This
website will tell real life stories of the truth, the whole truth and nothing but
the truth. The total lack of justice and little or no enforcement of
the law.
This eventually stopped. Then the Borough of Hamburg Police (07419) picked up the ball where the others left off. They stopped me constantly and ticketed me for eveything and anything in order to make their ticket quotas. The worst cop was Officer Burger who was not even a cop, but he carried a side arm and drove a regular patrol car, but was an auxiliary cop. He was a liar and put words in my mouth. He also lied in his testimony in court after giving me a summons to make his ticket quota. He also drew his gun on someone who asked him why he was being stopped. This someone named Frank who worked for the NJ State Police. I pleaded NOT GUILTY . It made no sense because the Municipal Court Judge, John E. Mulhern always found me guilty. I never found justice in any of the nine rural town courts where he was the judge. The Court Administrator, Faye Houghtaling is another one, she is rude and a liar. She sent me a court trial date with three days notice. I gave her a written request for an extension. She grabbed it out of my hand, refused to sign for it, then said she never received it. We fought his one trying to over turn Mulhern's decision first in Superior Court then in the Appeliate Divison of Superior Court, it made no difference Judges stick together.
In the County of Sussex, there are many ADA compliance and accessibility issues. The county hired a Director of Disability Services named Maureen Babula many years ago. She didn't even reside in Sussex County, she lives in Warren. A more worthless, unconcerned and lying individual never existed. She was also incompitent and her co-workers covered up for her. The disabled community were the ones who lost out the most. She gave out obsolete and outdated information if she even got back to the people who contacted her. She claimed to be an advocate, what a big joke. The disabled community constantly complained about her. The only one she cared about was her son who was born with Downe's Syndrome and his disability, no others. The Freeholder's didn't fire her. Her supervisors stuck up for her. She did nothing for the disabled eight long years or more. She was always off from work, at a meeting, luncheon, out of town or out sick. She eventually left due to her health. Then she was appointed to the Developmental Disabilities Council and now sits as the chair. WHERE IS THE JUSTICE?
Then the county hired Lorraine Hentz as a replacement. I met with Lorraine for an hour. We talked some what about Maureen's incompitency and all the outdated information and files she left that was left by her predicessor Nancy Starnes. Maureen never bothered to update or correct any information or files. Lorraine said I knew a lot and had a lot to offer and I would be an asset to her council. She would notify me when a council meeting will be held. It never happened, she never kept her word. I called her many times and never even got a call back. I sent her e-mails to which she did not reply to. I eventually reached her. She claimed she forgot and it was not a council meeting because there is no council. It was only to form committees. How come she didn't forget the others she invited? Then she would invite me to the committee meetings. That also passed and I was not invited. When I called her and confronted her, she hemmed, hawed and changed the subject. I find Lorraine to be another hippocrate, liar and also unknowledgeable. She is not even a director, she is a coordinator. What does she coordinate. Her only expertise is that she has a child with asthma and she worked as a director of a childrens program and wrote their grants for the county, which she still does. The County Office of Disability Services is now Community Services. It seems the ones getting screwed the most are the disabled community.
* I finally found out about the meeting and attended. Everyone seemed friendly for a change. A remark was made by a council member named Janice Prezwodek a consumer without a disability, who also served on Maureen's council. She said something to the council about not allowing the disabled to serve on the council as they were not reliable and didn't show up at meetings, so business could not be conducted and minutes voted on. I spoke up and stated that her remark was ofensive and discriminatory. She said it was not discriminatory. Carmela Slivinski the director of DAWN a local Center for Independent Living www.dawninc.org also spoke up. Freeholder Susan Zellman was not there, she was busy campaining for her buddy JoAnne D'Angeli another Freeholder who spent the peoples money like water. She was finally defeated by Steve Oroho, a Franklin Councilman.
The County Administrator, Gregory Fehrenbach who is a snob can't be bothered taking my phone calls, tells his secretary to take them, she can't give me an answer, all she does is take a message. The Human Services Director Stephen Gruchacz is the same, he tells his secretary Sheila Beverly to take a message. I brought this up at a Freeholder meeting last year in front of Gregory. I am a tax payer and voter and am entitled to speak to a county employee if it is my wish and they are are available. Nothing happened, the lousy Freeholder's did nothing. Gregory also sent me a letter by e-mail that it was alright for someone without a handicapped parking permit to park in a handicapped space, it was the culture of Sussex County.
