[blind-democracy] Fw: was their concern for blind in flint area?
- From: "joe harcz Comcast" <joeharcz@xxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <blind-democracy@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Mon, 11 Apr 2016 18:26:57 -0400
From the head of the agency/DSA....What a load of documented pure bullshit!
SMH means shaking my head.
----- Original Message -----
From: Zimmer, Mike (LARA)
To: joe harcz Comcast
Cc: Rodgers, Edward (LARA) ; Sarah Gravetti MISILC DNM ; Rodney Craig ED MSILC
; Calley, Brian (GOV) ; Marlene Malloy MCRS Dir. ; BRIAN SABOURIN ; Elmer
Cerano MPAS ; Larry Posont NFBMI Pres.
Sent: Monday, April 11, 2016 2:23 PM
Subject: RE: was their concern for blind in flint area?
Dear Mr. Harcz:
This will acknowledge your email communication outlining several issues
surrounding State of Michigan services for the blind and disabled in the Flint
community. As with all Michigan state departments, the Department of Licensing
and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) and the Bureau of Services for Blind Persons
(BSBP) are closely monitoring the Flint water situation on a daily basis to
ensure that all citizen needs are being met. Assistance in finding or
obtaining services has been extensively communicated through associations,
community groups, the LARA website, and directly from our agency. Regarding
the specific issues raised in your email, they have been addressed and resolved
by BSBP.
We appreciate your concern and advocacy for the citizens of Flint and all
citizens served by our agency. You have my assurance that LARA and BSBP will
continue to promptly address any new issues that may arise in the future.
Sincerely,
Mike Zimmer, Director
Michigan Department of Licensing & Regulatory Affairs
Mike Zimmer, Director
Dept. of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs
611 W. Ottawa Street
Lansing, Michigan 48909
517-241-7124
From: joe harcz Comcast [mailto:joeharcz@xxxxxxxxxxx] ;
Sent: Thursday, April 07, 2016 9:12 AM
To: Zimmer, Mike (LARA) <zimmerm@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
Cc: Rodgers, Edward (LARA) <rodgerse@xxxxxxxxxxxx>; Sarah Gravetti MISILC DNM
<SARA@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>; Rodney Craig ED MSILC <rodney@xxxxxxxxxx>; Calley, Brian
(GOV) <Brian.Calley@xxxxxxxxxxxx>; Marlene Malloy MCRS Dir.
<marlene@xxxxxxxxxx>; BRIAN SABOURIN <BSABOUR@xxxxxxxx>; Elmer Cerano MPAS
<ECERANO@xxxxxxxx>; Larry Posont NFBMI Pres. <president.nfb.mi@xxxxxxxxx>
Subject: was their concern for blind in flint area?
April 7 2016 BSBP Email Chain Flint Water Consumers
Paul Joseph Harcz, Jr.
1365 E. Mt. Morris Rd.
Mt. Morris, MI 48458
joeharcz@xxxxxxxxxxx
810-516-5262
Re: Only mention of concern for BSBP consumers
To Whom it May Concern:
As many know I received Freedom of Information Act releases of how the Michigan
Bureau of Services for Blind Persons has assisted, or not blind people in Flint
and indeed in Genesee County related to resources and the ongoing Flint Water
Crisis. In all of the hundreds of pages there was only one set of e-mail
exchanges that really addressed direct concern about getting resources
including bottled water to consumers, or even staff of BSBP who by the way
officed at the Flint State office Building that had bottled water as of January
7, 2015!
Please look at the exchange between the interim Kalamazoo Training Director and
one of the Flint BSBP counselors after my signature line. I applaud the concern
and due diligence of the Training Center person, Ms. White here. She shows
leadership, social responsibility and just plain caring that I did not see in
other posts. I find it ironic that she did all this and works six hours away
while those in the Flint Office have showed little due diligence at least from
the releases.
Another point here and it goes to the fact Ms. Carla Haynes and Mr. Ed Rodgers
has made a big deal that I don't live directly in Flint, but, rather I do
engage in Flint and live two miles from the Flint Water system. Look at the
paranoia, and the concern of the BSBP counselor who lives in Grand Blanc. It
goes to the fact this is a county wide issue.
I'm also concerned with the statement apparently by BSBP area supervisor Beth
White that seems to say don't deliver any more water for people have enough, or
words, and references to that effect. In fact the crisis is still ongoing and
blind and disabled people are not getting home deliveries which are why the
state is facing another lawsuit to ensure home deliveries of water and filters.
And that is going on now!
But, with all of this said the other e-mail exchanges and the fact I don't get
direct answers to direct questions without FOIA delays shows a culture of total
lack of concern at best for blind persons in this county and beyond. It also
goes directly to the top with Ed Rodgers and his continued spin control on this
issue over just treating people who are blind in this county like human beings
rather than some sort of nuisances.
I'll write more on that later.
Sincerely,
Paul "Joe" Harcz, Jr.
Cc: several
Attached e-mail chain:
From: White, Shenique (LARA)
Table with 2 columns and 3 rowsSent: Friday, January 22, 2016 12:05 PM To:
Lawrence, Sharday (LARA) Subject: RE: Flint Table endGirl, don't play. Do you
need this water??? If I need to bring it to YOU, I really
will. That was the reasoning behind what I was doing. BSBP should be
supporting BSBP. The employees, their families and consumers.
