THE WHITE CANE BULLETIN



Florida Council of The Blind, Inc.
May - June, 2002

FCB OFFICERS, 2000 - 2002
President:
Robert Miller
4128 Kreisch Way
Tallahassee, FL 32310
(850) 942-9821
E-mail:
EasyTalk@concentric.net

First Vice President:
Jesus Garcia
5955 W. 16th Lane
Hialeah, FL. 33012
(305) 471-0441 EXT (444)
E-mail:
JesusGar@BellSouth.net

Second Vice President:
Patti Davis
528 Orange Drive Unit 11
Altamonte Springs, FL 32701
(407) 767-8616
E-mail:
PattiAnne@cfl.rr.com

Treasurer:
James R. Warth, Jr.
1548 Corydon Avenue
Spring Hill, FL 34609
(352) 686-9300
E-mail:
FCBCFO@tampabay.rr.com

Membership Secretary:
Nancy Folsom
6500 Montrose Trail
Tallahassee, FL 32308
1-800-267-4448 (Note New Number)
E-mail:
Insight@nettally.com

Recording Secretary:
Sharon Youngs
237 Maple Avenue
Palm Harbor, FL 34684
(727) 937-8631
E-mail:
sky11@tampabay.rr.com

Immediate Past President:
Carl McCoy
180-B S.E. Villas Ct.
Tallahassee, FL 32303
(850) 553-9490
E-mail:
cmcoy@earthlink.net

Editors of White Cane Bulletin
Bill and Bobbie Probst
11721 Dunes Way Dr., N.
Jacksonville, FL 32225-1888
(904) 641-0709
FAX (904) 998-9012
E-Mail:
Wantom@aol.com
and
BobbieHP@aol.com

Articles published in The White Cane Bulletin are in compliance with Public Law No. 104197, Copyright Law Amendment of 1996. This law allows authorized entities to distribute copies of previously published non-dramatic literary works in specialized formats, including Braille, audio or digital text that are exclusively for use by Blind people or those with disabilities. Any further distributing of such articles in another than a specialized format is an infringement of copyright.

TABLE OF CONTENTS:
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
By Robert Miller

Well, it is certainly a busy time of year as our annual state convention draws near. This time I'll keep my remarks short since I hope to see most of you in Tampa. This is the year for celebrating some major victories for all people who are blind. Our convention will give us a chance to celebrate and rejoice together as we reflect on the results of our hard work.

Since this convention falls in an even numbered year, it is once again time to elect new officers. At the convention each chapter's representative will serve on the nominating committee. If you are interested in running for office, you should let your chapter representative know and, of course, you need to get busy letting the "voters," FCB's members, know as well. We are a growing organization and always need new leaders with new ideas.

I encourage each chapter to participate in the first-timer assistance opportunity to introduce new members/first time convention attendees into our wonderful organization. For more information on this resource, please read Patti Davis' article about First-Timers and guidelines for participating.
Click here for Patti Davis's article, "Welcome, First-Timers!"

Hope to see lots of you in Tampa and come prepared to have fun, celebrate and further our cause.

Table of Contents
Back to WCB maine page
FCB Home Page

FCB'S 49TH CONVENTION IS COMING SOON!
Date: May 31 - June 2, 2002
Special trip to Bush Gardens - May 30, 9:00 AM- 6:00 PM

Location: Doubletree Hotel - Westshore, 4500 West Cypress Street
Tampa, FL 33607.

Room Rates: Single and double $65.00 Per night plus tax.
Triple and quad and junior suites $69.00 Per night plus tax.

Telephone for reservations: (813) 879-4800 or (800) 355-0524. Be sure to tell them that you are attending the Florida Council of The Blind convention to get the special rates. The cut-off date is may 17, 2002. Reservations are based on room availability so call as early as possible.

A number of interesting workshops are planned along with the annual awards dinner and banquet. Special guest speaker will be Melenie Brunson, Director of Advocacy and Governmental Affairs for the American Council of The Blind in Washington, DC.

Sunday programming will give you the opportunity to participate in the business of the organization and to have a hand in electing the slate of officers who will serve FCB for the next two years.

We sincerely thank our convention committee headed by Debbie Grub with the capable assistance of Rosanna Lippen, Jim Kracht, Sila Miller, Sharon Youngs, Jim Warth and the many others who have put it all together for us again. It is sure to be informative and exciting. Hope you will be there!!

