From The Port

Yo! Save the Geese! Filmed in Cambridge MA by Northeastern Students for Film Fest

2009-09-20T11:38:00.002-05:00

Like all are, this film should stand on it's own.

Howling in Happiness!

2009-08-01T12:50:00.004-05:00

Cambridge City Councillor, Marjory Decker off the ballot of 2009?

Robert Winters is reporting that Marjorie Decker, incumbant Cambridge City Councillor failed to submit enough nomination signatures to be certified as nominated to be a candidate for City Council, and she therefore will not be on the ballot for the Nov 3rd election. there are 20 candidates who will be on the ballot, competing for 9 seats.

This week I again recieved a communication that decker wants guide dogs banned from City Council meetings she attends. Therefore, guide dogs are howling in celebration that she may not be attending City Council meetings as an elected City Councillor after January, 2010.

Complaint Filed Against Sgt James Crowley, Cambridge Police Officer Who Acts Like Judge, Jury and Arresting Officer

2009-07-26T14:21:00.004-05:00

Complaint filed against Sgt James Crowley, July 10, 2008, at the direction of Cambridge Police Commissioner Robert Haas. Police Superintendent Stephen Williams was instructed to help me file this complaint. This was immediately after a meeting about Crowley's repeted threats to have me arrested on false, trumped up charges.

Here is a great video, please visit the creator's Youtube site.

I was not at all surprised when I heard that Sgt James Crowley has arrested an innocent man at his own home. At the meeting I had with Commissioner Haas, I expressed concern that an internal complaint would be nothing more than a whitewash. And so it was. But I had another meeting with Commissioner Haas, Stephen Williams, Kelly Downes, Neil Alpert from the Mayors office, and we again discussed the ongoing discrimination against me by Cambridge Police, and what training the police were recieving. More on this later. I repetedly told Police Commissioner Robert Haas:

"I fear, that if you don't hold Sgt James Crowley accountable, he will continue to do this to others, and eventually he will do this to the wrong person."

How Do We Build Community? Hope and Healing.

2008-03-30T11:54:00.004-05:00

Colourful photo above shows a woman of colour waiting for a bus in Central Sq., Cambridge, MA. The photo below shows two white men waiting for a bus in Inman Sq. One appears to be middleclass, the other appears less well off, economically, and carries a cane.

All three are busy dealing with common problem: transportation.

Hope and healing.

Above is Bruce from Mass Office on Disability with his service dog. He has a level in his hand and is teaching us how to measure sidewalks for cross-slope. We are volunteers from the greater Boston area who will lead access survey walks in celebration of the 15th Anniversary of the passing of the Civil Rights Act of 1990, Public Law 101-336, otherwise known as the Americans With Disabilities Act, the ADA. The ADA is enforced through the Civil Rights Act of 1964, that made it unlawful to discriminate based on race. The ADA makes it unlawful to discriminate based on disability.

Below is a photo of an African American male, and a white female.

Today we continue to struggle with our latent biases. I hope you will take time to view these photos, even enlarge and print them, and share them with family and friends. My intention, when I took these, was to illustrate the "DREAM."

Hope and healing.

Obama's speach on "race" provides us with real insight into what the barrier of attitude is, and how it handicaps us.

By speaking in plain english, without hesitation, baring painful truths on a subject that most of us would prefer be swept under the rug of "it doesn't affect me, personally," Obama has laid a foundation to rebuild a strong and United States of America. One of the most amazing outcomes of his speach is how much latent racism spilled over into the reaction to the speach itself.

It very may be that there are those who are invested, heavily, in that which tends to divide us. Those of us who want and seek inclusion, meet a bouncer at door after door. The bouncer is the barrier to inclusion. The "reason" given for exclusion varies from place to place. Inclusion, it seems, is illusion, even in 2008 in America today.

Fear and loathing are probably the main motivations for excluding individuals. The idea that we may have to consider the feelings of someone different from self is starteling to us. It immediately raises to our consciounsous our own bias. Something we don't want to acknowledge, or be associated with. Do we prefer "Out of sight, out of mind?"

But a group, City, State or Country is handicapped when not all of its individuals are considered members of the community, much less respected members of the community. The issue then, and which we have been skirting for a long time, is "Who should be members of the community, and how do we respect this commitment?"

How do we build community. How do we value community? How do we open ourselves to the views of others, whom we have learned to ignor, scorn, and speak with contempt about?

Yes, indeed, this is the guestion. How do we build community?

>>They said his speech, which called for an honest dialogue about race, offered an opportunity to be open to others' experiences without automatically triggering the shame, guilt and strife such conversations usually entail.

"Obama is such a gift right now: He talks about the truth in a way that everyone on all sides needs to hear, in a way that suggests there's hope for a new day," said Allan Collister, 64, who is white and is the pastor of New Church Berkeley, a nondenominational and heavily Asian church that's within the evangelical Protestant umbrella. "He treats with respect people he doesn't agree with. That's so huge."<< >>If it's segregated public schools, it's mostly black people who come to meetings. If it's about immigration, it's immigrants. If it's about sexuality, it's largely gays and lesbians. "St. Paul says that when any member of the family suffers, all suffer. Or when one rejoices, all rejoice. But we as a people live as if that weren't true."<< http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/03/30/MNIBVQS0Q.DTL&type=politics

http://tinyurl.com/yuzjj8

Easter

2008-03-23T17:54:00.001-05:00

His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow.

Bible: King James version; Matthew 28:3

Dangerous Intersection Needs Proper Controls

2008-03-22T11:38:00.002-05:00

My heart goes out to the harvard Grad student who was killed in the crosswalk in Central Square in cambridge Monday morning. This was an accident that was forseeable and preventable. here are some photos that I took almost 3 years ago to documant the problems at this intersection, where go on green cars cross the Mass Ave crosswalk while pedestrians enter the crosswalk on a save to walk light.

This is a tragedy and a travesty. It needs to be changed...

Photo above shows a blind man using a white cane waiting for the walk light. In the photo below he is walking across Mass Ave in the Cross walk. He is at a bit of an angle, and confused, because he hears traffic in front of him, so he veres away from aproaching car.

The cars have the green light and are turning across the crosswalk at the same time the walk light is on. We have all complained about this, but it is the City of Cambridge's pollicy to "keep the traffic moving."

The photo below shows the blind man has run into the car that is blocking the crosswalk and the accessible route to the curb ramp. The blind man cannot see it, and cannot hear any sound signals.

A full compliment of sound signals is needed so folks who are blind can hear them in both directions. theis photo was taken June 30, 2005.

Here the police sit, but show no concern, nor do they come to the aid of pedestrians caught in the crosswalk with crossing vehicular traffic. They do not even come to the aid of the blind man.

We need a full complement of sound signals at all busy intersections in Cambridge, and we need to end the police of having a green light at the same time as a walk light here in Central Square.

Harvard Grad student run over in crosswalk at known dangerous intersection at Central Sq, Cambridge

2008-03-19T15:03:00.005-05:00

The photo above shows a man trying to cross Mass Ave in Central Sq. He has the light, but got trapped by a big bus that was turning across his path because the bus had a green light and this intersection has a safe to walk light at the same time. That's green for you. A good way to save on gas, and avoid ideling, but puts the pedestrian at risk

The photo below shows the man weaving down the crosswalk, after getting around the rear of the bus, he has to negociate with the driver of a car. This is taking a long time, will he make it before the light turns? Well, come to think of it, it hardly matters, what with all the cars in the intersection having made a right turn on green into the crosswalk filled with pedestrians walking on a safe to walk light!

Please note the signal shows a red hand, it means don't start, the cars on Western ave still have the green light and are still making right turns on green. You can see that is true, because the bicycle in the crosswalk is waiting for his light to turn green so he can go.

Do you think the old man using the walker will make it across the street in time? Do you care? If you do care, send me an email, or write to City Councillor Craig Kelley.

Double the pleasure: Service dogs welcome in VA and NY schools

2008-03-10T23:20:00.004-05:00

Service dogs can assist folks who are blind, or deaf, or need assistance walking, among other needs. These dogs are not pets, but working dogs, who need to be focused on their partners. When someone says no touch, they are not being rude, but it is important not to distract the service dog. Some studies show that there are 15,000 service dogs in the US, but that number is probabally low. In the photo above and below the service dog is a guide dog trained to assist a PWD who is blind. Working with their partner allows PWDs great independence, and affords them an opportunity to participate in all activities others enjoy. Boty the federal ADA and local state laws provide broad protections for PWDs who use service animals, most of which are dogs. Some states have stronger protections, giving police powers to prevent interferrence with a PWDs use of a service dog. Mass law does not privide such protection. Fed law superceeds state law when the state law is weaker.

Service dogs can be banned if their behavior presents a threat or interrupts the activity, but that has been rare. however, recently, around the country, and especially here in cambridge there has been an effort to ban ALL service dogs, including guide dogs, based on their very presence. some folks just think dogs don't belong here, and are not healthy. That attitude belies all the health studies that show how dogs improve the health of prople, and therapy dogs are often brought into hospitals, nursing homes, and even to the Sr Center here in Cambridge.

Last month, the state of VA passed unanimously, and with the support of the Gov, two service dog laws that would permit service dogs in publ;ic schools. The law makes a distinction between public entity and public accomodation. Today news stories report that Simba, a service dog for a hearing impaired student must be allowed into the school.

This is good news for Persons with Severe Disabilities, and who rely on a service dog for their freedom. One thing I still haven't been able to understand is how some folks can make such a fuss over this idea. When folks tell me they are afraid of dogs, they were once bitten by a dog, I ask, have you ever been in a car accident, or seen one. Yes, they have always answered so far. Then, I ask, so, are you afraid of that car coming at us over there?

Thst usually gets me a big smile. Even my sister is warming up to my Shannon, and buys her treats, and invites her into the house! It is great to feel welcome, and if anyone thinks my Shannon's feelings are not hurt when we are yelled at in a hostile mannor, they should think again. But, then, these folks aren't really thinking at all, they are just reacting with a negativity that I really cannot understand.

So, congratulations to VA and NY, and I hope that eventually MA will heel to the Federal Civil Rights Law, or superceed it.

Marjorie Decker, who claims she i9s allergic to my service dog, Shannon, participates in a City Council Candidates debate for 3 hours, just 5 feet from my service dog, with no ill effects whatsoever.

The photo above shows one candidate who is tired, but Marjorie not only is not suffering from an allergic reaction to Shannon, my service dog only 5 feet away, but she is perky and animated!

Here is another shot of Marjorie Decker, the City Councillor who wants to ban guide dogs from City Council meetings. As you can see she is clear eyed, and breathing quite well. Marjorie stayed for the full debate, with Shannon only 5 feet away.

Merry Christmas!!

2007-12-22T20:33:00.000-05:00

Merry Christmas from Kathy and Shannon!!

Reindeer, both male and female have antlers. The male reindeer drop their antlers in the fall, but the females carry theirs until their calves are born in the spring.

Since Santa's reindeer all had antlers, including Rudolf, and they were very busy on Christmas Eve, what with all those rooftops and all, Santa's Reindeer must all have been female!

May the spirt of the reindeer be with you all in this season of Peace and Goodwill!

Snow Removal on Pearl Street, Cambridge Style

2007-12-20T13:06:00.000-05:00

Yikes!!

2007-12-20T12:56:00.000-05:00

And here is the other side of the story! The dump truck is filled to overflowing. I was told the snow will be dumped on New St, near Dahaney Park. I wonder when the decision to use this location was made? The City was told quite a few years ago to stop dumping snow into the Charles River Estuary, and they then plowed and dumped it into Handiacpped Parking Spaces. I objected, and when the City continued with the practice I filed a Complaint with MCAD for unlawful discrimination.

The City really needs to think this whole thing through better. We should have a snow lot, and perhaps melt the snow, perhaps we could even get energy from this. When I used to ski, and spent time in Quebec City, they often recieved 24" of snow every two days or so. They brought in snow lifts, that worked like an escalator, runing down the streets after the plow, lifting the snow up the "ladder" where it "fell" into the dump truck that followed it. Cambridge knows where the narrow streets that carry bus traffic are located, and they should plan accordingly. This snow should have been removed on Friday, last week, after the unexpected 8" we recieved.

Hoping we will only get a dusting is NOT A PLAN!!!

Will the shovels be used to clear snow from curb ramps?

2007-12-20T12:45:00.000-05:00

Sometimes the large equipment used by DPW inadvertantly knocks huge chunks of heavy street treated snow into the already shoveled curb ramps , blocking access. I have documented this problem several times. This has been a matter of discussion at Cambridge Commission for Persons With Disabilities, where folks are repetedly, and eronesoly told that private property owners are responsible for clearing snow from City sidewalks and curb ramps. Please referr to previous snow and curb ramp posts.