Shenique D. White
Administrative Assistant to
Interim Training Center Director
& Interim Rehabilitation Services Division Director
BSBP-Training Center
1541 Oakland Drive
Kalamazoo, MI 49008
(269) 337-3853
Fax (269) 337-3872 From: Lawrence, Sharday (LARA)
Sent: Friday, January 22, 2016 12:00 PM
To: White, Shenique (LARA)
Subject: RE: Flint
Shenique I really appreciate you reaching out to me personally and the people
of Flint!!
You ARE definitely making a difference. People have asked me about it and even
made jokes, but NO ONE has offered me water besides my mother and you. That's
the
truth. So thank you! It's getting expensive because I cook with bottled water
now
because I just don't know. Like I said, I live in Grand Blanc, but you can
never be too
sure and I would rather not risk it. Going through your church is a great move
though.
These people need it as well as the blessings that will cover every case along
the way
from Kalamazoo to Flint . Sharday Lawrence, M.A.
Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor
Bureau of Services for Blind Persons (BSBP)
Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs
125 E. Union Street, 5th Floor
Flint, MI 48502
989-385-1346 (Cell)
1
810-760-2032 (Fax)
LawrenceS1@xxxxxxxxxxxx
From: White, Shenique (LARA)
Sent: Friday, January 22, 2016 11:47 AM
To: Lawrence, Sharday (LARA)
Subject: RE: Flint
I am taking the water to one of the churches here (my church, Mt Zion). My
Pastor made a push for all the churches (Northside Ministerial Alliance) in our
area to donate water and the City of Kalamazoo volunteered to transport the
water to Flint. So I will purchase the water and take there and it will be on
its
way to Flint Tuesday. It saves me a trip. I really did want to bring it there
personally, but that won't be happening. The water is being transported to one
of the Flint churches. They said they within the community and people can
come and graciously get water.
I'm trying not to be discouraged. I would like to volunteer my time but I can't
during the week. An 8 hour day would be take up with 5-6 hours of travel and I
have to be home for my children. I really wanted to do something to make a
difference. Maybe I still am. I hope you're not affected by the lead in any
way. Guess I'll catch you at the mandatory staff meeting. . Shenique D. White
Administrative Assistant to
Interim Training Center Director
& Interim Rehabilitation Services Division Director
BSBP-Training Center
1541 Oakland Drive
Kalamazoo, MI 49008
(269) 337-3853
Fax (269) 337-3872 From: Lawrence, Sharday (LARA)
Sent: Friday, January 22, 2016 10:42 AM
To: White, Shenique (LARA)
Subject: RE: Flint
Sooo I was telling Beth and Fred how great this was that you were helping out!
Obviously it is NOT a good idea smh She said Flint has enough water and we
shouldn't be delivering it. womp
Sharday Lawrence, M.A.
2
Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor
Bureau of Services for Blind Persons (BSBP)
Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs
125 E. Union Street, 5th Floor
Flint, MI 48502
989-385-1346 (Cell)
810-760-2032 (Fax)
LawrenceS1@xxxxxxxxxxxx
From: White, Shenique (LARA)
Sent: Friday, January 22, 2016 9:21 AM
To: Lawrence, Sharday (LARA)
Subject: RE: Flint
Now you know it's bad when the bottled water is bad. Come'on!!! I am
purchasing bottled water today and will be bringing it to the Flint office
Monday. I have contacted Beth and Janet. Yall got room for about 50 cases of
water to take home or drink at the office or take to consumers' homes when you
do visits?
Shenique D. White
Administrative Assistant to
Interim Training Center Director
& Interim Rehabilitation Services Division Director
BSBP-Training Center
1541 Oakland Drive
Kalamazoo, MI 49008
(269) 337-3853
Fax (269) 337-3872 From: Lawrence, Sharday (LARA)
Sent: Friday, January 22, 2016 9:17 AM
To: White, Shenique (LARA)
Subject: RE: Flint
Hey!!
I live in Grand Blanc, but it's SO CLOSE that I'm not sure what is really going
on with
my water either. I don't drink anything around here anymore. It's scary because
I think
of all of the times I used our water fountains here in the Flint office before
they
provided us with a filtered water machine, and all of the times I've bought
coffee and
eaten out at Flint restaurants. It is really sad for the children and the
elderly, but many
people are affected. I'm surprised that they have not tested us Flint-based SOM
employees for lead. I'm going to get my blood tested by my PCP in a week or so
3
because she wants to document my levels just in case. Also, I just heard
yesterday
from other staff in this building that some of the water that was donated to
families here
has a recall! Whichever brand that had Star Wars on it recently, not sure which
it was
smh. So people are drinking tainted bottled water as opposed to the tainted
Flint water.
It is crazy around here.
Sharday Lawrence, M.A.
Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor
Bureau of Services for Blind Persons (BSBP)
Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs
125 E. Union Street, 5th Floor
Flint, MI 48502
989-385-1346 (Cell)
810-760-2032 (Fax)
LawrenceS1@xxxxxxxxxxxx
From: White, Shenique (LARA)
Sent: Tuesday, January 19, 2016 2:19 PM
To: Lawrence, Sharday (LARA)
Subject: Flint
Hey there, do you live in Flint? Are you affected by the water situation or
have
family that is? My church is collecting water and getting it to Flint and all
but I
am looking into how BSBP can help those who are directly affected rather it be
our consumers or employees.
Shenique D. White
Administrative Assistant to
Interim Training Center Director
& Interim Rehabilitation Services Division Director
BSBP-Training Center
1541 Oakland Drive
Kalamazoo, MI 49008
(269) 337-3853
Fax (269) 337-3872
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- » [blind-democracy] Fw: was their concern for blind in flint area? - joe harcz Comcast