*** A minister waited in line to have his car filled with gas just before a long holiday weekend. The attendant worked quickly, but there were many cars ahead of him in front of the service station. Finally, the attendant motioned him toward a vacant pump. "Reverend," said the young man, "sorry about the delay. It seems as if everyone waits until the last minute to get ready for a long trip." The minister chuckled, "I know what you mean. It's the same in my business." ***

Table of Contents
Back to WCB maine page
FCB Home Page

THE TECHNOLOGY FUND

The Association of Blind Citizens has established the Assistive Technology Fund. The Assistive Technology Fund (ATF) will provide funds to cover 50% of the retail price of adaptive devices or software.
The ABC Board of Directors believes that this program will allow blind and visually impaired individuals access to technology products that will have a significant impact on improving employment opportunities, increase the level of independence and enhance their overall quality of life.

The products covered by this program must retail for a minimum of $200 with a maximum retail price of $6000. Persons eligible to apply for assistance must have a family income of less than $50,000 and cash assets of less than $20,000. Applications will be reviewed by the assistive technology committee (ATC) and recommendations will be submitted for board approval. If applicants are selected to receive a technology grant, applicants will be asked to provide documents such as tax returns, bank statements and any other documents that the ABC Board or its designee would deem necessary to assess financial need for the grant.

Applicants must be legally blind and the grantee must be a resident of the United States. Applications must be submitted by June 30, September 30 and December 31 for each grant period (three per year).
Applicants will be notified if their request for a grant is approved.
Applicants may submit one request per calendar year. All applications must be submitted via e-mail in accordance with the procedures outlined on the ABC website. You will be notified by ABC within 45 days after the application deadline.

To learn more and obtain your application please visit:
www.AssocOfBlindCitizens.Org
and click on the Assistive Technology Fund Link.

*** There is the story of a parson who got up one Sunday and announced to his congregation: I have good news and bad news. The good news is, we have enough money to pay for our new building program. The bad news is, it's still out there in your pockets. ***

Table of Contents
Back to WCB maine page
FCB Home Page

SMILE!
Unknown Author
Submitted by: Jack Varnon
(Smiling in Alachua)

Smiling is infectious,
you catch it like the flu,
When someone smiled at me today,
I started smiling too.

I walked around the corner and someone saw my grin
When he smiled I realized I'd passed it on to him.

I thought about that smile, then I realized its worth,
A single smile, just like mine,
could travel round the earth.

So, if you feel a smile begin, don't leave it undetected Let's start an epidemic quick, and get the world infected!

Table of Contents
Back to WCB maine page
FCB Home Page

WELCOME TO THE WORLD OF LYNX!
Reprinted from The Orlando Sentinel, April 19, 2002

Reforming Lynx to provide better service to the elderly and disabled citizens in Central Florida was an opportunity that the Florida Legislature happily took on during the last legislative session.

Imagine that you are an elderly widow in Central Florida. You may be hearing impaired, blind or otherwise unable to transport yourself. You sit on a bench outside your apartment or nursing home for hours, waiting to be taken to your pharmacy or your physician. You are late, you are scared, and you are angry.

Welcome to the world of the Transportation Disadvantaged.
Welcome to the world of Lynx!

Legislators in Orange, Osceola and Seminole counties hear dozens of similar horror stories from constituents complaining of the failed, expensive program. The Orlando Sentinel has chronicled these failures for years in its news sections and admitted in Thursday's editorial, "The program has been a disaster for years."

Apologists for failure can always hurl accusations at reformers. But Lynx has proven to be the epitome of bureaucratic incompetence, incapable of running the Transportation Disadvantaged program. In fact, Lynx could mess up a one-bus funeral!

The recent "conspiracy theory" promulgated by the Sentinel and the ever?growing bureaucratic disaster known as Lynx would easily be put to rest if the Sentinel and Lynx took the time merely to read the bill in question. Nowhere in the transit-reform bill, implicitly or explicitly, is there language that voids any prior contracts or says that prior contracts would be re-bid, therefore debunking any possibility of an ulterior motive to help a "dear friend."

The transit reform passed by the Legislature this year did not benefit any transit provider or lobbyist. It did not select any provider. The Legislature's role is not to micromanage local decisions, but to ensure that citizens are receiving the services to which they are entitled and expect from our government. The reform merely prohibits the Lynx board from running the program and brings Central Florida into consistency with the more successful programs run by MPO(s) (transportation planning organizations) and counties throughout the state.

Florida's Commission for the Transportation Disadvantaged has assured the governor and us that no interruption in service will occur. I anticipate that the recently selected provider, MV Transportation, will continue service. It is not responsible for past sins and deserves a chance to succeed. But oversight and coordination should be by the MPO, made up of local officials throughout Central Florida. The best company in the world would be incapable of delivering good service under the control and oversight of Lynx.