Below is a photo of a DPW truck with shovels. When I asked if the snow that fell into the curb ramps would be removed, I was told "Thats what the shovels are for." However, I observed the shovels being used to "pull down" snow from plowed up piles onto the street so the snow could be collected in the bucked and deposited into the dump truck. I haven't been back to check the curb ramps yet today, as, gee wiz, its snowing again!!

Six Hours after signs without dates were posted on Magazine and Pearl St this car was towed

2007-12-20T11:16:00.000-05:00

Wed evening this car was towed by the City of Cambridge from Pearl St at Lawrence St. Emergency no parking signs had been posted only six hours earlier in the same day, at 3pm. I called DPW, and the Cambridge Police to voice my opinion that yes, we needed to remove the excess snow that had encroached upon the street to the point that the MBTA bus could not travel down the street without having an accident and brushing into cars parked on either side. However, I explained that many folks who had cars parked pon the odd side of the street had gone to work before the signs were posted, or were working double shifts, and had not yet returned home from work.

DPW trucks trundled along Pearl Street around 8 pm announcing Cars parked on the odd numbered side of the street must be moved or they will be ticketed or towed. Only folks who were home could here this anouncement. I find it patently unfair to peanilize residents who park their cars on the street because they do not have driveways for the City's failure to plan better.

Here is one of the signs planted in snow banks anlog both Pearl and Magazine Street. There is no date nor time, but all residents I spoke with who turned ont to see the planned mass towing opperation informed me the signs were not there before 3pm. I called a City Councillor and the Chronicle, and the police, again, and apparently this mass towing event was nipped in the bud, because, as I was told later by DPW snow removal crew, we didn't get the signs up in time.

City dumps salt/sand on top of unshoveled 4" thick carpet of snow turned to ice

2007-12-19T14:57:00.001-05:00

Believe it or not, the City came to my home, after my testimony In City Council Monday evening, and after the late Policy Order about how the City might get the snow off the sidewalks that abutt the properties of taxpayers who are disabled, or seniors, and on the City's Snow Exemption Program. The photos above show what they did when they finally got there!

Did they shovel the snow, or remove the ice? No!!

What they did was dump tons of salt treated snow on top of the 4" thick frozen solid snow turned to ice carpet! Most of the treatment stopped short of the sidewalk taht passes across the driveway. "We don't do driveways" is the infamous motto used by DPW. Of course the driveway is not the issue, the sidewalk that passes across the driveway is the issue! DA!!!

So, as you can see, huge chunks of frozen and ineffectively treated snow continue to block the passage way, whice is barely a foot wide, and which continues to be a hazard to any passerby, and in inpassible barrier to anyone using a wheelchair.

It is impossible for my service dog to walk on the sidewalk in front of our own house, because her feet get severly burned when this much salt is used. Although I have asked the City to modify its proceedures re using excissive salt vs shoveling the snow as other reasonible folks do, the City continues to ignor any request for reasonable modifications to their policies, and just does as they please, and only after public testimony, photos, and pressure from City Council!

Please do see previous stories on this. And leave comments of your own as you like!

Cambridge City's Snow Exemption Program

2007-12-17T21:49:00.000-05:00

In the photo above you can see that the carpet of tramped down snow turned to ice has melted down to 3" deep. No one can walk on this, much less People With Disabilities, or Seniors. The City of Cambridge has a duty to shovel the snow from the sidewalks that abutt the properties of our most vulnerable citizens. However, the City has failed.

Here is a photo of the dahanhewy Park crew skedadleing after they discovered that the siodewalk was solid ice. They tried a couple of shovel strilkes at the solid 3" thick ice, then gave upo, jumped in the pick up and took off. I just caught them as they were taking off down Pearl Street.

Marie Liman, DPW informed me today, that the DPW was no longer responmsible for clearing snow and ice from the sidewalks abutting property of folks on the City's Snow Exemption Program. She explained that the Paul Ryder, 617 349 6229, at the Dept of Human Services was responsible. I found out from Anita Rhodinburg (sp) that this crew was responsible for

1. Dahany Park, all the parking lots there, and the abutting sidewalk there.

2. Blanchard Rd sidewalk abutting the golf course.

3. Ringe Rd abutting the cementary.

4. 8 Child Care Centers located at the Public Schools

5. 65-75 Sidewalks abutting properties of folks on the City's Snow Exemption Program.

As you can see from the photos, no one cleared any snow from this sidewalk, nor did they treat it with anti icing. Innfact no one has cleared snow nor treated for icing after any of the 3 storms we had this year.

Sno go in Cambridge MA

2007-12-16T21:45:00.000-05:00

Here is a sidewalk that has not been shoveled. It is covered with tramped down snow that has turned into a slippery, icy, hazard. Whose sidewalk is this? This is the sidewalk of a Person With a Disability who is on the City's Snow Exemption Program. to clear snow and ice from the sidewalks and curb ramps abutting their property. This is a good idea, because it keeps taxes down.

The City is required by State Law to clear snow and ice from the sidewalks, but the State allows the City to use the local option, and assign to property owners the duty of clearing snow from sidewalks and curb ramps that abbut their property.

The City has a program for People With Disabilities, and frail Seniors, who are unable to shovel snow, and who have limited income. The City will shovel the snow for those who qualify for the City's Snow Exemtion Program. Currently there are about 70 folks who qualify.

However, the City fails to actually come and shovel the snow. The sidewalks then become a dangerous barrier along sidewalks that have been cleared by other property owners. Everyone who passes by sees a property owner who has not cleared the snow from the sidewalk in front of their property. Folks on the City's Snow Exemption Program, CSEP, are therby publically humiliated!!

I have recommended that the City adopt a voucher system. Folks on the CSEP would recieve vouchers for snow clearance, which would be based on how long their sidewalk is, and could use these vouchers to have someone shovel the snow on the sidewalks abbuting their property at the same time they shovel their own property. It would get the sidewalks done in a timely way, and free up City staff to pay attention to curb ramps and parks that the City is also responsibe for.

Why does the City refuse to consider vouchers for the CSEP?

When Open Space is Not Green

2007-10-30T15:16:00.000-05:00

I was inspired by Marilyn Wellons testimony In City Council last evening, and asked her to write them up so I could share them with you on my blog. At issue is the development of open space as policy of the City of Cambridge. The immediate location for the moment is Magazine Beach.

Kathy, you asked for a summary of my comments at the City Council meeting last night, October 29:

The City Council's Ordinance Committee has submitted areport on a proposed zoning amendment to "incorporaterequirements for LEED standards" for large projects. (LEED stands for "Leadership in Energy andEnvironmental Design.") Here again we have the City Council making much of"green" buildings.

Real green space? The Council, our policy-settingbody, adopted a "no new open space" policy in the 2000 Green Ribbon Report.

In June, 2003, it asked theManager about the acquisition of new open space inEast Cambridge. Since there's nothing to report in the last four years, there's been no reply.

The Manager and Council agree that Cambridge wants 5000 SF "green buildings," not 5000 SF green open space.

At Shady Hill Square, city officials discouraged neighbors from asking the Council to rezone the 5000 SF park to open space. Officials also declined to designate the park a landmark.

Open space pays no taxes, does nothing for the AAA bond rating. 5000 SF "green buildings" do.

In a letter to the Council, Councillor and now State Senator Galluccio reaffirmed his "steadfast" support for the "long overdue" project at Magazine Beach. The playing fields there are now also habitat for waterfowl. Cambridge will destroy the grass there now and replace it with commercial sod for professional-levelfields.

We agree that new playing fields for the city's children are very long overdue. The problem is that we won't be getting them at Magazine Beach. At Magazine Beach we are getting ZERO new playingfields.

The city will pay $1.5 million to develop EXISTING STATE, not city, ball fields. It will destroy habitat and pollute the river, as the prototype project at Ebersol Fields in Boston has donefor the last two years.

Cambridge thus allows the development of all possible open space in the city for NEW fields as taxable,"green" buildings instead. And while Cambridge works on its bond rating, other municipalities in the Charles River watershed will help pay for any possible cleanup of the algae blooms that follow from MagazineBeach as they have from Ebersol Fields.

Kathy, I would add a question: how long will Cambridge voters go along with this thinking? Marilyn

You cannot get off the MBTA bus

2007-09-28T12:33:00.000-05:00

Due to my balance problems I am unable to stand on a moving bus, so when I board the bus I always ask the driver to "Please wait until I am seated before you drive forward." I am using an access pass, so the driver sees my pass and reduced fare. Usually the driver does wait, and as soon as I reach the seat I call out, "all set" or something like that. This takes very little time unless the bus is very crowded. Of course, if I board before other passengers I do not need to ask the driver to wait , because I have time to find a seat before all have boarded.

Sometimes, however, when I ask the driver to wait until I am seated, s/he doesn't wait. If I am in mid step the forward momentum of the bus will send me flying, and I can crash into the seats, onto the floor, or be knocked into other passengers, and even fall onto babies in strollers. Therefore, if I have a chance, when I feel the bus moving, I try to sit immediately onto the floor, so I am not thrown down and risk serious injury. Then, when the bus stops, I can get up and get to a seat.

However, yesterday I recieved a big shock when I asked the driver to wait. Not only did he not wait until I was seated but he drove forward immediately, even before I could reach the disability seating area located just after the wheel wells in the front of the bus. I promply sat on the floor, and told him, "I can't stand on the moving bus." He stoped, and assisted me to my feet, and I then located a seat.

Then, unbelievably, he started to take the names of witnesses to prove that I had sat down on the floor deleberately, and led them to believe that I was trying to claim that I had fallen. Within minutes the passengers were all screaming and shouting at me, some wanted me in jail and others wanted me killed. I immediately tried to explain, but no one would listen. Then I called Jim Monahan, bus operations, at the MBTA and tried to tell him what was happening. The screaming and yelling was so loud I couldn't hear what he was saying to me. I did hear him ask me to wait until an inspector arrived. I did wait.

The passengers kept up the verbal assaults, and the driver was talking into the bus "phone." At no time did the driver try to calm the passengers or protect me from their verbal assaults. An inspector arrived, and after he took the names of numerous witnesses, and heard the most awful "stories" about me, he finally spoke with me. Even then the passengers well screaming and shouting insults. I finally asked one witness to show him exactly where I sat down on the floor. I made sure he saw that it was right in the front of the bus, well before the disability seating, and then pointed out the bus was pulled away from the curb and had driven forward. he asked me repetedly if I had fallen, and I repetedly told him that I had not, and that I never told anyone that I had fallen.

Then another bus came and all the passengers were transfered to the new bus, except me. So I requested that they put the floor down so I could get off and onto the new bus, but they refused. I was kept on the bus, even as a couple more buses went by, for 45min against my will. I had to call my neighbor to come and help get the MBTA to but the floor of the bus down so I could get off. The MBTA personel were outside the bus and laughing and making fun of me. Later that day I met someone who told me they were videotaping the behavior of bus drivers toward passengers, "It's unbelievable what they do to people!"

The MBTA police informed me it is not illegal for them to refuse to let me off the bus like that. he thought it was a huge joke.

Death of a lap top

2007-08-21T13:59:00.000-05:00

I am sorry to report that I haven't peen posting recently due to the demise of my faithful lap top.

I am without the funds to purchace another one. Any and all aid will be considered to I can continue to communicate with you all.

Disabled Woman with Service Dog Denied Entrance to Boston MA State House!!

2007-04-21T17:05:00.000-05:00

A woman with a disability accompianied by her service animal was denied access to the State House Friday, April 20, 2007. She called Govenor Patrick's office on her cell phone, and asked they send someone to the entrance to assist her in gaining access. She had been told that she needed a letter from the Department of Public Safety before she would be allowed entrance. The DCR Ranger gave directions to One Ashburton Place, where she could find the Department of Public Safety. Only after the aid from the Govenor's office arrived, and after making a copy of the Delta Society description of the Civil Rights Act of 1990, and being reassured that no special tag was required, was the woman allowed entrance to the State House with her service dog.

"I shouldn't have to go through this in order to enter the State House," and the Department of Public Safety does not issue such letters, said the woman. The DCR Ranger accused her of being rude because she asked him what his name was. "This was caused by your rude behavior, you asked me what my name was," complained the DCR Ranger. I need your name to make a complaint, she responded.

Mayor Ken Reeves and City Manager Bob Healy pull another fast one on neighbors concerned with crime in Cambridge

2007-04-11T18:51:00.000-05:00

Above is a photo, taken at night, of flowers tied to a tree that marks the location where Corey Davis was gunned down on a quiet tree lined street in Cambridgeport, only 2 blocks from my home.

Fatal Cambridge shooting stuns family-oriented neighborhood
By Chris Helms and Thomas Caywood/ Cambridge Chronicle and Boston HeraldMonday, March 20, 2006 - Updated: 01:38 PM EST
http://news.bostonherald.com/localRegional/view.bg?articleid=131290

Neighbors were concerned, naturally, with the continuing violence that raged across Cambridge, and we circulated a petition, and clamored for a special committee to address the complex problems that resulted in the shedding of blood on sidewalks right in front of our homes.

