Friday, February 27, 2015

Marcia Zacardi speaks against SERVICE DOGS

Marcia Zacardi, UCO Vice President, speaks out at an Operations Committee Meeting on the 24th against Service Dogs and Disabled Vet plates. Clearly not knowing regulations on Service Animals, or any knowledge of State law pertaining to handicapped or disabled vet plates. I am writing this because she chose to specifically name me and my Service Dog.

to Zacardi:

Before you speak, make sure you have all your duckies in a row... 

1. Sadie is a Nationally registered SERVICE DOG. Trained by Jason Divito, Certified Service Dog trainer at Canines 4 Hope Dog Training.  You may recognize him or the name of his organization from the recent coverage on a local news program praising the work he does for Vets and training their dogs. He trains and registers each dog with The United States Service Dog Registry.
You can verify Sadie's registration at http://usservicedogregistry.org  
Her ID Code:1341855705

Her service to me is not of your concern and I do take issue with discussing MY PERSONAL AND MEDICAL issues in a public meeting without my presence or permission. How would you like me to bring up your personal issues at a Delegate Assembly Meeting? 


2. If you look at my license plates on my car, It DOES 

have the Handicap placard on the front plate as 
well as the rear.

3. My motorcycle has Disabled Vet plates (you will notice they clearly start with the letters "DV") and 

entitles me to same rights as my car.

4. Many VETS came back from various wars, conflicts, Operations or whatever they wish to call them and not everyone has VISIBLE injuries.


Since you obviously know NOT of what you speak, feel free to contact me if you need assistance in figuring out any of the above information, or I suggest you contact the local VA Hospital, or better yet, read a document online at http://ada.gov (see below for what you will see...makes me think about a horse...)


Disabled Vets and Service animals are clearly not your forte.


It has been suggested that I submit a story for the Reporter on this subject, but instead I think I will instead do it on my blog. http://bobusnret.blogspot.com/ in the coming weeks.


For the person suggesting a fee for having a service dog or horse, well, it clearly states below that you can not charge a fee, so...

  • U.S. Department of JusticeCivil Rights Division
    Disability Rights Section
    ADA 2010 Revised Requirements

    Service Animals

    The Department of Justice published revised final regulations implementing the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) for title II (State and local government services) and title III (public accommodations and commercial facilities) on September 15, 2010, in the Federal Register. These requirements, or rules, clarify and refine issues that have arisen over the past 20 years and contain new, and updated, requirements, including the 2010 Standards for Accessible Design (2010 Standards).

    Overview

    This publication provides guidance on the term “service animal” and the service animal provisions in the Department’s new regulations.
    • Beginning on March 15, 2011, only dogs are recognized as service animals under titles II and III of the ADA.
    • A service animal is a dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for a person with a disability.
    • Generally, title II and title III entities must permit service animals to accompany people with disabilities in all areas where members of the public are allowed to go.

    How “Service Animal” Is Defined

    Service animals are defined as dogs that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities. Examples of such work or tasks include guiding people who are blind, alerting people who are deaf, pulling a wheelchair, alerting and protecting a person who is having a seizure, reminding a person with mental illness to take prescribed medications, calming a person with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) during an anxiety attack, or performing other duties. Service animals are working animals, not pets. The work or task a dog has been trained to provide must be directly related to the person’s disability. Dogs whose sole function is to provide comfort or emotional support do not qualify as service animals under the ADA.
    This definition does not affect or limit the broader definition of “assistance animal” under the Fair Housing Act or the broader definition of “service animal” under the Air Carrier Access Act.
    Some State and local laws also define service animal more broadly than the ADA does. Information about such laws can be obtained from the State attorney general’s office.

    Where Service Animals Are Allowed

    Under the ADA, State and local governments, businesses, and nonprofit organizations that serve the public generally must allow service animals to accompany people with disabilities in all areas of the facility where the public is normally allowed to go. For example, in a hospital it would be inappropriate to exclude a service animal from areas such as patient rooms, clinics, cafeterias, or examination rooms. However, it may be appropriate to exclude a service animal from operating rooms or burn units where the animal’s presence may compromise a sterile environment.

    Service Animals Must Be Under Control

    Under the ADA, service animals must be harnessed, leashed, or tethered, unless these devices interfere with the service animal’s work or the individual’s disability prevents using these devices. In that case, the individual must maintain control of the animal through voice, signal, or other effective controls.