* The Freeholder's got a copy of my letter and his reply. I also wrote about it to the newspapers. Well Gregory sumitted his letter of resignation at the Freeholder meeting on Wednesday, May 26, 2004. It will go into effect sometime in August. This horrible man is another who does not live in Sussex County, he lives in Middlesex. He is being replaced by the Deputy Administrator John H. Eskilson.
The County owned property like the library in McAfee, Franklin and the Homestead Nursing Home do not have the correct fines or the signs at the correct height. The furnace and air conditioning in the homestead are are both old and keep breaking down. the seniors who live there are without heat or air conditioning for weeks. Stephen Gruchacz, the Administrator of Human Services says the seniors don't mind the heat without air conditioning. How does he know?
He is not a senior and never asked anyone what they like or dislike.
It seems everyone who works for the county seems to speak for someone else and knows what someone else likes or dislikes. If JoAnne D'Angeli, Howard Burrell & Jeff Staple all three former freeholders who purchased the over priced administration building spent some of the money to outfit and refurbish The Homestead that they wasted on this white elephant. they might still be in office.
The transit and Para-Transit system is called Sussex County Transit, it is owned by the county. The Director is Karen Beavens-Cassidy. What a horrible and controling person. She behaves like the commidant of a cencentration camp. The Sussex County Transit Citizens Action Council has half of its members who work for the county. The chair is Jerry Kissel who votes along with the county also Francis "Frank" X. Herbert who is a former Bergen County Freeholder, State Senator and Bergen County Consumer Affairs Director also votes along with the county. I have submitted a letter on several occasions applying to serve on this council, never even being interviewed. I also submitted references with an application to serve on their Citizens Action Committee, Robert Koska the liason of that committee told Beavens about my application, no way would she want me on that committee. So after all these years my application still sits in limbo or cyber space. Beavens does as she pleases with no opposition or objection. Years ago she banned Westley Van Dunk from riding the transit for a month without a discussion. Westley was unable to go to medical appointments, therapy or food shopping. Heather Schweitzer the former director of DAWN who was to advocate for Wesley, but never did. Then Beavens told Janet Happ, there was no room on the bus for her after she signed up to go to the Disability Convention, there was room for everyone else.
Both Janet Happ and Westley Van Dunk are now deceased. Heather Schwizer no longer works there, but her ireversable damage is still here.
The worst town for non compliance is the Borough of Franklin (07416) In the area of Shop-Rite, the handicapped signs are on pedistals and not in the ground. They can be moved and are. They have been moved and removed. The signs are also not high enough. There are many people parked in the handicapped with no permit and the police do not respond when called. I tried to file a citizens complaint against Shop-Rite for eliminating a handicapped space. Shop-Rite is owned by the Romano Family of Ronetco Corporation who has a policy of putting all unsold baked goods in the dumpster rather than to feed the needy. It is their policy, but not anyone elses. Now they claims to donate this food to NORWESTCAP who has a huge foodbank and sells their products.
I have filled out a form that will go to the Shop-Rite headquarters at Wakefern Food Corporation that will be sent to Ronetco.. Ronetco claims they have very little left over. You can visit Shop-Rite on the web at www.shoprite.com or call them at 1-800-SHOPRITE (1-800-746-7748)
The Weis Market has a manager like I never came across before, his name is Seth Wertz, he is the worst unconcerned that I have ever encountered. If you tell him something is wrong, not working or broken. Nothing is done about it. He is abusive and ofensive to most of the employees unless they kiss his rear end. So many good people worked there and were forced to leave because of his dictatorial attitude and abusive behavior. He has the personality of a frog. Ask him a question and he will not answer you. I reported a broken toilet bowl and paper towel dispenser in the mens room, nothing was done. I reported it to Fred Reisen, the health inspector. They were finally fixed. He put the caddy cart in the handicapped parking space. I asked that they be removed, he did nothing. I called customer service, he still did nothing. Then I called the Office of President of Weis, he moved it half way. I called back again, it was finally moved completely. The night crew were playing with the scooters for the disabled and leaving a dead battery and not plugging it back in. I wrote a letter to the editor, it has not happened again. The store is dirty and many items are not even priced especially the displays. Every other manager in that store was a good manager except for this jerk. Now when he sees me in the store he stares at me. I have filed a complaint online about him, it is pending then sent on to the district manager who paid a visit to the store and had everone on their toes.
www.weis.com/feedback.php?order_id=&session=
* I got an mail followed up by a phone call from the Division Manager, Greg. We spoke for over a half hour. He wants me to stay in touch with him. This store does not improve.