City Council passed an order setting up such a neighborhood crime task force, and finally a meeting was schedualled. A meeting as secret and closed as the Mayor's travel receipts. More clamor from neighbors resulted in the meeting being reschedualled, and notice to the public. The first meeting was held during the day when folks who were working could not attend. More clamor and finally the meeting was schedualled for the evening. The only problem it is in direct conflict with neighborhood meetings!!!!

Why are the hardworking, decent folks who are my neighbors being jerked around like this??

Here is the comment I left on the Mayor's Blog hosted by the Cambridge Chronicle...

"Dear Mayor Reeves, I sure can appreciate your argument for privacy, which is part of my complaint about the police action called by you on Oct 30, 2006, and the repeted attempt of the police and others to intimidate me, threaten me with (another false) arrest, threat and attempt to illegally confiscate my service animal. Not to mention comments re your mistaken view that I am mental.

The fact is, neither I nor my service dog has ever hounded you on your travel expenses.

But I do wish that you would hold the “neighborhood” Crime Task Force at a time when I and my neighbors can attend, and not during neighborhood meetings, which presents a direct conflict.

So, please do enjoy your dinners out at my expense, but cut the nonsense, and hold these important, criticle “Neighborhood” Crime Task Force meetings at a time when the neighbors can attend.

Cheers!Kathy"

Below is the letter I submitted to my neighborhood list serve, please do comment as you like.

Hi folks, in case you were hoping the police update at tomorrow's CNA meeting would include an update on when the next meeting of the Neighborhood Crime Task Force would be held, and if it would be at a time and place convenient so
Cambridge residents and neighbors who work could attend, Mayor Ken Reeves and the City Manager have schedualled it in direct conflict with various neighborhood meetings, and in conflict with the Cambridge Commission for Persons With Disabilities meeting!!

The "Crime Task Force" meeting is schedualled for Thursday, April 12, at 6:30pm at City Hall Annex.

Residents, neighbors, and PWDs interested in hearing Myra Berloff from Mass Office of Disabilities, guest speaker, will not be able to be in two places at one time.

Is the Mayor or the City Manager out so out of touch with
the neighborhoods, and PWDs, that they do not know when the neighborhood associations hold their meetings? Or is this just an in your face reaction to our continued support for this committee being open to the public?

take care
Kathy

City Council in Brief

2007-04-09T23:56:00.000-05:00

City Council meeting was well attended with a multitude of speakers, and lasted for hours and hours, not breaking up intil midnight, as your favotite councillors pontificated on one issue after another. Many who had signed up to speak went home without speaking as the hours draged by.

Councillors waffled on the dogs, grass and medalion issues at Fresh Pond, one point that caught the attention was the enforcement and issuing of medalions before the City Council had voted/approved the program. city solicitor took the side of the Water Department.

Policy Order re Opposition to Urban Ring Phase II did not succeed, in spite of an excellently writen policy order by Craig Kelley, and impassioned speakers, and a letter to the editor at the Cambridge Chronicle supporting the order. Henrietta Davis tabled it, so it will be on the agenda until it is removed. Anyone who wishes can speak on this at the next Council meeting.

Policy Order supporting the UN Convention on Disability Rights passed. Yea!! As founder for Citizens for Feasible Compliance I wish to thank Craig Kelley for the effort and research he put into this order, and which resulted in raising awareness.

(oops, where did my colour go??)

The Cioty Managers Item #3 re response to request for info re the City's snow clearing efforts after the Valentine Day storm was not tabled, but placed on file. There was some discussion on this, and comments that more needs to be done. That is an understatement, and the same old rhetoric!! Enough is enough!

All the City Councillors were still in their seats at midnight, a record I am sure!!

Snow Job by Cambridge City Manager Healy In City Council Tonight!!

2007-04-09T11:37:00.000-05:00

Seniors and people with disabilities, PWDs, who have mobility disabilities, have a difficult time getting around on the best of days. Snow and ice, when not removed, cleared or treated, create a barrier that threatens the safety of those with mobility disabilities. The photo above shows a man using a cane in each hand approaching an crosswalk on an icy sidewalk. he was just standing there, slightly bent over, and wondering what to do, because the curb ramp and cross walk were still covered with snow, and iced over.

The photo above shows that my service dog, Shannon, has stopped because the curb ramp at the street level, is covered with snow and iced over, even though the abutter has cleared snow from the sidewalk leading to the cross walk. The City must keep accessible routes clear of snow, and State Law requires the City to remove snow from public ways. That means sidewalks as well as streets. Here the street is icy too.
Above is a photo of the Bus Stop on Mass Ave in front of the City Wide Senior Center. Please observe that the snow has been cleared inside the sheltered bus stop, but not from the accessible route from the bus shelter to the curb where seniors and PWDs board the bus. This failure to clear the snow creates a barrier to PWDs trying to access transportation to and from the Senior Center, the Post Office, and City Hall right across the street.

The photos above and below show how the City plows snow into cross walks and curb ramps. Each photo shows that the abuttors have cleared snow from the sidewalks and curb ramps abutting their property, but the City has plowed snow from the street into the cross walks and curb ramps. Please do take note of the impression of the snow plow blade on the huge pile of snow. This results in a senior or a PWD not being able to equally enjoy the services the City provides, the sidewalks, because the pile of snow pushed into the curb ramp creates a barrier to access.

Below is a photo of snow 6-7" deep still not cleared from the sidewalk of a senior PWD on the City's Snow Exemption Program (CSEP). It is the City's responsibility to shovel snow from this sidewalk, and all other sidewalks of homeowners on the CSEP. As you can see the snow prevents the gate from being opened, and the PWD is totally blocked by the snow.

Will the City come and shovel the snow? Wanna bet on it?

As you can see in the photo above, the City did not shovel the snow at all, they dumped a shi* load of salt on top of the 6-7" of snow without removing the snow first. The salt didnt melt the snow, because the sidewalk is on the north side of the house and gets no warm afternoon sun. The heavy deep salt laden snow in the photo above is a barrier that folks with mobility disabilities cannot negotiate. Folks who are blind and use canes cannot shing their cane thru this snow, and if you look at the photo below, a closeup of the amount of salt and depth of snow, PWDs using service dogs, guide dogs, cannot walk here with their dogs, because the amount of soaking wet salt gets into the sensitive pads of the dogs feet, burning them, and causing the service dog, guide dog to limp.

Above is a view of the parking area behind City Hall. This is also the "handicapped" entrance, and the emergency egress to the building. The City owns this property, it is not a public way. As ypu can see the parking spaces for the cars on the left have been cleared of snow, and the accessible route into the building has also been cleared of snow, but the accessible HP parking space on the right continues to remain blocked by snow.
Above is a photo taken on Franklin Street showing how the City plowed snow out of a parking space reserved for delivery vehicles. They pushed the snow right up against the rear of the HP space. They did not clear snow from the HP space. They did stop short of plowing the snow into this HP space.
More photos from Franklin St shows a dedicated HP space with snow plowed into it. Above shows the whole space as one would drive by, and below how it looks if a PWD with a HP plate of plackard would try to access this HP space. As you can see it would be impossible to park here as the HP space is filled with huge piles of snow. This series of photos shows how the City does clear some spaces, but not HP spaces, and even plowes snow into HP spaces. This outrageous discrimination continues despite dozens of complaints, and two years after I filed a MCAD complaint against the City of Cambridge for failing to clear snow and denying access to PWDs during the winter.

I would like to point out that the City managers report In City Council re snow clearance after the Feb 14th snow storm is unacceptable, and fails to include any evidence that supports his disingenuous claims. In fact his report does not include and ststement from the Camb Commission for Persons With Disabilities, who discussed the City's failure to clear snow even 5 days after the storm. It also does not include any statement from Susan pachico who is the director at the Senior Center who oversees the City's Snow Exemption Program.

These photos are just some of the dozens of photos I took to document the City of Cambridge's failure to clear snow, and continues violations of the civil rights of PWDs.

Who wouldn't be outraged??????

Veneer of Civility

2007-03-31T12:13:00.000-05:00

Recently the debate about continued censorship of submissions to the list serve of the Cambridgeport Neighborhood Association has heated up again, after a rash of posts were refused, and one lovely and well respected lady was coerced into apologising for stating her (very polite) opinion about development in lower Cambridgeport.

Several of my posts have been rejected, and I have often been called a liar in so many words by none other that the President of the CNA as well as other CNA board members, and then not allowed to respond with documented evidence of facts supporting my submissions, therby allowing list serve members to be mis informed at the whim of the list serve moderators and CVA board.

Board members reqularly talk trash, make false accusations, and even call people "paraniod" etc, when views and opinions posted differ from their own, and allow other list serve members to bash those with different opinions, even when it breaks the rules. The Board then attempts to instruct others on "civil discourse" and how to be a "good neighbor."

Recently I had to inform the president of the CNA that if my submission was not posted I would post it on my blog, send it a a letter to the editor to the Chronicle and post it in Dana Park. After a standoff, my submission was posted.

A board member, who moderates the list serve recently posted this re censorship on the CNA list serve in response to many, and I repete many complaints of censorship of ideas under the guise of breaking the rules...

I would not characterize what the moderators of this list are doing as censorship. But if that's the word some would like to use, so be it.
The only motivation of rejecting certain posts is to conform with the purpose of this list is as stated on the home page: "This group is designed to be a forum for issues related to the Cambridgeport Neighborhood. Issues of note include
development, community meetings and/or events, crime alerts, etc."That shouldn't be confusing. It is a forum to share information pertinent to the neighborhood, and to discuss in a civil manner those issues.
The list must not serve as a forum where individuals are insulted. If that is how a member decides to write
in a posting, that post may be rejected.
Marco Werman

Here is my most recent submission, and which breaks no rules. It has not been posted, even though many others submitted after I submitted mine were posted. Now, why would this be? When the list serve announced it would delay posting submissions to make sure the one per day limit was observed, it promised no censorship. Now many posts are censored, and for no way for list serve mambers to see just what is not allowed. In fact, my most recent submission discusses, in a most civil way, the dangers of censorship in a democracy.

The Veneer Of Civility

Date: Fri, 30 Mar 2007 08:46:48 -0700 (PDT)
From: Kathryn Podgers kathypodgers@yahoo.com
Subject: Veneer of Civility
To: cportneighbors@yahoogroups.com

Hi Folks, genuine civility being rare, some adopt a veneer of civility to promote their adgenda, even to the detriment or the community. Surely, there must be a forum, in a democracy, where the open exchamge of ideas is not only "permitted" but welcome. Free Speech is not the issue, the issue is self government. Not exclusive cliques excluding others by invoking arcane "rules" under a veneer of civility, which hides the basest of all human weakness, the notion that "I am your better, because I have a better education, more money, bigger car, more esteemed title." And excluding others using the veneer of civility in group settings by projecting onto others, that they are not really welcome, because they are inferior to the civilized elite.

Objections to abuses delivered by this sham include claiming one is not "behaving" and calling the police to remove the "violent" individual. We saw this during the civil rights movement of the 50's and 60's, and we saw this when our neighbor, Eli Yarden was falsly accused of not speaking to an adgenda item, when in fact he was. Under the colour of law, to enforce the "rules" and preserve the veneer of civility, the mayor of our City, with the reporters all watching, and even the invited school children enthralled by this improbable action, called the police to remove the offender, an 83 year old man, who had broken no rules, was speaking on an agenda item, and, unlike many of the City Councillors, who remained covered by their thin veil of the Veneer of Civility, knew what the adgenda item was about and was articulating his educated opinion acording to the rules.

One cannot expect to wear the veil if one also wants to remain silent when vile acts are perpetrated publically. To remain silent in the face of oppression of an individual in the public areana, makes one a silent partner of the oppressors, and lends support to this form of use of force to perpetrate a crime against civil discourse, a crime against humanity, and human sensibilities.

One cannot remain silent when another uses the veneer of civility under the colour of law to violate our most hard one liberties.

Here in CNA group, some of those who cry foul the loudest, how invoke the veil against others, are often the worst attackers when they wish to be. So, we also get to see "the pot call the kettle black."

Much has been writen about the veneer of civility, and the best is probablly the Eisenhower paper re Civil Rights. The worst abuser in my life was probabally McCarthy, who destroyed the lives of many good people, before the rest of congress finally overcame the gag of the veneer of civility and put an end to the witch hunt. below, please find a definition, and a section of a collegiate paper discussing this issue.

Take care
Kathy

The VENEER OF CIVILITY...a definition and an interesting discussion...

http://encarta.msn.com/dictionary_/veneer.html

Civility
"We have avoided fighting and discourtesy.

We have kept up a facade of good manners at the cost of not accomplishing much."

A frequently cited reason for communication difficulties is the veneer of civility that pervades faculty interactions. Faculty often appear unwilling to pursue issues that may be divisive or provoke debate. Unpleasantness is avoided at all costs.

