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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Dear Terry, <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'> Thank you for your statements,
and your passion for the blind of <st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Michigan</st1:place></st1:State>.
What you say is so trueand I to believe that the BEP has a valuable place in
the lifes of the blind,and if those who oversee it, either agency or operators,
do not put their self serving greed aside, the opportunity for a better and productive
life will be lost to the blind. If that happens who knows when we will
wake up an experience an opportunity such as the BEP. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Dave<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<div class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><font size=3
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>
<hr size=2 width="100%" align=center tabindex=-1>
</span></font></div>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Tahoma;font-weight:bold'>From:</span></font></b><font size=2
face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'>
vendorsmi-bounces@nfbnet.org [mailto:vendorsmi-bounces@nfbnet.org] <b><span
style='font-weight:bold'>On Behalf Of </span></b>Terry Eagle<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Sent:</span></b> Tuesday, February 14, 2012
9:34 AM<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>To:</span></b> 'Joe Sontag'; 'NFB of <st1:State
w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Michigan</st1:place></st1:State> Vendors List'<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Subject:</span></b> Re: [Vendorsmi] do the
BEP promulgated rules really matter?</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Right on Joe and dave! Joe has pointed out a major factor when BEP
licensees knowingly and willfully dchoose to not meet there legal obligations
with consequences. And yet, the lack of consequences is derived from a
lack of expectations by program management. But what can be expected from
incompetent management that has a poor attitude about blindness and what the
blind can actually do, as well as management that knows little about business,
and could not interpret a financial statement or BEP monthly report if their
job or life depended upon doing so with competence, and have only gotten their
jobs, advanced, and stay in their jobs through literally sleeping with the
right person(s), and as Larry so pointedly stated that they are just carrying out
Pat Cannon’s evil orders. They all can deny that fact all they can,
as did James Hull, yet if it were nor true, then why are they not standing with
the majority of the blind, fighting for improvement and survival of the
BEP? That question I extend to the blind operators who also sleep in the
very crowded bed with management, with full knowledge and complicity that those
operators do not meet there legal obligations, are promoted while
out-of-compliance of program rules and policies, and manipulation of
theirnmumbers and reports, while claiming to be for blind people and survival
of the program, and yet, advocating for such things as “secondary
priority” for blind persons who are indeed BLIND, UNEMPLOYED, more
QUALIFIED, COMPETENT, and have more INTEGRITY than any of thoseso-called
self-proclaimed advocates of the blind and BEP. And in their narcisstic
way, they believe the BEP and their top locations will always be there because
they are where where they want to be, and moreover, in their twisted minds,
will be able to pervert and control the program to preserve that which they now
have.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Dave is so right also. I have seen first-hand, while adbocating
vigorously for the retention of the license of more than one blind operator,
where the BEP management “OBJECTS” to the introduction and argument
that the failure of BEP management to follow program rules and their mandated
obligations, while espousing the failure of operators’ to follow rules
and fulfill mandated obligations. BEP management objection is grounded in
RELEVANCE to the failure to perform up to par. What am I missing in this
argument? Is not an operator’s expected performance stand or fail
upon a mutually signed facility agreement? Does the agreement demand
mutual fulfillment of express obligations on the part of all parties to the
agreement? Is it not quid pro quo, something for something? How can
it be argued that one can allege violation of terms of the agreement, and it it
not be relevant whether the other party fulfilled tgeir obligations? If
the counter-claim or defense is not revelant, then why the need for an
agreement in the first place. It is a well recognized legal doctrine in
basic contract law that certain obligations of one party must be fukfilled in
order to trigger the responsibility to fulfill obligations of the other
party. For example, to trigger an operator’s obligation to make a
certain profit percentage and pay a certain set-aside fee, is it not
reasonable, and even legally mandated that the other party, the MCB-BEP, first
provide appropriate and adequate training, provide an adequate facility,
provide appropriate and adequate equipment, supply an appropriate and adequate
inventory, and provide appropriate and adequate on-going support and training,
and on and on? I need not give true examples of where each of those
examples and unnamed others have failed to be provided, as we all know and can
cite numerous examples involving different operators, and yet, such examples
are not revelent to the fulfillment of obligations by an operator? Has
BEP management and the EOC not heard of the theory of cause and effect?