Change is never easy. I have fought for reform of Florida's education system, the Department of Children & Family Services, and now the Transportation Disadvantaged program. At every turn I have been attacked by those who refuse to admit when incompetence exists, and I've withstood their slings and arrows and baseless accusations.

So be it.

The elderly lady trying to get to her pharmacy or the doctor's office is well worth the fight.

Table of Contents
Back to WCB maine page
FCB Home Page

FAREWELL TO OUR SPARKLER
Easton Hall - August 24, 1994 - March 22, 2002 By Doug Hall and Nancy Burgess-Hall

On Friday, March 22, Easton Hall passed away after a sudden collapse and dramatic system failure, which was caused by an inoperable brain tumor. In just over two days, Easton went from a spirited, friendly, active and superb guide dog to a total invalid with no chance of recovery. The tumor caused complete paralysis, a shutdown of bodily functions and pneumonia. The following poem, written by Nancy Burgess-Hall, is a tribute to his life and memory.

Oh, those hugs and kisses;
racing about the house when we returned from work;
playing keep-away with his toys;
running between Doug's legs, rolling on his back to be petted and loving it as we stroked his ears and tummy;
groaning when lectures went too long;
howling whenever people clapped or sang (some said his howling was more in tune than the voices);
the eye contact and intonation, you'd swear he was talking;
the barking and butting in whenever we hugged each other;
the whining, when out shopping, one of us would walk away;
snooping under the Christmas tree for his gifts, then eagerly tearing them open and parading them about the house;
his energy, speed, yet smooth stride as he superbly guided Doug;
his friendly, easy-going, calming nature, especially around children, but when a special friend would come by, Oh, the almost out-of-control exuberance, even when in harness. We know many will miss Easton, but none as much as us.


Table of Contents
Back to WCB maine page
FCB Home Page

WELCOME, FIRST-TIMERS!
By Patti Davis

Once again, our annual Florida Council of the Blind Convention is right around the corner! Those of us who have attended previous conventions are eagerly anticipating meeting again this year, renewing old acquaintances, seeing old friends. But let's not forget making new ones! We old-timers remember when we were brand new to all this, didn't know exactly what to do, didn't know a soul! Well, the Board of Directors decided to do something to welcome first-time attendees: to make things a little easier, and hopefully encourage you all to return on a regular basis. Therefore, we are offering our "First-timers Workshop" again this year, with a few modifications and improvements.

Paul Edwards and Patti Davis will be hosting a meeting, to be held at 4:00 Friday afternoon, May 31. First?timers, along with a representative from their chapter, should plan to attend. At that time we will discuss what goes on at a convention, what is expected of attendees in terms of voting, acting as a delegate, etc., and answer any questions you may have. Each chapter is invited to bring up to two new members who have never attended a state convention previously. FCB will offer these individuals one hundred dollars to help defray expenses, with the stipulation that the local chapter match that amount; in other words, a total of two hundred dollars will be available for each individual. Chapter representatives should have a check, payable to FCB, ready at this meeting to cover their portion, i.e., one hundred or two hundred dollars, depending upon how many new members they are sponsoring.

In order to have a better idea of how many participants we will have, and who they are, please notify Patti Davis prior to convention if you will be presenting first-timers, and, if possible, the names of those individuals. E-mail is a fine mode of communication, so if that is available to you, that's great! Phone is fine also.

We look forward to seeing everyone in Tampa! Please submit chapter and first-timer name to:
Patti Davis
E-mail:
PattiAnne@cfl.rr.com
Telephone: (407) 767-8616.

*** Some body once figured out that we have 35 million laws trying to enforce 10 commandments. ***

Table of Contents
Back to WCB maine page
FCB Home Page

ITEMS FOR SALE

Neither Florida Council of The Blind, its officers, nor editors of this publication warrant or guarantee items in this column.
It is presented as a service to FCB members.

CCTV - Clearview 300, one-year old, barely used. Excellent condition, asking $1,000 (1/2 original price).
Contact Alan Cohn
5341 SW 21st Court
Plantation, FL 33317
Phone: (954) 792-5553

************************************************************ Handmade Crafts -Rev.
Adelaide Wink sells her handcrafted items such as pot holders and scrapers, hand knit baby sweaters and other handmade items. She also does Braille writing.
Please contact her at 59 S. Lee Street
Beverly Hills, FL 34465-3640
(352) 746-3087. Get in touch with Rev. Wink for details.

Table of Contents
Back to WCB maine page
FCB Home Page

NEW DRUG DISCOUNT CARD
Reprinted from AARP Bulletin (May 2002)

Seven pharmaceutical companies are jointly launching a new drug discount card which, they say, offers discounts on more than 150 of their own products.