Unfortunately, as several of those interviewed stated, this often means that the most crucial issues facing the department are never discussed. One faculty member, explaining why the department had not made changes in the curriculum in 20 years, said, "I think we are afraid to look at it [the curriculum] because of the big fights over what should be required."

Another professor noted, "By not discussing departmental policy we don't disagree too much - on the surface." Relations may seem calm, but this calm is achieved at the expense of common purpose and community.

http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G1-15612840.html

All but one present and accounted for! Cambridge City Council learns to obey Open Meeting law?

2007-03-22T19:40:00.000-05:00

Once again I arrive at City Hall to find a vehicle illegally parked and blocking access both the the emergency egress to City Hall during a schedualled meeting, but also blocking the accessible route and dedicated HP space. click on the photo for a large view and see the Traffic and parking supervisor in the window looking at me, even as I photograph the car. Below is the supervisor, who identified himself to me as Paul Doyle. he responded to my question of why he didn't ticket the car that was illegally parked by ststing that he disagreed with me that it was illegally parked, blocking the emergency egress, the accissible route and the Accissible HP space, because he observed, "people can walk around the car so it is not illegal, it is not blocking anything." The cambridge Police later told me the police do not have jurisdiction over the parling at City Hall, because it is "private property!" LOL I sent an email question about this to Michael Muehe, and I am still awaiting a reply. (Don't worry, I won't hold my breath.) BTW, by law the State Police do have jurisdiction over State Property.
Below is a photo of three City Councillors in attendence at the march 19th City Council meeting. Craig Kelley, Anthony galluchio and Michael sullivan are usually present at the start of City council meetings. The empty seat belongs to Marjorie Decker, who, usually is not in her seat at the beginning of meetings.
Surprise, Surprise! In the photo below, all four City Councillors that sit by the windows were in their seats at the begining of the City Council meeting. Everyone commented on this, the public section was abuzz with this unusual appearance of our elected representivitives. We, those members of the public who came to speak, and be heard by the City Council before they vote on matters before them, we were treated to a special and surprising treat. These four city councillors were actually present and accounted for at the meeting and for public comment! This is very unusual, as, like Marjorie Decker, these four, Vice Mayor, and State Rep Tim Toomey, Denice Simmons, Henrietta Davis and Brian Murphy are usually absent for public comment.
Below is the Mayor, and master of ceremonies, Ken Reeves. he was unusually subdued, and stated that everyone had to obey the rules. The Cambridge Chronicle had documented the failure of the City Council to obey it's own rules, and the state of Mass Open Meeting Law. I am wondering if some secret admonishment was handed down by the State, requesting the Cambridge City Council to please, if you don't mind, stop breaking the toothless law.
Whatever was the reason, it sure felt good to be speaking to actual City Councillors, Marjorie Decker excluded, and not to empty chairs. Even if they don't actually listen to us, and are busy updating their palm pilots, if feels different to see faces and bodies, that empty space.

City of Cambridge Plows Street Snow Onto Sidewalks

2007-03-18T12:25:00.000-05:00

This is the corner of Crp McTiernan at Pearl St. It makes a T. In the photo above you are looking down McTiernan Street toward a large pile of snow that the plow pushed down Cp McTiernan St, across Pearl St, and onto the sidewalk. Of course, it takes up a parking space as well. In the photo below you can see the impression of the plow blades on the heaps of snow.

The photo below shows what happens when this much snow is pushed into a parking space and onto the sidewalk. This is the backside of the piles of snow. You can see how the snow falls and slides down onto the sidewalk. What on earth is the City thinking? Abbuttors are required by the City to shovel their sidewalks shortly after the snow stopps falling. However, are the abuttors expected to shovel heavy street snow, too? This is an outrage! The result of this poor practice is some abuttors are actually shoveling snow from the streets. This pile is so huge it won't melt for a long time!

Cambridge City Clerk Posts Notice of Public Meeting of Special Task Force on Neighborhood Safety that Mayor Ken Reeves Had Opposed

2007-03-02T15:55:00.000-05:00

The photo above shows the glassed case where official notices are posted by the City Clerk. You can see several notices on white paper attached to the brown cork backing and enclosed by glass. Most of these notices cannot be read by PWDs because the case is so high up from the floor.

The photo below is of the Notice of the first(?) meeting of the "Special Task Force on Neighborhood Safety" that was created in response to a Policy Order by the City Council on August 2, 2006. You can click on this to make it larger, and easier to read. Please notice the time stamp by the City Clerk.

The meeting will be held in Sullivan Chamber in City Hall on March 5th, from 11am to 1pm. I do not know if public commentary will be allowed, nor do I know if the meeting will be televised. Public Meeting Law allows for taping of meetings open to the public.

Councillor Denise Simmons has asked, through a second Policy Order In City Council of Feb 5th, that these meetings include more members of the public, be held at a time when the public can attend, and that there be an independent note taker. However, although the order was adopted, a week later, with only Councillor Marjorie Decker and Anthony Galluchio objecting and the Mayor Ken Reeves, who had previously Charter Righted the order, abstaining, there was an attempt by the Mayor to hold this meeting in secret, in his private office. Members of the public objected, wrote emails and letters and memorandum, and the Chronicle, the Bridge and bloggers reported on this blatent attempt to subvert public process and in defiance of Open Meeting Law, resulting in the secret meeting being cancelled at the last minuite.

Disabled

2007-03-01T18:54:00.000-05:00

Here is an automatic door opener. It is a flat round metal disk aprox 6" wide and has a blue stencil of the unvirsal symbol a person in a wheelchair. When I push it it should open the accessible door to City Hall. However, it often is not working! Is it broken? Or has someone forgotten to turn it on? Or has someone turned it off early? Above photo taken on Feb 8, 2007. In the past 3 weeks I have gone to City Hall 4 times, and 3 times the auto door opener was nor working. Is it disabled? Above photo taken Feb 13, 2007. Photo below taken Feb 26, 2007.

Bob Woodruff Reports on Iraq Vets with Traumatic Brain Injury

2007-02-28T12:20:00.000-05:00

Yesterday Bob Woodruff was interviewed by Oprah, and gave a report, a documentary called "To Iraq and Back, at 10pm on ABC. Just over a year ago, Bob was chosen to co-anchor "World News Tonight" less than a month before he went to Iraq. Imbedded with the 4th Infantry Division, Bob was "injured" when an improvised explosive device, IED, struck their armored personnel carrier north of Taji during a combined operation of Iraqi Army and Coalition Forces.

While "the media" dutifully reports on the numbers of war dead, the true toll of the war is shunted aside. Partly due to state of the art battlefield emergency treatment, war wounded survive in numbers not seen in previous wars. Is the number of those returning war vets acurately reported? What is the nature of their "disabilities?" Is Bob Woodruff a good example of the recovery we can expect for war vets injured in the Iraq war? These and other questions were raised by Bob in his documentary.

The film notes that the Department of Defense puts
the number of men and women wounded in Iraq and
Afghanistan at about 23,000, while the Department
of Veterans Affairs has recorded treating more than
200,000 veterans of those two wars. Paul Sullivan, the
director of programs at the advocacy group Veterans
for America, says, "What you have are two sets of books.
"Mr. Woodruff politely asks the secretary of veterans
affairs, R. James Nicholson, to explain the discrepancy.
Citing department reports that list 73,000 mental
disorders, 61,000 diseases of the nervous system and
others, Mr. Woodruff says, "These are huge numbers
beyond the 23,000."
Mr. Nicholson, a Vietnam veteran and a former
chairman of the Republican National Committee,
replies, "A lot of them come in for dental problems."

Bob notes that Traumatic Brain Injury, TBI, which is what he suffered from the blast, is not on the list of "injuries" and questions how many Iraq vets have TBI. Listening to the symptoms I began to wonder how many vets suffered a milder form of TBI due to being hit in an arm or leg, losing the arm, and later the TBI being misdiagnosed as PTSD or some kind of mental illness. The film revealed that it is highly possible, more than likely that 150 thousand Iraq war vets have suffered TBI. Bob has teamed up with the Brain Injury Association of America as their "Poster Boy." I am hoping, however, now that Bob has joined the ranks of People With Disabilities, PWDs, he will go beyond the image, and take the lead in helping Americans understand that when a person becomes a PWD s/he shouldn't lose his or her Civil Rights.

The shocking expose of our failure to "support" our troops should bring folks to action. After all, it is so much cheaper to "treat" a veteran dxed with PTSD or "mental illness," (give them a prescription and send them home,) than to take the time to dx TBI and then provide the appropiate rehab.

Are we shortchanging our vets?

Do PWDs have a right to a correct diagnosis?

2007-02-21T11:06:00.000-05:00

2007-02-20T12:05:00.000-05:00

Here is a great opportunity for folks with disabilities to apply fpr training so they can become active in the policy making process of state and local government. PWD's make up 20% of the population over 5yrs old, yet 70% of PWD's who want to work cannot find suitable employment.

From Enough Room we have......

""Below is an article from the weekly local paper in Cambridge MA about an effort to help minorities participate in elections, and run for office. The program is for 16 weeks on Mondays beginning on April 2, 2007. The deadline to apply is March 5, 2007. Avi Green agreed to be the contact person for persons with disabilities.His email is agreen@massvote.orghis phone is (617) 542-8683""

From the Cambridge Chronicle we have......

""Negretti is hoping to change the political landscape in greater Boston. Oiste?, MassVote and Suffolk University have teamed up to offer a 16-week, intensive crash course for minorities looking to enter politics. The course is expected to teach everything from political training to networking. Negretti hopes to offer the class twice a year starting next year. The application process for the class is likely to be selective; Negretti has already received 40 inquiries about the class, and there are only about 25 slots available.""

Cambridge Continues to Allow Uncleared Snow to Block Access to Sidewalks

2007-02-19T10:18:00.000-05:00

The City of Cambridge has chosen the local option of assigning snow removal from sidewalks and curb ramps to abuters. However, the City fails to employ effective enforcement. Of the hundreds of properties that failed to clear snow from the sidewalks abutting their properties I have chosen the following three of the worst offenders. These three all on corners of busy pedestrian ways, illustrate the problem well. Property owners are required to clear a path 36" wide, on the sidewalks abbuting their properties. That means that folks on a corner must do sidewalks on both sides of their properties, as well as the curb ramps.

301 Brookline St at the Corner of Chestnut St.

180 Magazine St at Glenwood Ave.

156 Pearl St at Valentine St.

Happy Chinese New Year!

2007-02-17T18:34:00.000-05:00

In China it is New Years Eve! Some would say Spring Festival. This is a fun family time, with great food and other traditions. This year it is the Year Of The Pig, so I thought this photo would be appropiate!

The photo is a cute plastic pink pig, with white wings! he has black feet and tiny black eyes. he is suspended from the ceiling at the Copy Center, and is as cute as he can be! Hey, hey, hey! This year Pigs Fly!

City of Cambridge Plows Snow Into MBTA Bus Stops Blocking Access

2007-02-15T12:40:00.000-05:00

Yesterday I observed the City's contractor plow snow INTO the MBTA bus stop, even as I motioned to him it was a bus stop, and shouted to him to plow the snow OUT of the bus stop. There was a plow and additional vehicles leading and monitoring the plow's work.

The photo above, shows my service dog wondering how she will get me onto the bus, as we wait at the MBTA bus stop on brookline St at Granite. Below, the long shot of the MBTA bus stop shows the treated street snow piled up in the MBTA bus stop, effectively preventing any but a snow goat from getting across and into the bus. The bus cannot be curbed, so the wheelchair ramp will be useless. This stop is in the middle of a long sidewalk, and one cannot quickly walk around to the corner and back to the bus. This part of Brookline Street has been turned into a highway of sorts, a-la urban ring, so folks risk their lives if they stand in the street to wait for the bus.

The City must instruct the plows to slow down, and plow the snow out of the MBTA bus stops, not into them. Perhaps this indentation design for bus stops is not a good idea anyway!

Cambridge Mayor Ken Reeves to Conveign Neighborhood Safety Committee Meeting in Star Chamber?

2007-02-13T11:44:00.000-05:00

After much spoken, writen and public testimony from residents from several Cambridge neighborhoods, the City Council ordered In City Council on Aug 2, 2006, a "special committee or task force be formed" to address the unchecked violence and crime. I myself sent a letter outlining my views on how to deal with these problems.

However, in spite of many neighbors complaints, and testimony In City Council last week, neither the Mayor nor the City Manager has appointed enough representitives from neighborhoods on "the peoples committee," therefore another order was submitted In City Council last week. Mayor Ken Reeves "Charter Righted" the order, therefore it was o the agenda again this week, and I testified In City Council last night that Persons With Disabilities should be represented on this committee, and were not. I pointed out seniors and PWD's did not have their reports of crime taken seriously.

Mayor Ken Reeves accused Councillor Simmons of being influenced by an editorial by the Cambridge Chronicle. She denied it. Last evening, during discussion, Councillor Simmons said, "This is not the City Manager's Committee. It is not the Mayor's Committee. It is the City Council's committee."