Either the shoping carts are not there, broken, filled with garbage and the restroom comode is broken, wash basin broken and paper towel dispenser broken or the items on the shelf unpriced. Does the store manager ever check into this? William "Bill" May was so harrased by the store manager, he finally quit
The Court Administrator Lori Spirito refused to take my citizens complaint (which she has done many times), than refused to fill out the ticket. I had to fill out the ticket. Then she never notified me when the case came to court. There is a snow removal law in NJ, the police never heard of it. It states snow has to be removed within 48 hours after the snow stops. After giving them a copy, they refused to enforce it.
People park in the Wal-Mart and Shop-Rite handicapped spaces in the parking lots without a permit.
In Wal-Mart you can access the site www.walmart.com
and send an e-mail or call them at 1-800-WALMART (1-800-925-6278) or call the main office at 479-273-4000
In Shop-Rite the signs are not in compliance as they are not in the ground, they are on pedistals which can be moved which they are and spaces are eliminated, now there are not enough. Some spaces have no sign, no curb cut, too small a curb cut or a step. I had spoken with Rachel Heath, Town Administrator, she said the planning board accepted it and the town had enough handicapped spaces. I even witnessed a Franklin Police Officer parked in one of the Burger King handicapped spaces. I witnessed UPS drivers park there when making a delivery. Everyone else does. I also witnessed the previous Chief of Police park in a handicapped space in the city hall. Burger King owned by the Carroll's Corporation located in Syracuse, NY has three handicapped spaces, but no penaly plaques. I spoke with the Manager Heather Van Pelt several times and found her unconcerned, rude and arrogant. I also spoke with two different field representativess, who also did nothing. The last one is named Alan Slate. It seemed that I was annoying him when I spoke to him.
The Franklin McDonald's owned by the McDonald's Corporation has no accessible entrance, rest rooms or curb cuts. The one handicapped space is not even in complience, it should be two, no posted sign.This is a total disaster and the food is often cold. The kids they hire to work there are not responsible or reliable. They don't listen to what is being ordered. I was told by a young kid that the fries would be brought to my table, she forgot, then apologized. My meal has been ruined. You can e-mail McDonalds at their site www.mcdonalds.com/app_controller.custsat.custsat_form.html
or call them at 1-800-244-6227
* Tammie the Manager called me after I filed a complaint online, she said she is trying and the building would be SHUT DOWN and refurbished. Don't think that McDonalds is being nice, they want to sell this franchise location. The pot holes in the parking lot are getting worse and the toilet paper dispensers are four feet from the ground instead of two. Some one will possibly break an arm, leg or even their neck trying to cross the lot.
* After calling McDonalds, I got a phone call from Betty who is the Field Representative who left a message that the people who were doing the construction would be there. I was in there and saw three men who were taking notes. I tried to talk to them, but they ignored me. Betty also left her phone number (973) 403-0390 extension 1472
The Franklin Diner on Route 23 is a busy diner, no accessible entrance, no one cares it is a coverup. State Senator Robert E. Littell is a patron along with William "Bill" Weightman a supervisor for the N.J Department of Labor and Ziggy Borstad a para plegic who is carried up a flight of wooden steps and in through the kitchen. The Borstad Family does not believe in ADA or even support it. Not even a handicapped parking space in the family business.
The Valley National Bank was being held up and the cops were partying at the American Legion Post. They eventually found the bank robbers.
The Sussex Bank based in Franklin with a location in Vernon. Neither have an accessible entrance. Franklin handicapped spaces are not close to the entrance, the signs are three feet from the ground, not five feet. In Vernon there is no penalty plaque. I reported it to Nancy the Assistant Bank Manager who said she will take care of it, nothing was done. it is over a year, the Branch Manager said it was reported. I have called the President of Sussex Bank who is Terry Thompson, he doesn't because he doesn't want the police to issue a summons and no one ever told him. . Donald Kovach who is the CEO and an attorney said he will take care of it, nothing has been done.
* When I passed the Vernon branch, I found the penalty plaque with the correct penalty. Amazing isn't it.