    Inquiries, Exclusions, Charges, and Other Specific Rules Related to Service Animals

    • When it is not obvious what service an animal provides, only limited inquiries are allowed. Staff may ask two questions: (1) is the dog a service animal required because of a disability, and (2) what work or task has the dog been trained to perform. Staff cannot ask about the person’s disability, require medical documentation, require a special identification card or training documentation for the dog, or ask that the dog demonstrate its ability to perform the work or task.
    • Allergies and fear of dogs are not valid reasons for denying access or refusing service to people using service animals. When a person who is allergic to dog dander and a person who uses a service animal must spend time in the same room or facility, for example, in a school classroom or at a homeless shelter, they both should be accommodated by assigning them, if possible, to different locations within the room or different rooms in the facility.
    • A person with a disability cannot be asked to remove his service animal from the premises unless: (1) the dog is out of control and the handler does not take effective action to control it or (2) the dog is not housebroken. When there is a legitimate reason to ask that a service animal be removed, staff must offer the person with the disability the opportunity to obtain goods or services without the animal’s presence.
    • Establishments that sell or prepare food must allow service animals in public areas even if state or local health codes prohibit animals on the premises.
    • People with disabilities who use service animals cannot be isolated from other patrons, treated less favorably than other patrons, or charged fees that are not charged to other patrons without animals. In addition, if a business requires a deposit or fee to be paid by patrons with pets, it must waive the charge for service animals.
    • If a business such as a hotel normally charges guests for damage that they cause, a customer with a disability may also be charged for damage caused by himself or his service animal.
    • Staff are not required to provide care or food for a service animal.

    Miniature Horses

    In addition to the provisions about service dogs, the Department’s revised ADA regulations have a new, separate provision about miniature horses that have been individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities. (Miniature horses generally range in height from 24 inches to 34 inches measured to the shoulders and generally weigh between 70 and 100 pounds.) Entities covered by the ADA must modify their policies to permit miniature horses where reasonable. The regulations set out four assessment factors to assist entities in determining whether miniature horses can be accommodated in their facility. The assessment factors are (1) whether the miniature horse is housebroken; (2) whether the miniature horse is under the owner’s control; (3) whether the facility can accommodate the miniature horse’s type, size, and weight; and (4) whether the miniature horse’s presence will not compromise legitimate safety requirements necessary for safe operation of the facility.

    For more information about the ADA, please visit our website or call our toll-free number.

    ADA Website
    To receive e-mail notifications when new ADA information is available,
    visit the ADA Website’s home page and click the link near the top of the middle column.

    800-514-0301 (Voice) and 800-514-0383 (TTY)
    24 hours a day to order publications by mail.
    M-W, F 9:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Th 12:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. (Eastern Time)
    to speak with an ADA Specialist. All calls are confidential.
    For persons with disabilities, this publication is available in alternate formats.
    Duplication of this document is encouraged. July 2011

Monday, February 23, 2015

Posting from Gary's Blog and replies.

Posted on Gary's blog, with replies:



Bid Committee

I do not understand what is going on with our bidding system. In particular I am talking about the bid results for the Okeechobee Sign.

The info I get is that we have about $14,000 budgeted for the sign. The bids come back with only one bidder. He is bidding $44,000.

That just doesn't make sense. Why only one bidder? Why don't we have at least 3-4 bidders? What is the matter? I have been told that we are people that the contractors don't want to do business with. Why? I assume we pay our bills currently? Could it be that we set up inspectors and they are tough to deal with? I don't believe it. So what could the matter be? Do we not invite the right vendors?

I am sending a copy of this to the Cam Maybe he can enlighten us.

4 comments:

  1. The whole process is so secret and so confused that there is no process and nothing that makes sense. There is also no sense of what is a priority for the Villge and what is not. As for the money, they will pull it out of the slush fund they now have and when money is truly needed for something that we are contracted for or during an emergency we are going to be sitting there on our thumbs with nothing there for us. Sad but true unless we get them out as soon as we can.
    Reply
  2. It's sad that you think that every time requests for bids are sent out and businesses do not want anything to do with Century Village, you would think they are going to pull the money out of some slush fund. What IS sad but true, is that companies put in bids for jobs, they get beat out by a lower bidder, or some company that has a better rep and gets picked over the lower bid, or the committees over whatever project keeps making changes and the Village is now known as being hard to deal with. I do not blame them for NOT wanting to bid on projects. Too many troublemakers, not worth the time or effort... And that comes from some of the people we seek bids from...
    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. So Bob you contend that the lackof bids for the sign is the fault of the malcontens? Or is it the fault of the Executive Committe? Or the chair?
      I think your info cannot be correct.
    2. No Gary, I am not blaming the malcontents, That is the fault of a creature that burrows itself into both factions...Indecision. And that causes changes to be made constantly within, and in turn when a bidder puts his bid in, changes are made left and right, and bidders start dropping out like flies. Then when only one company puts a bid in, everyone complains that there was only one bidder. True, there was only one bidder out of many that were sent requests. This village has a reputation for being difficult to deal with, thus few or no bids. It is not just the present administration that is causing this effect, all the petty committees and people that want to stick their noses in on everything but what they should be doing.
      Gary, you will notice that I have elected NOT to run for a second term on the Executive Board, Maybe I should explain why...
      I am sick and tired of all the infighting amongst the present administration and the malcontents. So sick of it that I just wanted to distance myself from BOTH sides. While I still support village wide WiFi and think those vying for each individual association getting their own contract with comcast, they seem to for one VERY important thing, WITH NUMBERS COMES POWER... power to dictate TO COMCAST what we want. There are other places the village can go for contracts for cable services THAT WOULD INCLUDE WIFI.
      I have made signs and worked for signmakers (Snyder and Bradford Sign and Display in Line Lexington, PA) in the past and I personally consider the bid to be on the high side. (I will consult with an expert shortly)
      We have enough people in this village that know how to do some of the things needed but the one thing that comes out when something needs to be done is another two creatures called GREED AND SELFISHNESS come out... They may have knowledge of how to do something, but they want to get paid for it... then they won't share any knowledge to help out their neighbors. UGLY little monsters that need to be squashed. ALL of them.
      The work I did for the Reporter saved them thousands. Even my program (left on the computer) is pretty valuable.
      The sign everyone is complaining about can be made less expensively.
      If the villagers here just came together and made some of these things and hired out just for the installation, we could save three fourths of that bid EASILY. But heaven help us if we were to work together on anything. It would be a definite sign of the world coming to an end.
     
  3. The comments made above were from the heart, especially concerning this village. I and many others love it here and want only what is best for it. I honestly wish everyone else did also. Unfortunately those that make it difficult for the ones that do their best for the village and can't decide to put aside their pettiness, paranoia and personalities are driving the ones that want to DO for the village away. This will only accomplish one thing, and that is to make Century Village into the equivalent of a New York Housing Projects. 
  4. I have an aunt and cousins that have lived in the projects across the street from Police Headquarters in NYC since they were new. I saw them go from nice apartments to a slum. Do we want the same for us? I hope not.  

Tuesday, February 17, 2015

anwser to propaganda

I wrote this in answer to some of the propaganda being spread by the new malcontent minister of propaganda, and the response from Esther that I happen to agree with on the face value, can not agree on the actions of the "malcontent" supporters.

ci·vil·i·ty
səˈvilədē/
noun
formal politeness and courtesy in behavior or speech.
"I hope we can treat each other with civility and respect"
synonyms: courtesy, courteousness, politeness, good manners, graciousness, consideration, respect, politesse, comity
"he treated me with civility"
antonyms: disrespect, rudeness
polite remarks used in formal conversation.
plural noun: civilities
"she was exchanging civilities with his mother"
synonyms: polite remark, politeness, courtesy; formality
"she didn't waste time on civilities"
Above is the definition of CIVILITY. While I agree with what Esther says in her statement above, I have not seen the same from her or anyone else that has been labeled a "malcontent". There hasn't been civility in the Delegate Assembly meetings or any other meetings. I am not just saying that it is all on the "malcontents", it has been on both sides of the coin.  While I may support many of the things that David Israel brings to the table, there are some that I do not. 
I wholeheartedly supported WiFi, as did many who now claim NOT to support it. 
I do not support taking my money, collected for WiFi and moving it elsewhere. Instead I want a refund of the money collected. That breaks down to $48 per unit for the two years my money was collected and taken. To me that amounts to stealing it.
As for Neil and his opinions sanctioned by the Messenger Club, I only have one question, when did you buy a unit? 
The same people that made issue of having a renter volunteer time in UCO and the Reporter, are now using one for their propaganda... I guess a little hypocrisy goes a long way. 

While I feel that renters should have some rights and a non voting Representative at the assembly meetings, It does not give them the right to try and dictate policy. If they want to do that, then see your local realtor, and really put your money where your mouth is. Otherwise, see the complaint department... 