Will the meeting scheduled for Wednesday Feb. 14, 2007 will violate the Open Meetings law unless it is open to the public and a notice is posted outside of the clerk's office? I have asked the City Clerk for clarification on this, and am awaiting a reply. Meanwhile, this questionably accessible route to the office of Mayor Ken Reeves looks like a slipery slope on the way to STAR CHAMBER politics to me.

MBTA bus driver from "xxxx"

2007-02-10T07:08:00.000-05:00

Returning home on Thursday Feb 8, as I entered bus #2272, at Central Sq bus stop on Mass Ave at Pearl, route 47, in Cambridge MA at 10:50pm, the bus driver hit me with a stream of verbal abuse. She demanded I tell her is the elderly gentlemen, who had been sitting in the freezing cold wailting over 1/2 hour for the bus, was "drunk." How would I know? I responded. I'm not gonna let him on the bus, look at him, he's been drinking!

I looked at the elderly man as he struggled to his feet, and hobbled toward the bus. Another passenger assisted him on, as the bus driver ordered him off the bus and called the police, as I steped forward to take his arm. What she told me when I informed her he was having trouble walking because he was old and stiff from waiting for so long, was she wasn't letting him on because he might fall and sue the MBTA! (there was no liquer on his breath)

Together the other passenger and I helped him to a seat. The bus driver screashed at me not to assist him in any way and to get off the bus. Another passenger said, "We don't have time for this, I have to get to work."

The bus driver was pouring lies into the phone which we all thought she was talking to the police. And screeching at the elderly gentleman to get off the bus. So I called the non emergency number of Cambridge Police, and asked to be put thru to MBTA police. They did NOT put me thru to MBTA police. They kept asking what is the emergency. Hello? First I didn't call the emergency number. Second, we have the verbal abuse and refusal of service by a bus driver that is, while I am speaking, calling in a false (police) report!! Third, It actually is an emergency if she puts him off, after he has been sitting in freezing cold waiting for the bus. Next bus isn't for another 45 min!

Can you say Human Rights Abuse??

So, the police informed me they were on the way, but the bus driver took off, after she ejected the elderly gentleman.

Then she refused to let me off at my stop! I was on the phone with the police again. She screeched at me, "This isn't your stop and I am not letting you off here. I know you, and this is not your stop!" I demended she open the doors, at Lawrence St, and put on the announcement. she refused to open the doors, even though she had stopped at Lawrence St, and drove down to Erie St. I had to walk all the way back to Lawrence St. Thank goodness I have a service dog to help me, unlike that elderly gentleman!

What kind of "service" is this?

Will City of Cambridge Move City Council Meetings to the Morse School Auditorium Due to Ban on Service Dogs??

2007-02-07T20:16:00.000-05:00

Hi Folks, due to so many rumors about the City banning guidedogs for the blind at City Coumcil Meetings, I am writing this update.

I recieved a letter from the City Manager stating that he had been advised that Councillor Decker had informed Mayor Ken Reeves that the presence of my "dog" "exacerbated" her allergies, and that the "City," after analizing her request to ban my "dog" from City Council meetings, has decided to exclude my "dog" from City Council meetings.

My "dog" is a service dog, and by law, the City must modify its policies to allow a person with a disability to be accompianied by their service dog wherever other members of the public are allowed. More than a year ago, Councillor Decker, Mayor Reeves, and the City Manager, as well as all the other City Councillors, except Kelley, have recieved from me in writing what my disability is, and how the dog is used to help me with my disability.

Councillor Decker's request to exclude my dog from City Council was first made as an assault during the business part of the public City Council Meeting on Oct 30, 2006. This assault, and the following coercian, threats of use of force, calls to animal control to confiscate my "dog", intimidation, went on for 19 min.

The City has edited the video tape. However, members of the public have recorded the action on their own recorders.

I filed a discrimination complaint with MCAD against the cioty, and the city has provided a response. The City's response to my complaint includes affidavits of the named violators, and the City's "position" or defence, if you will.

The City of Cambridge, in its response back to me, is claiming that.....

the presence of the dog is a health hazard like the presence of cigarrette smoke.

If I lose my MCAD complaint the City will ban dogs from Sullivan Chambers, during City Council Meertings due to Councillor Deckers allergies.

This will mean that guide dogs for the blind will also be excluded, because their argument is that the presence of the dog poses a threat th Councillor Decker's health, just like the presence of cigarrette smoke.
Sullivan Chamber is not a small room. If the meeting were held in a small room, then it would be possible for Councillor Decker to reguest a reasonable accomodation and have the meeting moved to a large room. for example, the meeting room at Woodrow wilson is a small room, as is the room on the second floor of the Sr Center.

However, Sullivan Chamber is a very large room, aprox 45' wide, 50' long and 26-30' high. If this room is too small, and has poor ventilation, then the City mayu be required to move the City Council meetings to a more accessible space, one with better ventilation, such as the Auditorium at the Morse School.

Today, when I was at the Mayor's Office, the Mayor's staff informed me that Mayor Reeves, and the City were not going to ban service dogs, including guide dogs for the blind from City Council meetings. However, she did not know about the letter sent to me by the City Manager, nor the City's position on the presence of "dogs" in public meetings.
Another thing you may not have been told, is that on Oct 16th, City Council staff asked me to sit in the back far side of the public area because councillor Decker had not taking her allergy meds due to an appointment with her dr to due allergy testing the following day. I immediately agreed, and moved right away. And when I arrived on Oct 30th, I immediately went to the back far side without being asked.

I find it incomprehensible that Councillor Decker and Mayor Ken Reeves would make a public statement implying that I had not shown her any consideration.

The purpose of this is to clarify the facts re the issue of the City's attempt to ban service dogs and guide dogs from City Council meetings. They are trying to do this, and I have it in writing, and I am fighting against it. however, i am poor, and with no money, cannot afford an attorney. So, I very well may lose, and then a very unfortunate president will be set.

The Ari Fund for VetDogs

2007-02-04T12:07:00.000-05:00

Ari Schiff is making a difference with a selfless effort to raise money in support of disabled vets who need a service dog. He has been interviewed by news media including the Chichago Tribune, and folks across America are getting the news out.

Ari is only 17 now, but he was impressed with the story of a Marine he met last summer. When he asked the marine how he could help, the Marine responded make a donation to the Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind which runs a program called VetDog which paies a service dog with a disabled vet. These institution trained dogs are expensive, and in this case are $30,000.

"Ari wants to make a difference in the life of just one veteran. He wants that veteran to know that America is grateful for his or her service and to do that, Ari needs to raise $30,000.

I cannot image what it would be like to lose your sight, your arms, use of your legs, or any of the other horrific tragedies too many of our veterans who need service animals have quietly borne for us in service of our country" quoted from Brad Thor, author, as posted on amazon.com

Here is a quote from Anne L. Molinarolo in response to Brad Thor's comment on Amazon.com. "Mr. Thor has sealed the deal-he has both a reader and a puchaser of ALL of his books-with his story of Ari and his quest to help this Marine. I challenge all of Mr. Thor's readers to match his donation. If you can't, give what you can! Brad Thor is not only a talented writer, he is a kindhearted Patriot. "

Please watch this spot for updates!!

Ari has requested that ...
Please make out your checks to "The Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind," and in the memo section, if you could write the "Ari Fund for VetDogs," that would be great. You can send those checks to:
Ari Schiff
c/o Cary G. Schiff and Associates
134 N. LaSalle Suite 1135 Chicago, IL 60602

Here is the article:
ARI SCHIFF, 17, is a typical middle-class teen. His cell phone offers a weird greeting. He enjoys the outdoors. He's thinking about college. But the Lincolnwood resident has an atypical goal: He wants to raise $30,000 to help a wounded American vet.It began last August when he met a U.S. Marine captain on a Colorado rafting trip and they began talking about Iraq. The captain was recovering from a wound that had put him into a coma. He had also just attended the funeral for one of his men.
"I'd been looking for a charity to raise money for," says Schiff, a junior at Chicago's Francis W. Parker School. "I asked him if he knew any that benefit soldiers. He recommended the Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind."The foundation runs a program called VetDog, which provides service dogs to disabled vets. Not just those who have lost their vision in battle, but those who are missing limbs. The dogs fetch things, provide balance and support, alert others in an emergency and give companionship to someone fighting psychological issues. The problem: Each dog and its training costs $30,000."My aim is to sponsor one dog and one vet," says Ari, who'd like to attend the U.S. Naval Academy. "I love dogs and have great respect for soldiers, and I thought this project would combine the best of both worlds."So far, he's raised only $1,500, mostly by hitting up teachers and friends. He intends to go door to door in his neighborhood next. But to reach his 30K goal, he will need a lot of help. An appearance on two radio shows yielded only one donation. Here's a chance to show that print beats radio. Contact Ari at ads7250@aol.com. and offer your money or time.It's one feel-good way to start 2007.

Congratulations Ari, on your committment and vision!

Cambridge Police Permit Illegal Use of MBTA Bus Stop As Loading Dock

2007-02-03T19:39:00.000-05:00

Photo above shows a UPS driver parked in the MBTA bus stop on Mass Ave outbound at Prospect, Central Sq, in Cambridge MA. He has several 2 foot by 2 foot boxes on the street, and a 4 foot dolly blocking the use of the bus stop by MBTA busses. The loading zone in front of the bus is being used by the cambridge police. They were not "on a job."

Round two, this photo shows the UPS driver has returned from delivering those large boxes, and is loading the dolly with more packages for another delivery to be made across the street.Both the truck and the loading area blocked the bus stop for the 1/2 hour that I watched. No busses were able to drive into the bus stop, and curb, so passengers could use the new million dollar feature, low floors so people with disabilities and seniors can board the bus.

When the bus stop is blocked by illegal use, such as parked, standing, loading vehicles, the bus cannot pull into the bus stop. In this photo, please see how it remains well into the street, blocking both the single travel lane as well as the bike lane. The MBTA agreed to settle a suit brought by BCIL, and has promised to stop discriminating based on disability. They have promised to curb the bus so seniors and PWD's can take advantage of these accessible busses. however, when the bus cannot enter the bus stop, they cannot curb the bus. Passengers must board while standing in the street. Transportation is a fundamental right, and the MBTA must provide service to PWD's, however, they need, and have asked for cooperation in keeping the bus stops free from illegal use. The Cambridge Police, however, have repetedly refused to enforce the law. One police officer identified himself as "officer friendly" and another "informed" me that he had thew "discretion" to decide how the bus stop should be used.

Above see one of the police cruisers, using the loading zoan. These officers refused my request to enforce the law, and told me he would drive around, and when he came back if the truck was still using the bus stop as a loading platform he would ask him to move. Gee, isn't that just another way of saying, it's OK with me if he uses the bus stop as a loading platform? I do not know how long the UPS truck was there. I came upon this illegal opperation at 1:30pm, and it continued until 2pm, even though I asked several police officers to put a stop to it.

Why are the laws not enforced? Why should the single lane of traffic, the bike lane and the bus stop be blocked like this? Why do the police believe they have a "right" to give "permission" to UPS to use the bus stop as a loading zoan? What does "no standing" mean, anyway?

All Quiet On The Charles?

2007-01-31T16:51:00.000-05:00

Turner Broadcasting Agrees to 2 Million Settlement for Interference marketing stunt that resulted in a widespresd bomb scare. Boston, Cambridge and Somervile were directly affected, as well as major transportation systems, preventing folks from accessing needed medical care. Boston is a hub for several major hospitals. The announcement was caried on local TV less than an hour ago. Mayor Ken Reeves spoke, but was cut off when the networks returned to local programing. Mayor Reeves started saying he believed in public safety. That is all well and good, but he should look to the multiple unaddressed safety violations the City is responsibe for, and get to work on resolving them, instead of "permitting" the City's in house law firm to fight against compliance with Mass State Safety Standards.

Packages found under bridges in greater Boston were deemed a hoax, sometime after Coast Guard closed the Charles to boating. In a twist of common sense, Turner brodcasting has released a statement which was read over the NBC TV news, taking responsibility and claiming similar "bilboards" were placed in other cities around the nation. Folks were upset that a major corporation could be behind such a questionable stunt. Each violation can result in 2-5 years.

Stay tuned...

They Shoot Horses, Don't They?

2007-01-30T13:39:00.000-05:00

Barbaro: Not a Leg To Stand On!

I am posting this today, to hold a spot, on this date, for myself, and others to post thoughts about this subject. hum. I wonder just what this subject is? Something I believe we need to explore.

Last week I saw the film, Seabuisquit, oops, mispelled... The difference between the injuries had huge difference in results. One recovered, and the other didn't.

Then, the issue of social justice which was tied to horses being put out of their misery long ago in the film "They Shoot Horses, Don't They?" comes to ming.

And there are other films, based on books about horses that explore, if in a side way clance, the issue of disability and social justice. Can you guess what book, film I am hinting at? Black Beauty.

