<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN">
<HTML><HEAD>
<META http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1">
<META content="MSHTML 6.00.2900.6197" name=GENERATOR>
<STYLE></STYLE>
</HEAD>
<BODY bgColor=#ffffff>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>I can't say how much I agree and that goes double
ditto to this staff. Besides while Essenberg seems to dig at NFB because it had
some meetings it should be noted that staff including Zanger has had some
meetings with Zimmer, et al about EO 2012-2 in the past and they've sure been
more privy to things than anyone in either consumer org, the EOC, or even MCB
Commissioners. Besides, the bottom line is staff are not the EOC, or aren't
supposed to be. Either we people who are blind are our own masters of our own
fate or we are not. I wonder which is it here?</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Peace with Justice,</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Joe</FONT></DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE
style="PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px">
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial">----- Original Message ----- </DIV>
<DIV
style="BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; FONT: 10pt arial; font-color: black"><B>From:</B>
<A title=brightsmile1953@comcast.net
href="mailto:brightsmile1953@comcast.net">Mary Ann Robinson</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>To:</B> <A title=vendorsmi@nfbnet.org
href="mailto:vendorsmi@nfbnet.org">NFB of Michigan Vendors List</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Sent:</B> Tuesday, April 24, 2012 10:08
PM</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> Re: [Vendorsmi] Meeting with
Mike Zimmer</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>I also want to voice my concerns about the
upcoming meeting on May first. The letter says quote:</FONT></DIV>
<DIV>"We respectfully request a phone conference between your office and the
Elected Operators Committee be established so our viewpoints and concerns can
be raised before the Executive Order is enacted and/or the final design of the
structure of the organization is completed.<FONT face=Arial size=2>"</FONT>
<P align=justify><FONT face=Arial size=2>I think that requesting a meeting
with Mr. Zimmer and the EOC is a great idea. However, the letter
says nothing about including agency staff. So, why are staff being
included? Under normal circumstances, staff should be invited to
participate.</FONT></P>
<P align=justify><FONT face=Arial size=2>However, the circumstances are by no
means normal. </FONT></P>
<P align=justify><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </P>
<P align=justify><FONT face=Arial size=2>Given the fact that management is a
huge part of the problem as evidenced by the long history and ongoing
list of issues involving the current administration that is growing
daily, flagrant and repeated violations of promulgated rules, lack of
transparency, intimidation/retaliation against operators, lack of
accountability for unacceptable staff behavior, failure to admit wrong doing,
disrespect for operators and absence of trust by operators,I believe that Mr.
Zimmer will not get an accurate picture of what the real problems are and how
serious they are if staff is on the call.</FONT></P>
<P align=justify><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </P>
<P align=justify><FONT face=Arial size=2>Also, I question whether EOC members
will be able to speak freely without fear of repercussions or staff members'
minimizing, twisting or discounting their comments. There are many
competent members on the EOC. They have a right to voice their concerns
without staff being present and, based on all of the reasons mentioned above,
isn't it time for them to begin exercising that right?</FONT></P>
<P align=justify><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </P>
<P align=justify><FONT face=Arial size=2>Mary Ann Robinson</FONT></P>
<P align=justify>----- Original Message ----- </P></DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE dir=ltr
style="PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px">
<DIV
style="BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; FONT: 10pt arial; font-color: black"><B>From:</B>
<A title=joeharcz@comcast.net href="mailto:joeharcz@comcast.net">joe harcz