Sunday, February 15, 2015

to the unnamed VP, Golf's Edge Condo Assoc.

this was posted on another blog.... 


Dave,

You were directed by the Delegate Assembly to stop all activities related to WiFi for Century Village. What's going on here? The Delegates have spoken; why cannot you accept their decision?

I would, nevertheless, have liked to support this initiative, but certainly not under your leadership, given the "process" you employed on the old WiFi committee. Delegates and UCO members in general are getting tired of your "initiatives." Give it a rest!

VP, Golf's Edge Condo Assoc.

Well Mr/Ms UNNAMED  VP, Golf's Edge two years ago when it was overwhelmingly pro wifi, you didn't give up and now that wifi was taken off and the money collected designated for wifi was stolen to cover this big deficit that did not exist. Now that everyone knows this, that the malcontents did what they do best, use scare tactics to get what they want. You collect for wifi and later decide not to  do it, then every unit in Century village should be screaming for a refund. you can't collect money for one thing and later decide to keep it when you kill what it was collected for in the first place. 

Sunday, February 8, 2015

To Neil Moore

Neil,
 Your concern for the village is touching and I encourage other RENTERS to get involved with the village, however as previously pointed out by others on this blog, renters have no vote, nor do they have any representation in the village. As I was shot down when I mentioned having some kind of representation for renters in the village, and yes, by some that are are shouting for your sainthood now, maybe you should reconsider some of what you say.
If renters get representation as I suggested, which is either one delegate  for all the renters or one for each quadrant, then what you say would matter. Until then...

You should consider becoming an owner then maybe run for office if you want to have your say and have it mean anything other than being disgruntled because UCO won't let you use their camera so you can make so called commercials for whoever....
Better yet, do as John and Kitty did when they started, and BUY your own stuff.

Saturday, February 7, 2015

Nomination Comedy Show

The Budget has passed, hooray for that!
I have to admit, I did not care for Howard's "Because Felt like it" remark when asked a question. It was rude and somewhat disrespectful to the person asking the question. While I understand the frustration of everyone and their mother questioning not only your motives, but your professionalism, I felt his manner of answer was uncalled for.
Nominations from the floor was almost comical. Of the fourteen names put in for nomination, only two were not known "malcontents". They had their list in hand and nominated their candidates each stumbling over each other to second the other, looked like the Keystone cops chasing the microphone as if it were a burglar . I guess if they can stack the executive board (which by the way Mr. Grossman, is the Board of directors) they will try to clog up the business of the village.
Three names were thrown in for Vice President. Barbara Cornish, Ed Black, and John Gluzack. I would back either of the first two, but the third is not a great choice. last time he won by default.
The other candidates were taken from the list provided by the "malcontents" that were soundly defeated last election.

Thursday, February 5, 2015

Gary, Answer this...

Gary, I have one question for you. How can you write that you support signing your name to what is written, then turn around and publish the ignorant comments of "Edwardo"? He/she surely does not access to the functions at the Reporter and is writing whatever lies he/she wants. The fact that he/she even thinks that Joy Vestal consults with anyone other than her co-editor and staff shows that edwardo has NO CLUE.
Yes, there were some people, very hard working at one time, that were let go from the Reporter, but with good reason. If they want those reasons made public, I am sure it can be arranged, and I am sure the residents would not look upon them so favorably.
I left the paper a few months ago keeping only my monthly cartoon and as clearly seen in last months issue, it does not have immunity to being censored for practicality. I would have prefered it without the censor dot, but that may have offended some.  That is the job of an editor. To see something that should be changed in an article, picture or illustration and make the necessary changes without affecting the heart of the copy.
Edwardo obviously has no clue on the operation of a newspaper. and just the two editors, Joy and Myron combine for over eighty years experience, Joy alone for over fifty. Maybe he/she should stick to something he/she knows about, it is obviously not newspapers. Break out a mechanical pencil or an adding machine, it may be more suited to what you know, or not.

This is what I posted on Gary's blog in answer to his friend's posting.
Agree with me on the name thing? or just when it's convenient?
Post on here and I want to see a name. rarely will I let an anonymous posting fly.
Giving yourself a false name still makes you anonymous.
The only reason they use anonymous names is because what they say is so full of lies, that they are afraid to be taken to court, as well they should be.
Stand up and say what you want, just make sure it's the truth. Or sit down and keep your mouth shut.