Of course, there are many more. Here I am inviting everyone to contribute and horse stories that you believe to be linked to disability issues the disability community is facing today.

Please....be my guest...

Don't Fence Me In - Don't Fence Me Out

2007-01-30T10:34:00.000-05:00

Furnace stopped during the night, and the tempreture dropped to 51 degrees. Shannon got me up early, and I went to work adding water to the boiler so the heat woild come on again. I wondered how my friends who use wheelchairs could handle this? If I were unable to get down into the basement, I would have to call for help. perhaps I could make an arrangement with one of my neighbours. We all need a helping hand once in a while. Even my neighbours need help whith feeding their cats when they go on vacation.

Montel is speaking on the Rachael Ray show right now, about his disability, and the attitudes he has seen people direct at others. Montel has MS but is not using a wheelchair. He said every step he takes is painful. I can relate to that even though I do not have MS.

I take photos now. I used to be a painter, but now I am unable to tolerate the odor of the materials, and hold the tools. So, I have a jiffy little Cannon A80 digital camera, and soothe my creative spirtit by taking photos. I like to catch the light as it reveals the form. I like colour, and I love to be able to do this.

I wish someone who is blind could let me know if they can "read" my posts. I really do not know how accessible blogger is. I m ust confess that I have not done a good job describing my posted photos.

Above is a photo of a flower with petals that are long and noodle like. A verl light pink colour. The flower but reached through a chain link fence before it bloomed, and now, in full bloom, is caught in the fence. Trapped, with its head hanging over the sidewalk, but with its roots, stem and leaves still in the garden, behind the fence. For me, this demonstrates the beauty of the struggle for life. Reaching for the light, the sun, the warmth. Some might see this as a flaw, a problem, as in "Oh, my, that poor flower is trapped in the fence." What I see is adaptation. Persistance. My self.

Please folks, let me know what you "see."

The Birds and the Bees and the Medical Politics of Perfection

2007-01-27T21:25:00.000-05:00

I wanted to share my concern with you in response to several stories in the news, about the Ashley Treatment, and about bioengineering of "perfect" children. Abortions are actually being recommended for minor birthdefects. This "perfection on demand" attitude is spreading throughout the "civilized" world today. I wonder why this is?

Perhaps we no longer believe that a baby is a gift from God. Have we drifted into an arrogent vision of genetically engineered human life? Does a godless society believe that human worth is based on beauty?

One of my doctors has a club foot aquired after birth, as a result of Polio. After reading this article, several questions re the "New Ethics" arose in my mind. Is it ok to eliminate unborn babies who have club feet, but allow children who develop club feet as a result of disease or injury to live, go to school, and to even become doctors?

My brother's eldest child was born with a severe club foot. The doctor ordered a brace, and 24 hour home care performed by the parents. This treatment was so successful, that no one today could ever determine which foot was the club foot. My nephew played all sports, and served in the Air Force. My brother and his wife could not love him more.

What is it then, that causes some folks to believe it is better to abort that club foot baby, and try again for a "perfect" one?

I think, perhaps, it is the continued, and unaddressed "attitudes" we face in the community everyday. Making fun of others. Looking down on others. Demeaning, discouraging, and disincluding others who are considered not our equalls. Not Good Enough for us. It is our own feelings of inadequacy that alloows us to bully others, in an attempt to disasociate with those "undesireables" and to becole aligned with the "beautiful people." It is our fear, not their lack of worthiness, that is the real imperfection. We should be about perfecting ourselves, not our bodies. we should look to our heart, not to our "packaging."

One thing I have noticed is the confusion folks have over the Civil Rights Act of 1990. There seems to be a real disconnect with this Law. I hear many times folks tell me it means: "You must not treat disabled folks differently from other folks."

Huh? Somehow I think there is a major gap in criticle thinking skills here, if this is what folks believe.

I wish one could understand that what the Act, the ADA, requires Cities to do is to "identify" policies, practices, programs, activities, ordinances, etc, that discriminate against foplks with disabilities, and modify those policies, practices, programs, activities, ordinances, etc., so they no longer discriminate against PWDs.

It means we must identify barriers and remove barriers. So we don't handicap others whose abilities are different from ours.

It means there is nothing "wrong" with having a disability.

It means that PWDs have abilities, and need to go about their lives just like everyone else.

It means that to fail to identify barriers, and failure to remove barriers is to "handicap" PWDs so they have an unfair burdon, and are disadvantaged. It results in isolation, institutionalization, humilaition, shame, begging, poverty, lack of self esteem, etc, etc, etc.

Failure to identify and remove barriers is not only poor behavior, inhuman, and unethicle, it is also ILLEGAL!!

Perhaps someday we can abort babies who would grow up to alergic to bees, or peanuts? We could eliminate asthma this way, too? Maybe, we could develop sophisticated tests that would detect bad attitudes? We could then abort any potential bigot? Eliminate selfish, uncaring, self-centered folks from even blighting this earth.

Now that is one way to fight against this idea of inclusion!

Police arrest Disabled woman using guide dog in Cambridge MA

2007-01-22T23:38:00.000-05:00

Above is a photo of Officer Helberg who arrested me on May 14th, 2004 for entering CVS in Harvard Sq. with my service dog after notice. The police report stated that I had shown them a copy of the ADA service animal law, and "lectured" them on my civil rights, so, because the store shift supervisor didn't want the dog in the store "because it looks like a wolf and might bite someone" they arrested me when I entered toe store to finish my shopping.

This photo was taken on April 25th, 2006, in Central Sq. He said that if I tried to enter any store in Central Sq and the store owner didn't want the dog in there, if I didn't leave he would arrest me again. I asked him he he had recieved the training that Michael Muehe, the City's ADA coordinator claimed would "fix" this blatent discrimination against me based on my disability by "educating" the police about ADA law. That is public law 101-336. Officer helberg replied he hadn'r recieved any training about service dogs at all. then I informed him that the judge had dismissed the complaint against me, and I had filed a complaint against the City with MCAD. I also informed him the City had cut 1 1/2 min out of my 911 phone call. Here he is, right after I said that, scurring off, munbeling "I'm gonna check that out." I haven't heard from him since. I go into any store that other folks go into, accompianied by my servoice dog.

Today I found a link to a story in Florida on another PWD's blog. here is part of the e-mail I sent to the City Council, the ADA coordinator, the Mass Office on Disabiulity, the Office of the Attorney general, and, of course, my rep and senator.......

In Florida a person who deliberately interfers with a PWD accompianied by their guide dog is subject to arrest. The story explains the manager claimed he knew the law but "their" policy was to require alternative placement for "the dog."

In Florida, alternative placement for "the dog"is not allowed.

Meanwhile, in Cambridge Ma, the City threatens to arrest me again, and confiscate my service dog again!!! The City had demanded "alternative placement" for "the dog" and called it a "reasonable accomodation"!!!

The last time the City of Cambridge arrested me for being accompianied by my service animal in a public accomodation the judge dismissed the charges. Does the City really think it can keep threatening me with arrest for being accompanied by use of my service dog like this.

Public Law 101-336 states that the City is required to modify it's policies to allow a person with a disability as defined by the ADA to be accompianied by their service dog anywhere the public is allowed to go.

Why is the City of Cambridge allowed to continue to threaten me with arrest for being accompianied by my service animal?? The City's behavior is outrageous! (please see previous post, service dogs banned in cambridge City Council)

SHAME SHAME SHAME on all of you! (adressed to the officials) Why have you failed to protect the Civil Rights of PWD's as required by the Civil Rights Act of 1990?

In Florida the one who willfully violates the Civil Rights of PWD's is arrested; in Cambridge the person who's civil rights is violated is arrested.

Gee, I think we are miles apart on this issue.

Martin Luther King, Jr., a Voice We Need to Remember on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

2007-01-15T13:28:00.000-05:00

Today, Monday January 5, 2007, is the day set aside to reflect on the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr.

It seems to me he was a great visionary. He experienced the most offensive discrimination in his life time, and although he did not live to see all the positive changes we take for granted today, I am sure he "believed" in basic human goodness. He believed we would overcome all the ugliness, the denial, all the seperatness, all the stereotyping, all the uncomfortableness.

When I grew up in the 1940's and 1950's most folks I knew "talked" a good "game." Everyone is equal, don't discriminate, was the message delivered. Our revolutionay leaders, like Jefferson, and presidential "fathers" like Lincoln, were held up to us as example. Then, after "higher" education in the 60's, when we were confronted with the actuality of how our "honoured" leaders really behaved, and were confronted with how our "darker" classmates continued to suffer from discrimination, we were forced to take a stand.

Silence, back in the day, was considered supporting the statis quo of discrimination against people of colour.

I had several roomates, and often went to the "soda fountain" on Longwood Ave in Boston. But when I went with the one who was "coloured" we were ignored. It was as though we were not even there. No one said anything, and if we called out to the waitress for service it was as though we had no voice. My roomate would tug at my sleeve, and beg me to leave. She would hang her head, and plead with me "not to do this." So, always, I would acceed to her sensibilities.

Martin Luther King became the voice that could no longer be ignored.

Now, today, we see much progress, but there remains much that needs to be done. When my son, (Chinese surname with caucasian features) flies on a plane, he is always "randomly" pulled aside for a complete "body search." Folks on the "T" in Brookline casually inform me that the "T" has gone to the new Charlie Card, because there are fare cheaters in "Dorchester."

Worse, from my point of view, even those who identify themselves with the Civil Rights "Movement" today activly ignore the voices of another group who historically has experienced the most grievous discrimination. These Civil Rights activists even deny the fact that People With Disabilities even have Civil Rights. They "believe", mistakenly, that the Civil Rights Act of 1990, public law 101-336, otherwise known as the ADA, is really a "health care-housing" bill, and has nothing to do with protecting People With Disabilities from discrimination.

How can one explain to those "troops" from the "Civil Rights Movement" that we too have Civil Rights, and that we too need our voices to be heard, and not ignored?

Today, we have a challenge before us, to end the "invisibility" imposed upon us, and by speaking out, so our voices can join those other voices that eventually were heard before us. It is possible, it will happen, but we all need to lend a hand.

It would be so helpful, however, if we had our own "Martin Luther King" to lead our "marches," to give voice to our "dream."

Kathy Podgers
Advocate for Persons with Disabilities
Founder, Citizens for Feasible Compliance

Trees Bloom in Confusion in Spring Like January Weather

2007-01-04T18:16:00.000-05:00

These beautiful blossoms usually appear in April after the trees have enjoyed a long winters rest. However, the month long warm spell, including January temperatures in the 50's, have confused the trees into blooming 3 months early. With temperatures expected to reach the mid 60's on Saturday, look for other plants to spring forth blooms.

Immediately above is the Cherry tree on the corner Green and Putnam Streets. As you can see it is in full bloom in January!

Top photo shows one of the many trees in bloom on Perry Street.

Icy untreated sidewalks bar safe passage

2007-01-02T23:41:00.000-05:00

Service dogs are unable to effectively aid PWD's with mobility disabilities when the sidewalk is covered with untreated ice.

Ice should be treated promply to assure folks don't slip and fall.

Here you can see what happens when we have even an inch of snow. On the side street, where there is little foot traffic, the sidewalk is still snow covered, and not a slippery sheet of ice. However, on the main sidewalk where many folks walk, turning the snow to slush, the slush freezes over night and forms an impassable sheet of ice. The City must enforce it's own policies on clearing snow and treating ice in a timely way. You can also see in this photo the curb ramp is iced up.

Jeff Bartley Welcomes Friends to the 15th Anniversary of Cantab's Popular Folk Nite

2007-01-02T15:24:00.000-05:00

Jeff welcomes friends to the celebration of Cantab's 15th Anniversary of Folk Nite. This wonderful venue, held most Monday evenings for the past 15 years, is well loved and attended by experienced and budding song writers as well. drawing on local music schools and the Cambridge Community, Jeff attracts quality performers from across the country week after week to the delight of all!

A giant chockolat cake from Rosies tempted us all evening.

The house was packed with well wishers.

Bill McQuaid plays his 1931 National Style O single core ( Nickle Plated Brass) guitar, that some might refer to as a steel guitar.

Featured act, Scott Aleric, who has been heard on Prarie Home Companion, sang Bob Dylan's North Country Fair.

Christine slices the cake for a delicious finish to another wonderful open mike night at the Cantab!

2006-12-27T15:24:00.000-05:00

Merry Christmas to all,

and to all a good night!

Development on Charles brings Union to City Council looking for their due

2006-12-19T12:21:00.000-05:00

Hotel workers testified at City Council about their frustration at losing their jobs after many years of service. At issue is a request to the City manager to draft a Hotel Workers retention ordinance to stabalize the churn experienced when Hotels change hands. A bigger issue is more development along the banks of the Charles River Estuary. Will the planned development, on the wetlands along the Charles, have an adverse effect on our urban wilds and open space? Will we see the quality of the water of the Charles suffer? Why not an urban wilds and wetlands retention ordinance?