Comcast</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>To:</B> <A title=suncat0@gmail.com
href="mailto:suncat0@gmail.com">Joe Sontag</A> ; <A
title=vendorsmi@nfbnet.org href="mailto:vendorsmi@nfbnet.org">NFB of
Michigan Vendors List</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Sent:</B> Tuesday, April 24, 2012 1:56
PM</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> Re: [Vendorsmi] Meeting with
Mike Zimmer</DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT><FONT face=Arial
size=2></FONT><BR></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Since when are Connie zanger and James Hull
representatives of the EOC?</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>And just who told operators either individually
or collectively that they couldn't contact the Governor? </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>That's a fundamental violation of the First
Amendment rights of all citizens including those who happen to be
blind.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Not that some folks including some who are
blind give a rip!</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Oh yes and we still have a MCB Board in place
including Mr. Posont, Mr. Scott, and Ms. Shuck.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>What are they chopped liver here?</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Joe Harcz</FONT></DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE
style="PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px">
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial">----- Original Message ----- </DIV>
<DIV
style="BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; FONT: 10pt arial; font-color: black"><B>From:</B>
<A title=suncat0@gmail.com href="mailto:suncat0@gmail.com">Joe Sontag</A>
</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>To:</B> <A title=vendorsmi@nfbnet.org
href="mailto:vendorsmi@nfbnet.org">VENDORSMI List</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Sent:</B> Tuesday, April 24, 2012 1:40
PM</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> [Vendorsmi] Meeting with
Mike Zimmer</DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT><BR></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Just a few questions from yours
truly:</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Why is this meeting not more widely known,
given the importance of the subject to all operators? Why are many
of the same people who dropped the ball at the 2011 meeting with Steve
Arwood being allowed to represent us again at this most crucial meeting
with Mr. Arwood's boss? Who's going to be doing the talking for the
BEP at this meeting and exactly what will they talk about?</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Other questions could be raised, but you get
the picture.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Here is what I received as I received
it. Read em and act.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>----- Original Message -----<BR>From:<BR>Rob
Essenberg<BR>To:<BR>Andrea Nelson<BR> ;<BR>Dale
Layer<BR> ;<BR>Garnet Prentice<BR> ;<BR>Greg
Keathley<BR> ;<BR>Hazell Brooks<BR> ;<BR>Kevin
Tomczak<BR> ;<BR>Nathan Prater<BR> ;<BR>Risa
Patrick-Langtry<BR> ;<BR>Shane Jackson<BR> ;<BR>James
Chaney<BR>Cc:<BR>Rob Essenberg<BR> ;<BR>James
Hull<BR> ;<BR>Constance Zanger<BR> ;<BR>Larry Posont<BR>Sent:
Tuesday, April 24, 2012 12:37 PM<BR>Subject: meeting with Mike
Zimmer<BR>To my fellow Elected Operators,<BR>I’m writing to inform you of
our latest contact with the Snyder Administration. Last<BR>week Thursday,
after a phone call from Hazell Brooks asking me if I thought it
was<BR>time to approach the governors administration regarding the
executive order concerning<BR>the Commission for the Blind., I told her I
thought it probably was time and I would<BR>check with James Chaney to see
how he wanted to proceed. After speaking with Mr.<BR>Chaney, we decided to
write a letter to Mike Zimmer asking for a meeting between<BR>himself and
Representatives from the Elected Operators Committee.<BR>Mr. Chaney
directed me to draft the letter. After several revisions, James
Chaney,<BR>Hazell Brooks and Constance Zanger approved the content of the
letter, which is attached<BR>for your reference. The letter was sent out
on Friday afternoon, April 20, 2012 and<BR>within a couple of hours we had
a response back from Mr. Zimmer. The response was<BR>as follows:<BR>Mr.