Perhaps if the BEP management and EOC look in the mirror and do an honest
assessment of their legally mandated roles, we would not be either facing breaking
the law for an illegal interview process and stringent business plan, and
selling out to the sighted business world. I believe that if those
operators and BEP management supporting such a process should demonstrate their
leadership by first fulfilling the State Plate business proposal requirements
and publish them to the blind community. After all, how else are we the
blind to know that those indiuals are truly QUALIFIED to EVALUATE and
SELECT the most qualified operator for the State Plate. In
addition, those in support of the of the interview and business plan process,
in good faith, do the same for their current facility, as a demonstration of
their allegence to, and faith in, such a brilliant idea. I official make
that a challenge to all of those in support of protecting the
“blind” and “Secondary blind” priority, as the law
allegedly and arguably provides. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>It is my sad prediction that were the BEP to be lost for the blind, it
will be actually because of the revelation that through manipulation, greed,
and failure of blind persons BEP and MCB management are not achieving the
MISSION and SPIRIT of the Randolph-Sheppard Act and P.A. 260—to be
financially independent and be financial contributors to society. When
others, the disabled, politicians, and public policy-makers can demonstrate
such failure, then in fact, BEP for the blind will be history. And the
so-called advocates, blind and sighted alike, will be sitting on their butts
enjoying their handsome inflated retirement pensions.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>What is it going to take to wake-up the sleeping blind to the ultimate
threat to the survival of BEP for the blind?? Like the tale of Rip
VanWinkle, by the time the blind wake-up, much time and many things will have
passed them by, and the difference between Rip VanWinkle and blind sleeping
experience is that the blind will be in the world of reality.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<div class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><font size=3
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>
<hr size=2 width="100%" align=center tabIndex=-1>
</span></font></div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><b><font size=2 face=Tahoma><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;font-weight:bold'>From:</span></font></b><font
size=2 face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'>
vendorsmi-bounces@nfbnet.org [mailto:vendorsmi-bounces@nfbnet.org] <b><span
style='font-weight:bold'>On Behalf Of </span></b>Joe Sontag<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Sent:</span></b> Tuesday, February 14, 2012
6:02 AM<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>To:</span></b> David Robinson<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Cc:</span></b> VENDORSMI List<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Subject:</span></b> Re: [Vendorsmi] do the
BEP promulgated rules really matter?</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>I reject the claim that the training is the problem where
operator compliance is concerned. Most of the serious violations are
happening at the hands of experienced operators in the employer responsibility
area, they are willful and they happen mostly because there are no consequences
unless the operator in question has done things to anger BEP administration,
such as help protect another operator's rights. I have been penalized for
operating a business properly and for showing the financials as they were, not
as I always wished they could be, and I have seen operators receive promotion
points for "training" based on nothing more than their word and I am
sick and tired of sitting on my ass and telling myself that it will all just
work out somehow. The PAs have a job that is defined by both the Civil
Service and by our promulgated rules, yet Cannon, Zanger, Hull and god knows
who else work harder at getting their responsibilities reduced than they do at
strengthening and growing our program. Remember, the topic includes both
operators and the agency and, in my opinion, there's more than enough blame to
go around. As free as certain highly regarded operators are free to break
the law and rip off the program, the BEP administration is even more free to
ignore or break the rules and sell the program down the river, at no risk to
themselves.</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>This is not a sheltered rehab shop, this is not a blindy
pity party, this is an employment program, one that gives blind adults the
opportunity to provide real service in exchange for real financial
compensation, consistent with applicable laws, all of which they agree to as a
condition of participation in the program. If the BEP dies, it will be
hard to distinguish between the effects of operator exploitation and BEP staff
indifference and incompetence when trying to determine the cause of death.</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<blockquote style='border:none;border-left:solid black 1.5pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 4.0pt;
margin-left:3.75pt;margin-top:5.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:5.0pt'>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>----- Original Message ----- <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div style='font-color:black'>
<p class=MsoNormal style='background:#E4E4E4'><b><font size=2 face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold'>From:</span></font></b><font
size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'> <a
href="mailto:drob1946@gmail.com" title="drob1946@gmail.com">David Robinson</a> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold'>To:</span></font></b><font size=2
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'> <a
href="mailto:suncat0@gmail.com" title="suncat0@gmail.com">'Joe Sontag'</a> ; <a
href="mailto:vendorsmi@nfbnet.org" title="vendorsmi@nfbnet.org">'NFB of
Michigan Vendors List'</a> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold'>Sent:</span></font></b><font size=2
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'> Monday, February
13, 2012 10:50<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold'>Subject:</span></font></b><font size=2
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'> RE: [Vendorsmi] do
the BEP promulgated rules really matter?<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Dear Joe, <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'> This is an excellent example
of the problem throughout the program. Larry does a good job of pointing
out that part of the agency’s role is to help the operator to stay in
full compliance. This is not a one sided issue however. The agency
has an obligation to adhere to the rules as well. To carry out their
responsibility as the <st1:place w:st="on">SLA</st1:place> and to move a blind
person from rehabilitation to employment. In today’s BEP, I suspect
that the problem does not mean an unwillingness to follow the rules, but the
training or lack of training, that operators have been given. I also contend
that some of the rules are outdated and lacking any understanding of how the
business world works. If the training was good then many of the rules
would not be necessary. Finally, why is the discussion of rules only
about the operator? The agency is willing to break them when they need to
do so.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Dave Robinson<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<div>
<div class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><font size=3
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>
<hr size=2 width="100%" align=center tabIndex=-1>
</span></font></div>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Tahoma;font-weight:bold'>From:</span></font></b><font size=2
face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'> vendorsmi-bounces@nfbnet.org
[mailto:vendorsmi-bounces@nfbnet.org] <b><span style='font-weight:bold'>On
Behalf Of </span></b>Joe Sontag<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Sent:</span></b> Monday, February 13, 2012
9:18 AM<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>To:</span></b> VENDORSMI List<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Cc:</span></b> Steve Arwood<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Subject:</span></b> [Vendorsmi] do the BEP
promulgated rules really matter?</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>I now offer you a clue as to why the Business Enterprise
Program is so fouled up. Listen carefully to the following discussion on
the topic "Operators/Agency Staff consistently following rules as they are<br>
written," which is one of the issues before the ad hoc. Mr. Hull's
remarks are extremely revealing, as is the vote that was taken near the end of
the session.</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>This may be downloaded at the link below:</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><a
href="http://dl.dropbox.com/u/22266576/Ad%20hoc%20%2002032012%20excerpt1.MP3">http://dl.dropbox.com/u/22266576/Ad%20hoc%20%2002032012%20excerpt1.MP3</a></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
</blockquote>
</div>
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