Galeria Mall pumps water into Charles River

2006-12-12T23:28:00.000-05:00

Security guards hose during draining of the basement of the Galeria Mall this morning, Dec 12, 2006, while petty shoplifters were making up excuses at the court house less than two blocks away. Traffic in the area was snarled during the morning due to water main break, which left waist/chest high water in the basement.

I observed the hose running through the bushes, and when I inquired as to where the drain was, I was informed they were dumping the water into the "river." More questions produced silience.

I wandered down to the river, where I was informed that they had obtained a permit to drain the water that flooded the basement into the Charles River. Asking who issued the permit, produced more silience.

Justice is Blind in Paper Money Decision

2006-11-29T13:40:00.000-05:00

In a decision that could be called "What is the shape of your money," U.S. District Judge James Robertson handed the Treasury Department an order that bills should be designed for the good of all. In a "sharp" opinion based on the Rehabilition Act and not the ADA, folks will be wondering how having U.S. Dollers being of equal size could be an inequality to anyone. This decision has already revealed the divisions within the "disability rights" world, as the Nattional Federation for the Blind cringes in fear, while the American Council for the Blind leads the way to a revolution in the design of the green-back, but not the "dollar."

As you can see, above, or, if you are vision impared, not see very well, one denomination looks like another in US paper money, unlike the paper money of most other countries. In countries I have traveled to, the shape, size and colour of money differs, making it easy to quickly identify the bill to use to pay for goods and services. It makes it easy, especially for those of us who were not raised in a country that uses the metric system. It sure is hard to read that 1 million printed on the bill in a different language, and I cannot imagine how long it would take to buy a newspaper if I had to count all those zeros! So, if the US does resize the All American Dollar, we will all benifit, as will all tourists, and, oh, by the way, folks who are blind will not have to depend on the kindness of strangers.

Of course there will be those who fear what this change in the shape of the green back will "mean." The American Council of the Blind claims it will give meaningful access to money for those who are blind, or visually impaired, affording them the same independence we all take for granted. Then there are those who have immediately opposed this decision based on the percieved "politics" of the Judge, after all, he was the judge who quit in protest over secret wiretaps by the current Bush Administration. The Government will probably think it means a huge jump in cost for them, but when has that ever deterred the government? Vending machine designers will discover it will not require the redesign of all vending machines, since no one is suggesting that the 1 dollar bill be changed in any way. Oh, well, perhaps folks who want the 1 dollar bill to go away will find some meaning in this decision?

Then there is the interesting stance of the National Federation of The Blind, who states in their press release that this decision is clouding the issue, which is not that the blind cannot redily tell a 1 dollar bill from a 20, but that blind folks are not getting the jobs they deserve. It is the earning of money, and not the making of money that should be the focus of advocasy for the blind, according to the Federation. The Federation claims in one place in their press release that 70% of those (blind) who want to work cannot find employment and therefore do not see money. They fear that if employers get the idea that blind folks cannot see documents they will request all kinds of "accomodations" and so they believe this decision will result in blind folks finding it hard to get a job. Then they state that blind folks who have jobs can ask for all kinds of accomodations to do their jobs, because they cannot see documents.

The interesting issue here is the federation continues to support the blind as dependent (upon them?) upon others, and fears levaling the playing field so the blind are not like little children asking everyone they do business with to pick out the right money, and count back the right money. Remember what a sense of independence, of "feeling grown up", it was when you finally caught on to the "meaning of money." So too, blind folks will be changed by this one step into "adult-hood" by becoming independent from the good will of others during the exchange of goods for money. While the Federation worries about folks having "pity" for the blind, this decision actually removes the need for the blind to ask for pity, or for strangers to count their change for them.

It is high time for the entrenched institutions who have been advocating for PWD's to take the next step, into the world of helping their charges become independent members of the community, well able to contribute acording to their actual abilities. The mark of a good "teacher" is to have the pupil "graduate."

PS: On my Christmas wish list is a square, pink 20 dollar note!

Giving Thanks

2006-11-23T10:48:00.000-05:00

What A Sweety!

Time to give thanks for the wonderful gifts we have recieved this past year. First, I wish to thank the Whites for giving me their beautiful purebred Siberian Husky, White's Shannon. Thank you White family, Shannon has been a dream come true.

Here is Shannon fooling around. She is just being silly. I had my hands full training her, as she was just two years old and full of Husky spirit. The "trick" is to train her without breaking her spirit. The best book I know about taining, or teaching, for that matter, is Smokey, The Cow Horse. Shannon is quite submissive for a Husky, and an eager learner. She is willing to work hard to learn what is allowed, and not allowed, and when she is "working" and when it is OK to just be silly. I have trained animals before, and trained thouroghbred race horse, so the training skills are well known, but the transmission of "working together as partners" is most important.

I want to thank my dear friend and neighbor for taking me to pick up Shannon, and helping me to train her, and going for walks together.

I want to thank all those who worked over the years to create a "dog park." Thanks to Skip Schloming, for his advice and support, and most especially, to the Cambridge Historic Commission for modifying their policies to accomodate a Dog Park at the most wonderful Fort Washington Park! All the dogs love it! Here is a shot of Shannon on the embankment with our Colours flying proudly above.

Hope your day is filled with wonders to be thankful for, too. Take care, Shannon and Kathy

She is unable to reach the buzzer!

2006-11-18T09:45:00.000-05:00

Boston police officer, on construction detail, responds to MBTA Bus #2224, route 66 on Harvard St at Brighton. The bus driver ordered the police officer to arrest a passenger for taking a photo inside the bus. When the Boston police officer declined to do so, I heard the bus driver tell the police officer, "But is's against the law! You have to arrest her." The police officer walked away shaking his head.

Previously this year, during a meeting/hearing of the Transportation Committee Chaired by Craig Kelley, to discuss with MBTA officials MBTA policies and transportation issues in Cambridge Ma, T officials responded to a question about their policies regarding taking photos. The response was that the T's policy for inside "train/trolly" stations, and tunnels, if they see a passenger taking a photo, they ask the person to stop taking photos. One can apply for a permit if they have a video project. The T official continued to state that the T has no policy regarding taking photos at bus stops nor on busses. The police inform me that it is not against any law to take photos. It is common to see folks on busses take photos inside the bus, sometimes of the scenery as they drive by, and sometimes of people inside the bus. many use their cell phone cameras for this. Many folks have taken photos to document continued violations of the ADA regarding access for persons with disabilities who want to use the T.

Then After the Boston Police Officer left and went back to his "detail" duty, the bus driver called for MBTA police, but failed to tell his supervisor what this was all about. What had happened is an old lady called out to the driver to stop the bus, (so she could get off) and the driver yelled at her "I am not going to stop if you don't press the buzzer!!" She called out again, urgently, "stop the bus, stop the bus!" The bus driver screamed at her that she had to press the buzzer, or he wasn't going to stop. Another passenger called out to the driver "She is unable to reach the buzzer." The bus driver then directed a liteny of abuse at the passenger that tried to help the old lady. The passenger then took a photo of the sign inside the bus, identifying the bus number.

When the T Police arrived, did the bus driver tell them what happened? Or did the bus driver describe a half-crazed disruptive terrorist suspect? The T police arrived with a "police wagon" to arrest the passenger, and the passenger called the office of the Attorny General, informing the T Police she was doing so. The T Police became angry, grabbed the cell phone and the two hands of the passenger together in his hands, dragged her down the isle of the bus to the rear door, and pitched her out to the sidewalk, where she landed on her hip. Exiting the bus, the T Police said, "Nice fall you had there!" and walked back and got into the "Police wagon." The photo above shows the Boston Police and the T police in conversation while the passenger lies on the sidewalk. Everyone drives away, and the Boston Police Officer returns to "duty" in the intersection. Passenger lies on sidewalk for over a half hour, calls 911 for help, and pedestrians come to her aid, until ambulence finally comes.

All Shook Up!

2006-11-17T16:14:00.000-05:00

Now that is a good sized claw!!

As you can see, the major part of the convent is down. Work is progressing with the removal of the foundation. As the development of Blessed sacrament continues, neighbors remain concerned about "colateral" damage to their own properties or to their health.

Today at aprox 2:30pm, folks were tossed from thier homes by the strong shaking of their foundations. I expierenced this problem before, during the razing and construction of Valentine Place. The City claims that no one's homes should suffer shaken house syndrome because there is no bedrock here in Cambridgeport, its all sand and clay. Well, that is the problem, as anyone can understand when one considers the widespread severe damage caused by earthquakes in Mexico City which is also built on sand. another neighbor and myself spoke with the developer, and I have been assured they will try alternative techniques for excavating the foundation. The shakin' has stopped, at least for now.

Who is included as members of the community?

2006-11-16T11:54:00.000-05:00

This is the location of the first Green Port meeting. As you can see there is a formidible physical barrier for PWD's for whom climbing steps is not possible. In addition, PWD's acompianied by their service dogs are not welcome as this is an "animal free" home.

It is interesting to note that the Dana Park Neighborhood Association used to meet in private homes like this until I raised serious objections. Now called Cambridgeport Neighborhood Association, meetings are held in accesible locations, often in the community room of Woodrow Wilson Court.

Steve, of Green Port, wrote after the first meeting...

"We brainstormed ideas for how Cambridgeport could come together as a community to support individual choices and shared actions to reduce greenhouse emissions and move us toward using renewable energy"

Steve also provided a ride for me to the meeting, and home again, because I was informed that I could not have my service dog accompiany me. I have asked both Bill, the president of the CNA and Steve, to relocate these meetings for the future, so PWD's will not feel unwelcome and be excluded.

Therefore, I ask, who are members of the community? Who is considered a neighbor? Who should be excluded from membership? Attendence? Meaningful access? Should Cambridgeport Neighborhood Association allow PWD's to be excluded from full and equal participation by choosing to hold meetings in inaccessible spaces? Should Cambridgeport Neighborhood Association lend support to "other groups" who exclude some neighbors, some community members, based on their disability, from attending meetings because the location selected for the meeting is inaccessible?

Seeing the light

2006-11-15T11:37:00.000-05:00

Here are a couple of compact flourescents that you may have heard about. This is one design out of many. Some have a squiggly shape, some look like regular light bulbs, and some are elaborate ceiling fixtures, enclosing compact flourescents specifically for mounting to replace your "old" flourescent fixture. Some older fixtures may have difficulty accepting some of these new compacts, so try several designs until you get one that fits. I switched to compacts many years ago, and have seen great progress in their design. I have four rooms, two lavs and a basement and use 15 compacts.

The main reason I switched was for energy savings. The compacts use less energy, therefore are less expensive to use. Folks also point out they are good for the environment. Councilor Henrietta Davis has informed us that N-Star has a program where they give compact lights free to schools for groups like the boy scouts to sell for $3.00 each. Sue Butler of Green Decade informed us they can be purchased for $0.99.

I have repetedly requested that these environmentally friendly energy savers be given free to seniors and PWDs living on extreemly low, fixed income. They could be distributed through programs we have already established, such as the Food Pantry at the Senior Center, the City's Snow Exemption Program, and the Fuel Assistance Program. All three of these programs screen folks, so folks who qualify for these programs should recieve free compacts so we can all practice energy saving, environmentally friendly reading.

The Peace Of Wild Things

2006-11-14T14:42:00.000-05:00

When despair for the world grows in me
And I wake in the night at the least sound
In fear of what my life and my children’s lives may be,
I go and lay down where the wood drake
Rests in his beauty on the water, and the great heron feed.
I come into the peace of wild things
Who do not tax their lives with forethought
Of grief. I come into the presence of still water.
And I feel above me the day-blind stars
Waiting with their light. For a time
I rest in the grace of the world, and am free.

Wendell Berry, Openings: The Peace of Wild Things

Acknowledging, Honouring and Thanking our Heros!

2006-11-10T11:35:00.000-05:00

On this Veteran's Day, November 11, 2006, fromtheport wishes well for veteran's and their familes, and the new Veteran's Pride Initiative, to remind American's of the pride and homour in the hearts of those who have served.

For my friend Don

2006-11-09T22:42:00.000-05:00

First attempt?

Second attempt??

These photos show a person in a wheel chair being humiliated because the MBTA bus driver is too lazy to curb the bus. Central square, Mass Ave at Pearl St, #1 bus to Dudly. 10/26/06 6:08 pm.

Cambridge City Council

2006-11-08T10:25:00.000-05:00

September 25, 2006 Cambridge City Council on stairway to third floor where the City's in house law department employes eight attornies. The entrances to Sullivan Chamber are to the right. From left to right...first row, Councilor Michael Sullivan, past mayor for four years, Clerk of Courts elect, Michael's twin brother, Walter, is a Mass Commission Against Discrimination Commissioner; Councilor Brian Murphy, who sits on the far right side first desk nearest the back wall in Sullivan Chamber; Councilor Denise Simmons; City Clerk Margaret Drury, parlimentarian; Councilor Henrietta Davis; Councilor Marjory Decker, who sits at nearest public entrance to Sullivan Chamber; Councilor Anthony Galluccio.
Back row, left to right, Vice Mayor Tim Toomey, also serves as State House Representative; Assistant to City Council Sandy Albano; Mayor Ken Reeves who chairs the City Council Meetings; Deputy City Clerk Donna Lopez; Councilor Craig Kelley.

