Agency has recently had significant difficulties with Gordon’s honoring B E P purchase orders issued against the contract.  Most recently these difficulties have been experienced at Cadillac Place and the Environmental Protection Agency.  Again, In light of the need to meet the conditions of the Memorandum of Understanding, the Agency did not have the luxury of utilizing the established product procurement process.

·         Finally, the Agency wished to have the facility up and running well prior to the first of the summer holiday weekends.

  Any one of these factors would be a challenge for an operator coming to this facility.  Taken all together, the Agency judged it to be onerous to expect an operator to assume these responsibilities.  Additionally, the Agency wished to have the facility up and running well prior to Memorial Day holiday weekend; and to have it well established by the Labor Day holiday weekend.  It was our judgment that the use of All Star Vending as a temporary operator was the right solution.

  Early in October, the Agency will evaluate the business.  Based on the evaluation results, the facility (all 6 sites) will be placed on the bid line.

  Regarding Mentors:

  The Agency has often used retired B E P operators as mentors for struggling or new operators.  The Agency has used Bill Myers as a mentor on several occasions.  And despite our pleas, Bill has always refused payment for his services.  Recently, the Agency arranged with Tom Carpenter to mentor Henry Mosley as Henry moved from the Hannah Building to the Romney Building, a politically very sensitive facility.  Also recently, Brenda Karsies mentored new operator Silvia Trevino at the Kent County D H S office.  The Program did not compensate these mentors, and for reasons of client confidentiality, cannot  inquire of Voc Rehab if they provided this service.  While we have reached out to other retirees, they have not always been willing or available to assist.

  It is hoped this information has been helpful to you, Garnet.  As always, if you have further questions or require additional information, you are invited to contact me or James Hull.

  With best regards always,

  Constance Zanger

  Business Enterprise Program Manager

  Bureau of Services for Blind Persons

  Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs

  517/335.3639

  517/335.5140 (facsimile)

  From: Garsvend at aol.com [mailto:Garsvend at aol.com] 
  Sent: Saturday, May 11, 2013 4:35 PM
  To: Zanger, Connie (LARA)
  Cc: abj.vending at yahoo.com; jrvending87 at yahoo.com; sunkat at wmis.net; sjx3 at sbcglobal.net; keathleygreg at yahoo.com; resolutioncomm at sbcglobal.net; jiggyzee at att.net
  Subject: Port Huron and Mentors

  Hi Constance,

       I was very disappointed to find out that the Port Huron
  vending route was turned over to the private sector. I know this route
  was run down and needs a lot of work. Mr. Pertee had this route for
  almost 2 years and no real or effective corrective action ever took
  place. How could anyone not paying sales tax, not filling the
  machines, no inventory, etc. last so long. Now, why is the agency
  taking a job opportunity away from a qualified candidate? Why are you
  turning state owned equipment over to the private sector? I've heard
  the inventory was an issue. There has been many inventory shortage
  issues in the past and there was always a way to deal with it. I'm
  sure if an existing operator was to accept this route they would be
  willing  to use their own money for the starting inventory. Just like I had to do.

  The agency could get caught up in less than 30 days. I feel the agency took the
  easy way out even though the agency is just as responsible for the
  condition of this route as the prior operator. It's a shame. Isn't  the 

  purpose of the agency to employ blind people and  not sited people.
      Also. I would like to know how many operators have agency
  provided mentors? I would like to know who the mentors are and how
  much they are getting paid?  Is VR or the BEP paying for their
  services? Are there former BEP retirees providing that service?

  Thanks as always,

  Gar
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