The "Together Rx" card will be available to Medicare enrollees with no drug coverage whose annual incomes are less than $28,000 (individuals) or $38,000 (couples).

The seven companies are Abbott, Astra Zeneca, Aventis, Bristol Myers Squibb, GlaxoSmithKline, Johnson & Johnson and Novartis. Two others, Pfizer and Eli Lilly offer flat-fee co-payment cards on prescriptions for their own products.

The new joint card promises drug discounts of 15 to 40 percent off the "average wholesale price," but each company decides its own discounts and the products the card will cover.

The card is a useful step, but no industry card covers all drugs and all beneficiaries or provides the stability that full drug coverage within Medicare could, says AARP Executive Director, Bill Novelliu.

For more details or to get an application call (800) 865-7211 or go online to:
www.TogetherX.com

Table of Contents
Back to WCB maine page
FCB Home Page

PROJECT INSIGHT CONTRIBUTION

Our Sincere Thanks to These Contributors

The Residents Association, PSI Mandarin Center, Jacksonville, FL, in memory of Millie Harper who passed away on April 20, 2002. $25.00

Table of Contents
Back to WCB maine page
FCB Home Page

END OF REGULAR LEGISLATIVE SESSION
An Overview of Legislative Actions in The 2002 Session
By Jo Ann Hutchinson, Executive Director, Commission for the Transportation Disadvantaged

Last evening (March 22, 2003) the 2002 regular session of the Legislature ended with many bills passing as well as redistricting maps for legislative and congressional seats and a compromise bill creating a Commission for review of tax exemptions for the future. The Legislature did not agree on the budget for the upcoming fiscal year as well as a required Education Code rewrite and the duties of the new Chief Financial Officer which also has to be decided. They will return after Easter to address the Education and Chief Financial Officer issue and probably will not resolve the budget until May after the next Revenue Estimating Conference meets. Here are the final results on issues impacting the TD Program.

1. The TD Trust Fund re-creation bill did pass (SB 866/HB 1709).

2. The public records exemption for medical information for Para transit riders' eligibility records (SB 1534/HB687) did not pass. A taskforce was created to review all public records exemption so we will try again next session.

3. No changes were made to Chapter 427, F.S. the authorizing law for the TD Program.

4. SB 100 did pass but was amended several times toward the end of the session. In the final bill, there was approved language to prohibit the Lynx transportation system in the Orange, Osceola and Seminole area from serving as the Community Transportation Coordinator (effective July 1, 2002). The bill also included language stating the TD Trust Fund would be included in the Appropriations Act. All the initial language regarding the removal of several exemptions for motor cycles, boat trailers and other motor vehicles registrations was stripped from the bill. This means this proposed source of revenue will not occur for any new monies authorized.

5. The proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year which starts on July 1, 2002, was not agreed upon so the Legislature will be returning in special session in May to work out differences between the House and Senate budget proposals. Here is where a commitment for additional TD funding is expected.
We have been assured by the House and Senate that the budget proposal in the House budget will prevail which would mean an additional budget authority of $9 Million for the upcoming budget year. We will be working with the Legislature when they return to ensure that this commitment is carried out.

6. Two more cosponsors have signed onto the two bills. They are Senator Crist (R) representing Hillsborough and Pasco Counties as well as Representative Peterman (D) representing Manatee, Pinellas and Hillsborough Counties.

We would like to thank everyone who assisted in educating the Legislature about the need for additional TD funds. We ended up with 15 cosponsors in the Senate and 58 cosponsors in the House for the initial bills relating to removal of motor vehicle registrations. When the bills were amended through out this last week removing this provision and adding other issues, the bills still continued to receive unanimous support in both the House and Senate. We are looking forward to the final budget being available so we can finally celebrate the commitment of the Legislature to provide more services and begin to start meeting the growing unmet transportation needs.

Senator Richard Mitchell and Representative Ron Greenstein should be thanked for their leadership under very difficult situations throughout the session. They stood their ground that more transportation is needed and that this is their priority. So please thank them for getting this far and urge them to ensure that the budget commitment stays in place. Their e-mail addresses are:
mitchell.richard.web@leg.state.fl.us
and
greenstein.ron@leg.state.fl.us

We will keep you posted as this final stage of the legislative process continues.

Thanks again for everyone's help.
GOD BLESS AMERICA!