Another Township is Hampton (07860) who has no police department. The NJ State Police is supposed to respond, the Judge is Mulhern. the Burger King there is also owned by the Carroll's Corp, the entrance is not even accessible, they have two handicapped spaces, no penalty plaque, the signs are two feet from the ground when they should be five to seven feet. Nothing changes there either. The UPS drivers also park there when making deliveries. I called UPS to file a complaint and was told "the drivers have no other place to park". I told him "they can park in the road or anywhere but the handicapped spaces". He said "they were only there for a minute". I told him "that was 60 seconds too long". Next door to BK is Salarno-Duane, they had two handicapped space where they stored cars, now they cut it to one which is not in complience. The sign is on the wall, not on a post. The people who work there are rude. I asked them to call the NJ State Police, they refused and became arguemenative. Nothing has changed their either. The Hampton strip mall is owned by two separate owners. One is Kennith Martin. The store entrances are not accessible, no curb cut, not enough handicapped spaces in relation to the amount of regular ones. The fine has not been changed to $250 and are not in the ground either. The Sear's Hardware has no accessible entrance. You have to ring a bell to get in from the exit. The signs that are there, the wording is bleached from the sun and unreadable.
* As a result of my persistant complaining the handicapped signs are now in the group and at the right height and the correct penalty.
In the Township of Wantage (07461) which also has no police department. The Judge is Craig U. Dana who is no better than Judge Mulhern. I brought a citizens complaint of a bias crime against the former Sussex Airport Flea Market of a bias crime when anti Semetic slurrs were made against my person by the two managers Ron & Joan, vendors Tony & Sue Colazzo also "sock" John. I brought the charges by what I heard myself and what I was told by another vendor Pete Van Elswick who was going to be in court but never showed up. The judge found them NOT GUILTY, then joked about it and dropped the charges. The Wantage strip mall does not have enough handicapped spaces, the signs are also in a bucket with cement, not in the ground and have the outdated penaly fine. The S & S Diner also has no accessible entrance, it has new owners.
In the Town of Newton (07860) the County Seat, the Municipal Building is not accessible and have no handicapped parking spaces.
The streets Spring and Trinity have a few handicapped spaces if you can find them, they tell you to park in the Shelby lot or in the Municipal Parking Lot that has no handicapped spaces.
* They are rebuilding and have a new town Manager Colin Donnelly who says he will make changes and has a disabled brother. We need to see. The U.S. Post Office has no parking except for across the street with one handicapped space. The USPS vehicle park there to make deliveries. They will eventually be moving, who knows when. I called our Congressman to file a complaint.
The Newton Shop-Rite also owned by Ronetco has spaces with the outdated penalty or no penaly plaque at all.
Some of their signs are in complience. The real estate is owned by Ronetco.
The new Home Depot is all new, but has an old penalty on the handicapped parking signs. I asked to spak to the store manger, he was too busy to talk to me or couldn't be bothered and was to leave a letter. I left a letter with my name and address for the store manager. We will see what happens. A month has passed and nothing has changed.
You can contact Home Depot at www.homedepot.com
or call them at 1-800-553-3199. I plan to call them on the first business day.
Township of McAfee (07428) U.S. Post Office, no accessible entrance, sign not in compliance, wrong penalty. The snow is not completely removed from this space.
Mixing Bowl Deli has the sign on the front of the building, not on a post and has the wrong penalty. More without permits park there than with a permit.The McAfee Strip Mall has stores with no accessible entrances, the handicapped signs are not in compliance, no correct penalty plaque. Never completely cleans the snow from the handicapped spaces. The Viking Village which is either owned or managed by Dan Borstad, no accessible entrances, no ADA handicapped spaces. It has been like that for many years. In their eyes ADA never existed.
Township of Vernon (07462) U.S. Post Office, no handicapped parking, no accessible entrance. The parking lot looks like it had been bombed.
* They will be moving in the future, who knows how long in the future. In the meanwhile they will be repaving the parking lot as a result of my writing to the Access-Board www.access-board.gov and adjusting the pull on the door. This investigation was conducted under the Architectural Barriers Act of 1968 (ABA) You can call them at (800) 872-2253
The work is scheduled for completion in July.
The Municipal Building, no accessible entrance. handicapped signs not high enough, some spaces across the street connected by steps. No accessible rest rooms.
* I wrote to the N.J. Department of Community Affairs. The rest rooms are now accessible. The rear entrance is used that is accessible.