Essenberg:<BR>Thank you very much for reaching out on behalf of the
Elected Operators Committee.<BR>I think it is an excellent idea that we
meet, by teleconference or in person, to<BR>discuss where we are heading,
possible approaches, and implementation issues.<BR>With this email, I am
asking my assistant, Rita Jenks, to set something up at a time<BR>that is
convenient for you and whoever you would like to participate.<BR>Mike
Zimmer<BR>Hello Mr. Zimmer<BR>Please find attached a document with some
concerns of the Elected Operators Committee.<BR>Sincerely,<BR>Robert
Essenberg<BR>Vice Chair, Elected Operators Committee<BR>We have set a
meeting date with Mr. Zimmer. It will be Tuesday, May 1<BR>st<BR>. James
Chaney, Hazell Brooks, Greg Keithley, James Hull, Constance Zanger and
myself<BR>will be attending the meeting.<BR>Further updates on this
meeting and the executive order should be forth
coming.<BR>Sincerely,<BR>Robert Essenberg<BR>Vice Chair. Elected Operated
Committee<BR></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>April 20, 2012</DIV>
<DIV>
<P align=justify></P>
<P>Good Afternoon Mr. Zimmer,<BR><BR>I am writing to you on behalf of the
Chair of the Elected Operators Committee James Chaney, and the other ten
members of the committee, including myself. Our body has stayed relatively
silent on the subject of the Governor's order, because we were told when
the initial order came out not to contact the Governor's office regarding
that topic. </P>
<P align=justify></P>
<P align=justify>We believe that given the current circumstances, we as
the leadership of the Elected Operators should be allowed to voice our
opinion. This executive order the Governor has created to facilitate a
more streamlined Commission and Business Enterprise Program is going to
effect all 79 operators substantially<B>.</B> We think that our input as
the elected representatives of these 79 folks who are running food service
operations in state and federal buildings should be allowed, so that we
may voice our concerns and our wishes before the executive order is
executed. </P>
<P align=justify></P>
<P align=justify>We understand the National Federation of the Blind of
Michigan, as well as President Larry Posont, has had meetings on this
topic with the Governor's staff, as well as different legislators here in
Lansing. Their viewpoints may not be representative of all of our 79
vendors. We recognize the excellent work the NFB does on behalf of blind
consumers, although the EOC would like the opportunity to express their
views as the elected representatives of the blind vendors of Michigan. The
NFB plays an advisory role to the EOC and the BEP through it’s presence on
the Ad Hoc Committee. Our committee,<FONT color=#ff0000> </FONT>like the
operators as a whole, is also responsible for working with the agency in
developing the training programs necessary to create good food service
operations in the state and federal buildings, which we believe is a
concern of the Governor's office.</P>
<P align=justify></P>
<P align=justify>We believe it is necessary that we are involved in the
conversations to design the new model going forward between now and
October 1st. We respectfully request a phone conference between your
office and the Elected Operators Committee be established so our
viewpoints and concerns can be raised before the Executive Order is
enacted and/or the final design of the structure of the organization is
completed.</P>
<P align=justify></P>
<P align=justify>Please feel free to contact me at <U><FONT
color=#0000ff>rob.essenberg@yahoo.com</U></FONT> or 231-638-2036, or James
Chaney at <U><FONT color=#0000ff>resolutioncomm@sbcglobal.net</U></FONT>
or 313-213-7795.</P>
<P align=justify></P>
<P align=justify> </P>
<P align=justify>Sincerely,</P>
<P align=justify></P>
<P align=justify>Robert Essenberg</P>
<P align=justify>Vice Chair, Elected Operators Committee</P>
<P align=justify></P>
<P align=justify> </P>
<P align=justify>RLE/gmj</P></DIV></FONT>
<P></P><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT><FONT
face=Arial size=2></FONT>
<HR>
<P></P>_______________________________________________<BR>Vendorsmi
mailing
list<BR>Vendorsmi@nfbnet.org<BR>http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/vendorsmi_nfbnet.org<BR>To
unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
Vendorsmi:<BR>http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/vendorsmi_nfbnet.org/joeharcz%40comcast.net</BLOCKQUOTE>
<P>
<HR>
<P></P>_______________________________________________<BR>Vendorsmi mailing
list<BR>Vendorsmi@nfbnet.org<BR>http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/vendorsmi_nfbnet.org<BR>To
unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
Vendorsmi:<BR>http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/vendorsmi_nfbnet.org/brightsmile1953%40comcast.net
<P>
<HR>
<P></P><A></A>
<P align=left avgcert?? color="#000000">No virus found in this
message.<BR>Checked by AVG - <A
href="http://www.avg.com">www.avg.com</A><BR>Version: 2012.0.1913 / Virus
Database: 2411/4956 - Release Date: 04/24/12</P></BLOCKQUOTE>
<P>
<HR>
<P></P>_______________________________________________<BR>Vendorsmi mailing
list<BR>Vendorsmi@nfbnet.org<BR>http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/vendorsmi_nfbnet.org<BR>To
unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
Vendorsmi:<BR>http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/vendorsmi_nfbnet.org/joeharcz%40comcast.net</BLOCKQUOTE></BODY></HTML>