*** The owner of the carriage obviously had a sense of humor, because attached to the back of the carriage was a hand printed sign...Energy efficient vehicle. Runs on oats and grass...Caution: Do not step in exhaust. ***

Table of Contents
Back to WCB maine page
FCB Home Page

NOTABLE QUOTES

"You would look good for your age if you would just stop telling everyone you are 29"
Leroy

"We could accomplish so much more if no one cared who got the credit."
Unknown Author

"The quality of a person's life is in direct proportion to their commitment to excellence."
Vince Lombardi

"A problem well stated is a problem half solved."
Charles F. Kettering

"The best thinking has been done in solitude. The worst has been done in turmoil."
Thomas Alva Edison

Table of Contents
Back to WCB maine page
FCB Home Page

HERE'S YOUR CHANCE TO PROPOSE BY-LAW CHANGES
By Linda Jacobson, By-Laws and Constitution Committee Chairperson

One of your chapter's yearly duties is to provide your most recent Constitution and/or By-Laws to the FCB Constitution and By-Law Committee.
Each chapter should be able to assign the task of bringing the most recent copy to the convention. The FCB Constitution and By-Law Committee will be meeting on Friday afternoon. We look forward to seeing a representative from each chapter.

Currently we have no changes to bring before the convention membership, but if anyone has thoughts about FCB By-Law changes, that is still possible. For FCB By-Law changes we are required to present them to the general membership 24 hours before voting on these changes. So, if anyone has input, please be sure to attend our FCB Constitution and By-Law Committee meeting on Friday. If there are any questions or input, please contact Linda Jacobson at the convention or at home at 904-272-8405 or E- mail at:
jacobsli@concentric.net

Table of Contents
Back to WCB maine page
FCB Home Page

A MAJOR DVS VICTORY
Author Unknown

What started out as a quiet Friday just became very exciting. We have received word that the court has denied the request of the Motion Picture Association et al, to grant a stay and prevent implementation of the FCC's rule on video description. This action follows a similar refusal by the FCC itself earlier this week.

This means that audio described programming will begin on network television as scheduled, with the quarter which begins on April 1, 2002!!
Get ready for TV history and a really cool week in front of your TV sets.

We at the ACB want to express our appreciation to all the blindness organizations who have worked tirelessly for more than fifteen years to achieve this breakthrough in accessibility! We all have reason to celebrate, to pat one another on the back for a job well done, and to express our collective appreciation to the Federal Communications Commission, and the court, for recognizing that we who are blind and visually impaired have just as much right to enjoy the programming on television as everyone else in America. How cool that we are about to see and hear history in the making!

Table of Contents
Back to WCB maine page
FCB Home Page

UPDATE ON FLOYD KNUTSEN

Floyd Knutsen has been diagnosed with bladder cancer. He and his parents, Donnagene (Jean) and Winson, have been very active in FCB and the Clay County Chapter since its inception. She was FCB's Archives Chairperson for many years. Floyd has always kept busy during conventions and board meetings helping members in any way possible. We have not seen much of the Knutsen family for the past couple of years since they retired and became less active.

Floyd has undergone several surgeries and is now recuperating in a rehabilitation center in Orange Park, FL. He has not experienced the smooth recovery that was expected.

In addition, Winson suffered an injury just before Christmas of 2001 which resulted in a joint replacement and he is recuperating at home.

Floyd would love to hear from his friends in FCB. His home address is:
Floyd Knutsen
3920 Everington Road
Green Cove Springs, FL 32043
His phone number is:
(904) 284-9508.

We all send Floyd, Jean and Winson our very best wishes for the family's recovery. God bless you, Floyd!

Table of Contents
Back to WCB maine page
FCB Home Page

FLORIDA CULTURAL MAGAZINE NOW ON TAPE AND IN BRAILLE
By Doug Hall

Beginning with the Spring, 2002 issue of "Florida History & The Arts", this popular quarterly magazine will be available on cassette and in Braille. The publication is published by the Florida Division of Historical Resources and the Florida Department of Cultural Affairs, Florida Department of State. The Spring 2002 issue has articles on:

•"Preserving Florida's Downtowns" (including Daytona Beach)
•"Florida during World War II," articles on Florida's theatres, museums and cultural events, and more.

Table of Contents
Back to WCB maine page
FCB Home Page

GOODIES FROM MEMBERS' KITCHENS

Apple Butter, by Billy Ward



Mix all ingredients in a 9"x12" baking pan.
Place uncovered in 350-degree oven and bake for two hours, stirring every 30 minutes.

American Goulash Chili-mac, By Billy Ward



Brown beef, strain off grease and add other ingredients. Cook for 1-1/2 hours.
Last 45 minutes add 1 16-oz. package elbow macaroni. Add cheese if desired.

Table of Contents
Back to WCB maine page
FCB Home Page

FCB CHAPTER LIAISONS Official Chapters



- The END-


Table of Contents
Back to WCB maine page
FCB Home Page