The UPS., Fed Ex & Airborne Express have been using the handicapped spaces to park in when making their deliveries. UPS. has been using the handicapped spaces at Dollar Plus and the UPS. Store when making deliveries and pick ups. When tried to alert the two drivers, they became nasty and said "they have no other place to park and load or unload" That seems to be the standard response. Then slammed the truck door in my face. I called the supervisers who told me they would talk to the drivers.
The A & P has a new building and a new parking lot with new handicapped parking signs, but the penalty on the signs is old and not updated.
About a year or two ago, I went to the restroom at the Vernon Municipal Building, there was a van parked in two of the handicaped spaces when there was six of them, the engine was running. The van was there for quite a while. I filed a citizens complaint against the vehicle which was Quantum Maintainence who by cooincidence works for Vernon. When we went to trial the vehicles driver pleaded NOT GUILTY, the Prosecutor Anthony Arbore wanted me to speak to the defendent. Well I did and he wanted me to drop the charges, I refused. Then we went back to Arbore's office who also wanted me to drop the charges, I refused. Then he threatened me if I didn't drop the charges, he would prosecute and make a motion to the Judge that the charges be dissmissed. I told him not to threaten me or I would file charges against him for violation of civil rights.
He did stick his nose into my complaint and said to the Judge that his reccomendation is that the charges be dropped for insufficient evidence. I later found out that this driver was also the Fire Chief of Highland Lakes. What a scam. The told the judge he had been wasting his time that just wanted to pay the fine as it was costing him money. The Judge fined him $100 plus cost costs, he was annoyed that he had to show up in court and not be allowed to mail in the fine. The Judge told him it was his policy and not be allowed to mail in the fine.
The Township of Lafayette (07848) U.S. Post Office has no handicapped parking or accessible entrance. It has a huge flight of stairs. How does someone who is disabled access the U.S. Post Office in this town?
* I filed a complaint online with the Access Board and was told that the USPS has waived the accessibility standards. They don't even know the age of the building, but it is in the excess of 75 years old. Lafayette will be getting a new facility in March 30, 2006. The closest accessible Post Office is in Augusta (07822) which is 4.15 miles and 7 minutes away. If you don't drive how do you get there? Maybe in your wheelchair.
The Township of Hardyston (07460) Hardyston Strip Mall. No accessible entrance to the stores. No curb cuts either.
When I first moved to the county, I came across a disabled woman named Violet Riker. Violet was the founder and President of the We Care Club, a support group for the disabled with all disabilities. I was invited to attend their meetings. The more meetings I attended, the more I found out about the unjustices going on there.
Even thought Violet was the President, she opened and closed the meeting, but had no say about anything. everything was controlled including the money by Hilda Gralert, the Secretary and Gwendolyn Kissel the Treasurer. When cash money came into the club, it went into their pockets. checks were deposited into checking accounts. Hilda had two so called club accounts, so did Gwen. They had a tax exempt number and used it for private purchases in addition to club ones. They were not registerd with the NJ Charity Registration or did they file income tax form for the club. There were no elections and these two did as they wished. Board meetings, if they were held were a secret. No voting or discussion about expenditures. Some members paid dues, others did not. Some got byelaws, others did not. The byelaws were a joke.
They were at the Sussex County Farm and Horse Show for many years and never paid to set up claiming to be non-profit. They sold merchandise claiming it was made by the disabled. The money taken in at the fair was not reported and disappeared. they even asked for donations.
When there was an entertainment program, the club laid out the money and the members reimbursed the club except for Hilda and Family and Gwen and her Family who went free..
The club acquired free admission passes to the Lakeland YMCA Gym. The members had to pay $25 a year to use them. Hilda, Gwen, their families and friends paid nothing, they used the free passes. Also the members were charged $2 each way by Hilda and Gwen to be transported to meetings, bowling and other programs. They even charged Violet $10 to take her shopping.
Another member who stole from the club was Ella "Cookie" Smith, she did the flea market at the Sussex Airport and setup for free claiming to be non-profit. She even requested donations. She used the clubs money to buy other merchandise and make a profit for herself. She kept most of the money that was raised. Even donated merchandise disappeared. Cookie told Violet that I stole the money, Violet was niave enough to belive her and stopped talking to me. Cookie was fired from Wal-Mart for lifting of merchandise. Cookie still shop lifts at flea markets.
The club also set up for free at the Jefferson Flea Market, the same pretty much went on there.
When Hilda took members who lived at home with their families to programs, she requested $20 from the families for meals and anything they needed. There never seemed to be any change. She charged her meals to the other members and submitted her bills. She would bad mouth me and didn't want the other members to associate with me.
