[nfbmi-talk] Yesterday's Closed Commission Meeting

[Fred Wurtzel]

Greetings Fello Federationistss,

 

Yesterday's Commission meeting was quite gratifying for those of us, (the
NFBM) who have been working to reform the Commission.  Everything discussed
in the public part of the meeting, (we cannot say for certain what was
discussed in the closed meeting) was on our agenda for the Board.  We
presented our issues at the march meeting and they were considered in a
special closed meeting yesterday.   We have succeeded in causing them to
deal with our issues. The best part is that they decided to do the things we
asked.

 

1.	We told the Board they had the power to write policy for the agency.
Their attorney General representative told them in the public meeting, in
answer to a direct question from Mike Geno, that they, indeed may write
policy.  This is huge!  The board can now deal directly with such policy
matters as the college policy without the misguided, mean-spirited and
hateful input from Pat Cannon through his staff.

 

2.	As we have said, the Board must review the full transcript from BEP
administrative hearings.  They decided they would do so.  They were also
advised they have the power to reverse a "final agency Decision" in a BEP
case.  Again this is very powerful.  

 

Through the organized and persistent work of the NFBM power is shifting from
the MCB administration to the board where it belongs.  We created the
Commission so consumers may have a voice in the direction of services to
blind people.  Yesterday's meeting proved that the system does work.  

 

It must be stated that Pat Cannon will not give up easily.  He will try to
set us back.  We must keep up the pressure.  We must use all means of public
opinion, the legal system and our moral compass to keep on making gains.
President Posont and the Board are doing an awesome job.  I want to express
my personal gratitude and admiration for the good job.

 

Remember, we may lose a skirmish or battle, but we never lose the war
because we don't quit until we win.

 

Warmest Regards,

 

 

Fred