She also wouldn't let me watch the tables at the flea markets or fairs because i might find out how much money was taken in. When a financial report was requested at the meeting, a false one was given. No one really knew how much money they scammed.
Both Violet Riker and Hilda Gralert are now deceased.
There is another Sussex County Organization named H.E.A.R.T.S. founded by Lois Bender. It was supposed to be non-profit food pantry for homeless and needy. Lois was holding all kinds of fund raisers. She sold raffle tickets with no date, so didn't give out the prizre. She claimed HEARTS was non-profit., it was not. There was a board of director, she was the chair and president.. He husband and two daughters were on the board along with close friends. She carried blank checks already signed by a co signer and spent any money she wanted without even a vote. Food donations were solicited, she often used them for herself. Her daughters got an unlimited supply of food. One daughter collected welfare and food stamps, while working for cash. off the books. She took from the clothing donations. She lied to Weis Markets that she was in charge off all the Sussex County Food Banks. There is no such animal. She had two sets of books. Cash went into her pocket while the checks were deposited in the checking account. Eileen Junior was the Treasurer and refused to prepay bills. Eilleen was harrassed until she left. I tried to expose her to the NJ Herald, the reporter turned the story around. She had her backside covered up by former Assemblyman Richard Kamen. Kamen was removed from the Department of Motor Vehicles
I also tried to expose her corruption to the Sussex County Prosecuters Office, they claimed they found nothing wrong.
I even exposed her to the Toys for Tots program sposored by the U.S. Marines in the Pickitinny Arsensal. The officers there took from the toy donations.
Another non-profit organization is S.C.A.R.C (Sussex County Association for Retarded Citizens) www.scarc.org The Executive Director is Richard Lecher. This ARC has many fund raisers and get s many large donations. Lecher claims how much he does for the county. They have three food pantries named Harvest Foods, they choose who they will provide food to and who not. They denied people food, yet Executive Director Richard Lecher says how much he has done for the community. They aso have sheltered workshops and many group homes. People who lived in their group homes were abused by staff and some even died. When reported to a supervisor, nothing was done.
When reported to Lecher, they were fired. This ARC does as they dam please, nothing is done about it. The Freeholders were told, who also did nothing. SCARC accepts clients without families, they appoint themselves the guardian, then the money disappears. This has happened many times. SCARC has a huge law firm representing them scaring off many lawsuits. In spite of this there are pending lawsuits.
Covering Sussex, Warren & Morris Counties is an organization for the disabled named DAWN (Disabled Advocates Working for Northwest) www.dawninc.org, an independent Living Center located in Wharton, NJ. The Director is Carmela Slivinski. Carmela is not disabled and knows very little about the disabled and disability awareness. Carmela also has an asmatic son. When I spoke with Carmela and Juanita who works for DAWN, they claimed they didn't have their own e-mail addresses and to use the agency one. I found that to be a big story. I don't know who hired her or what her qualifications are. When we talked she said things have changed, yet knows very little about what went on under the previous DAWN administration. Christine Schnorr is still the President of the Board for over eight years in spite of the byelaws that state two terms. Carmela said no one else wants the job. Another lame excuse. How can there be anyone when no one wants to be a member and you can't have meetings without members.
At the last Sussex County Disability Council Meeting, Carmela invited everyone to come to the Skylands Ballpark on June 27. 2004 at 3:30PM as they were setting up a table with disability information. I said I was not a baseball fan and was told to come any way. I asked if she needed literature, she said yes. I acquired large quantities of literature. When I got there no one was there. Then I saw Juanita who works for DAWN and asked how I could get in as an admission ticket was requested. She said to meet her at the main gate, but didn't show up. Then Carmela came. I asked how I could get in, she said I had to buy a ticket. I said I am not a baseball fan and was not watching the game and made no effort to get me in as she just waltzed in. She said it was a DAWN fundraiser. I am not DAWN's funding source or a supply of their grants. I helped to found DAWN, spent many hours volunteering as a board member, serving on committees and fund raising. I attended almost all the board and members meetings. I voulunteered at the Abilities Expo in Edison because they asked me.
No more, never again
DAWN has not changed, they are still scheimers and scammers.
Every State has a CIL and a State CIL (SCIL-Statewide Independent Living Council) who is supposed to be the watchdog of the individual CILs. What a big joke, the CILs get away with everything and anything. The SCIL in NJ does nothing. The SCIL members are appointed by the Governors office. It is made up from representatives of the CILs, P & A, DVR and consumers.. They wash each others backs, so nothing is done about complaints that are made.
The system is broken and no one wants to repair it..
There is also an organization named the National Center for Independent Living (NCIL) www.ncil.org
They are also a watchdog organization over the CILs.
The Executive Director is Anne Marie Hughey, she has a staff.
Kristy Lengbehn who gets easily annoyed if you write her.
Kristy belongs to my disability rights group and makes no attempt to help anyone or even share any information that she shares with other list servers. I have e-mailed her and get no reply.
Dan Davis who antagonizes people then complains if you disagree with him. He is politically a liberal socialist.
I have written to Hughy about these two and never even got a response.
I have also written to Mike Oxford and also got no reply. Typical of many organizations.
A New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission, a location in Newton has no accessible entrance, no penalty plaque on the handicapped space and does not clean the snow from the space. The restroom is not even accessible, it is falling apart. I spoke to the manager of the location and left him a letter with my name and address that he said he would give to the owner of the property as it is leased. A month has passed, nothing was done. The parking there is even worse. I am going to call the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission at 1-888-486-3339 on the next business date.
The New Jersey Department of Labor Offices in Hampton has no accessible entrance, no handicapped parking. I wonder about the restroom? What ever happened to ADA? The New Jersey Department of Labor in Franklin even has an accessible restroom, but no accessible entrance. The handicapped spaces are not even in a convenient location or do they have a penalty plaque..
The State had an Office of Disability Services which was elevated to a Division. It covers PAAD (pharmaceutical asstance program) Senior Gold (pharmaceutical program) PASP (personal assistance program) Medicaid, TBI
(traumatic brain injury waver) Cash and Carry even though they have their own directors. There was to be an advisory council. I was the first one to volunteer, I have heard nothing. The Executive Director is William "Bill" A. Ditto who used to be a helpful and caring man, now he does not reply to phone calls, e-mails or letters. He has a Deputy Director named Javier who sued Amtrack for non complience and won, that was when he went to college. He has done nothing since. A Supervisor of Information and Referral, Joseph Amoroso. He also don't return phone calls or e-mails unless he is confronted, then he will pass you on to someone else. He makes promises to help people, but does not. One of his staff is Christine Barker who seems like a nice and caring person, but also does not call back. She wont give out her e-mail address. I spoke with her recently, she told me she was out of the office. FOR A MONTH ? Then there is another staff member named Hestor who used to be nice, but is now nasty.
This is what the disabled community have to deal with. It is their own fault, they don't speak up.
The Social Security Office in Hampton has no accessible entrance, only one handicapped parking space which is not in compliance.
* The sign is now in compliance, but the entrance is still not accessible.
A United States Congressional Office for Congressman E. Scott Garrett, no accessible entrance, no handicapped parking or accessible restroom opens his office to his consituents and guests over a year ago. It was reported that his office was not in complience. No changes were made. I called his Office Manager and Area Director Tammy Happe two weeks ago, she promised to take care of it as the office was leased. We will see. Scott is campaigning for Congress, his campaign office is the same one he used before, it has no accessible entrance. I called Tammie on June 28th, she told me she had written to the landlord of the property, but received no reply. On June 29th I received a phone call from Rich Zeoli who is the Area Director of Bergen County, he told me the landlord is putting up a handicapped parking sign and grab bars in the restrooms and that the landlord was a nice guy. I told him I find that unusual for landlords.
On July 2, 2004 I received a massage Matthew Barnes who is Congressman Scott Garretts Campaign Manager with a message to call him back. I called him was told he was on the phone, but would call me back. He never did.
I called again, he assured me that my concerns would be addressed and wanted me to volunteer. I refused.
Here is another Scott Garrett disaster. Out of his Congressional war chest he gave a donation to JoAnne D'Angeli and Hal Wirths of $10,000 each who ran for Freeholder and another $10,000 to Robert Untig who ran for Sherriff. I think that is outragous when you make a donation to Garrett and he gives it to somone else. That sounds unethical and unprofessional.
If state and federal agencies do not comply with ADA, how can you expect the private sector?
Then no one wants to enforce the law.
If you enjoyed reading what I have written, please sign my guest book as I have put a lot of time into it. No one has offered to help me.
If you did not enjoy what you have written, it is your loss and wont sign my guest book, don't count on me signing your guestbook or joining your group.
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