Hallway around the corner from the stairway where City Council posed, looking into the "green room" entrance to Sullivan Chamber used by City Councilors. There is actually a second small room in the back which is entered through a door to the right of the table and chairs, but which cannot be seen in this photo. Food is served here, during meetings, and councilors "hang out" while City Council meetings are in session. There is a monitor they use to watch the meeting.

There is as you can see a bench in the hallway, which faces the public entrance/door to Sullivan Chamber, to the right of the piano. This space is constantly busy during meetings, as both City Councilors, and the public "caucus" here, and news reporters interview folks.

Public entrance to Sullivan Chamber showing public seating area. There is a break in the fence between the public seating, and the City Council "chamber" nect to the podium in the middle. This door is across from the bench shown in the previous photo, and ajacent to the Mayor's office to the right.

Inside Sullivan Chamber

2006-11-08T09:35:00.000-05:00

View of City Council meeting, taken Monday Nov 6. Mayoy ken Reeves is chairing the meeting. You can just see the heads of two city councilors seated to the right. Other councilors are in the "green room" that you can see on the far left, beyond the flag. The railing, of fence, divides the public seating from the City Council "chamber."
Here is a view that shows the podium where some stand to give testimony, and just in front is a table where some sit to give testimony. In this photo we can just barely see the top of the head of the City Manager. On the far left are desks where 4 more city concilors sit. There are also seats along the back wall. I see someone entering from the "green room" and perhaps that is Councilor Decker between the green room and flag.
Here is a view, from where I was seated throughout the meeting, of the entrance/exit to Sullivan Chamber. The seats are quite comfortable for me to sit in. However it is difficult to "slide" in so far down the ilse, and when many folks are in attendence, it requires folks "crawling over one another. i normally prefer to sit near the door, where I can get up and walk out side and back so I am not sitting too long. There are two unobstructed seats over there, one in the back which is also used by others with mobility disabilities, and the few seats to the right of this door, where there is also a great space for my service animal. You can just barely see those seats in this photo. The problem with sitting there is that Councilor Decker is seated at the desk colsest to the railing, so this seat would place my service animal within 10 feet of her. On Oct 16, outside of Sullivan Chamber, Sandy asked me if I would be willing to move my seat to the far side, due to Councilor Decker had not taken her allergie medicine that evening. I agreed immediately, and have sat in the back ever since.

Councilor Decker presents City's appreciation to Fred Reece

2006-11-08T09:16:00.000-05:00

Marjory did Fred right by speaking extensively about his many contribitions to the community over the years. This was taken during the September 14th meeting of Cambridgeport Neighborbood Association, previously known as the Dana Park Neighborhood Association.

Here you can see where we meet. It is in the community room at Woodrow Wilson Court. Although the room is small, it is "handicapped" accessible, with a ramp to the right of the stairs you see to the right.

Here, from left to right, is Bill August, president Cambridgeport Neighborhood Association, Marjory Decker, City Councilor, and Fred Reece. Fred is president of Woodrow Wilson association, and continues to be active in our community. They are displaying a suitibally engrossed copy of the City's appreciation.

What's wrong with this picture?

2006-11-05T14:41:00.000-05:00

Not sure if I can remember everyone's names, here, I'll do my best. From left to right, Gentleman from National Organization on Disability; Michael Muehe, ADA coordinator, City of Cambridge; President, MIT; Nancy Starnes, national Organization on Disability, all seated, and standing mayor Ken Reeves. This is my photo of the Mayor of Cambridge accepting the $25, 000 "prize" for winning NOD's Accessible America grand prize award in a special ceremony held in Sullivan Chambers, City Council meetings are held there, on June 12, 2006. We have asked to see, but have not been shown, application the City submitted for this award, which says that the City of Cambridge if the most accessible City in America, and should serve as a model for other cities.

?

Members and supporters of the disability advocasy group I founded, Citizens for Feasable Compliance, wore question marks to the ceremony, and passed out our press release.

Here is my question to you, and please feel free to answer...

What is wrong with this picture?

Service Animals Banned In Cambridge City Council??

2006-11-01T11:04:00.000-05:00

Below is a copy of the letter I wrote to Michael Muehe, complaining about the harrassment, retaliation, coertion, intimidation and threats of arrest because I chose to exercise my civil rights, and attend the City Council meeting, Monday evening, Oct 30, 2006, along with other members of the public. I have been attending these meetings for over 5 years now, and without any problems.

Where is the outrage for this demeaning bigotry, this hateful behavior? Am I an object to be ordered about by arragant out of control City Councillors? Shall the Mayor ignore the cry for help from a member of the public when he fails to control the City Councilors during the business of City Council he is chairing? Would he have called for the police to arrest a person of colour, a gay, a woman, a Jey, that was ordered to leave in violation of their civil rights? why does he believe that when a person with a disability acompianied by their service animal exercises their civil rights it is a "sense of entitlement?"

These are intolerable acts!

Michael Muehe, ADA coordinator, City of Cambridge, MA.

During the City Council meeting last night, I suffered retaliation for exercising my civil right to be accompianied by my service animal.

Concillor Decker, during the City Council meeting, without asking for a recess, rushed across the council chamber and into the public seating area, and demanded I leave the meeting because she claimed my service animal was causing her discomfort due to her allergy, explaining that she had not taken her allergy medication that evening. I declined, and she said she would have me removed. I announced that my civil rights were being violated. The Mayor, Ken Reeves, apparently not understanding what Decker was doing, accused me, and not Decker, of causing a disturbance, and ordered the police be called. (Decker had done this without calling for a recess.)

The police arrived immediately, and Police Commissioner Watson ordered me to leave the council chambers. I refused, and informed him that I had a civil right to be accompianied by my service animal. Watson stated it was not because of the animal, but because I created a disturbance. I responded by informing him of what just happened. Nancy Glower, the City's solicitor, was also informed by me of what Decker had done. I explained that the recess was not called by her until after she had rushed me and demanded I leave, right in the middle of the meeting, and which was the real cause of the disturbance, and which act violated my civil rights. The Animal control unit was called.

Glower returned to the "Green Room" and after a couple min returned (while she was away, the police continued to coerce and intimidate me if front of all present) offering me a choice of "reasonable accomodations." first, I could be placed in a seperate room, with the service animal, and watch the meeting on TV, or two, the dog could be removed to a seperate place, while I would be "allowed" to remain in the public meeting room. I declined, and informed her that this was not an issue of "special accomodations" but that I had a civil right to be accompianied by my service animal in any place the public could go, and I observed many members of the public were present, including black people.

She then, again, told me I had to leave due to Councillor Decker's discomfort due to her allergy. I explained that I was already accomodating Decker's allergy, as requested in the Oct 16th meeting, by sitting on the far side, in the back, near the windows. I again stated that an allergy to animals was not a reason to deny access to PWD's who were accompianied by their service animals. I further explained that only if Decker's allergy was raised to the level of a disability as defined by the Civil Rights Act of 1990, could I be asked to move. I informed Glower that Decker's allergy did not raise to that level because she admitted to me that she was not taking her allergy medication that evening.

Glower left. Decker returned to council chambers and Reeves conviened the meeting, Decker stated she could not remain in the meeting due to her allergy to animals. She left the meeting. Reeves stated that some people feel they are entitled to come to the meetings and do anything they want to do. I stayed.

However, I was publically humilaited, and scared by this ruthless intimidation.

ADA says

1. Allergies are not a basis for denying a PWD to be accompianied by their service animal. Even if Decker's allergy raises to the level of a disability, a person with a service animal cannot be excluded from public meetings, and that sitting away from her is enough of an accomodation.

2. The "reasonable accomodations" offered by the City are not reasonable nor appropiate.

3. If the police do arrest me, they must "allow" my service animal to accompiany me to the jail.

4. This episode is retaliation in response to me exercising my civil rights.

Does the City need a Municipal Tree Ordinance?

2006-10-30T14:30:00.000-05:00

A tree fell, yesterday, Oct 29, 2006, on Lawrence St. This was a huge tree, and had once been beautiful, but, as you can see from the photos, was a danger for years. We are all lucky that no one was entering the house at the time this came down, and no one was walking along the sidewalk. Folks are killed by dangerous trees that fall "unexpectedly" every year. This is a shame, and we need effective tree maintenance to manage our City trees.

This tree failed due to illness, not due to the "storm" on a sunny, but windy day. The tree should have been examined, and removed before it posed a danger, and certainly before it collapsed. Allowing City trees which are ill, and pose a danger, to exist along our City streets, unmarked, is outrageous disregard for the public safety!!

Years ago, many of us expressed concern for the health and maintenance of our then some 17,000 City owned trees. we wanted a Municipal Tree Ordinance. Instead, our wishes were "hijacked" by those who wanted a way to raise taxes, and at the same time claim they were protecting the environment! Those folks manipulated others, (tree huggers?) into believing that a Private Property Tree Protection Ordinance was the "answer!" These well meaning, but ignorant activists circulated petitions and got hundreds, if not thousands of signatures. Many folks were fooled by this, and wrote letters in support of the Private Property Tree Protection Ordinance, stating that we needed it to protect and care for our City owned trees, in parks, and that lined our City streets.

Of course, not a single City owned tree is covered by the City's private property Tree Protection Ordinance.

Taxpayers trusted Councilor Davis, when she interrupted my public testimony In City Council about this topic. She shouted out that what I was saying was not true. However, what I was saving was all too true. It was true then, and is true today. The private property Tree Protection Ordinance is nothing but a tax. It does not address the care and maintenance of the City's trees, that once numbered 17,000.

We, like other cities our size with many municipally owned trees, need a Municipal Tree Ordinance.

When the City fails to properly care for, maintain, and manage our trees, the trees are at risk. when they become ill they are dangerous. They are now a foreseeable risk.

Just like if you do not maintain your roof, and it begins to leak in the rain, the water damage is not caused by the rain, it is caused by your failure to maintain your property, so when the City trees are mot cared for, they become ill, and when they fall, it is not caused by the Mother Nature, but by Human Nature, human neglect, the City's abject failure to adopt a Municipal Tree Ordinance, for the care and management of our beautiful and valuable trees.

How many other dangerous trees are hanging over us like a sword, just ready to strike without warning?

We need a Municipal Tree Ordinance, one with teeth, and we need it now.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Caring and Dignity Award Luncheon

2006-10-15T19:42:00.000-05:00

Lida Hawkins, left and Steven Tolman, right, display their awards. They co-authored a bill to help Massachusetts seniors and people with disabilities to live independently in their own homes. Accepting the award for the ten senior and disability organizations from across the state who led the community coalition advocating for passage of
The Massachusetts Quality Home Care Bill (H.4758) is Paul Spooner, center, Director Metro West.

Held at the State House the ceremony was well attended, with the notable exception of three out of the four candidates for governor. Only Grace Ross and Martina Robinson were present to congratulate the award recipients.

Liz Casey Unseen America Photographer

2006-10-15T19:33:00.000-05:00

"A camera is an instrument to help you see without the camera."

Dorothea Lange, American photographer, 1895-1965

What is Unseen America? Unseen America is an innovative arts project in which unseen members of our community document their own experience and describe their worlds with the assistance of professional photographers. This program gives those who are unseen the tools and opportunities to become seen.

The program embodies the transformative power of looking, for a moment, through another's eyes.

The goal is to amplify the creativity and vision of voices that often go unheard, and to use artistic expression as an exercise in democracy with the integration of these voices into the larger social and cultural fabric of the nation.

BTW, Liz is one of my friends who led an Access Survey Walk in July '05 to commemorate the 15th year Anniversary of the passing of the Civil Rights Act of 1990, otherwise known as the ADA. (Americans with Disabilities Act)

For more information or the purchace of a book or print, please contact Jenny at 617 989 8051.

Meet the Green-Rainbow Candidates for Governor and Luitenant Governor

2006-10-15T19:14:00.000-05:00

Grace Ross is the Green Rainbow Candidate for governor of Massachusetts. Currently, in a 4 way race, polls show Grace with 1% of registered voters likely to vote for her. This is actually a huge percentage for a "third party" candidate.

This was taken at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Caring and Dignity Awards Ceremony to recognize leaders who have worked to provide quality, affordable healthcare to all Massachusetts health care and home care consumers. NONE of the other candidates for governor attended.

Behind Grace, you can see photos from the Unseen America project.

Below, Martina Robinson is running for Lieutenant Governor, as the Green Rainbow candidate. The election will be November 7th. She is on the "ticket" with Grace Ross. Actually, in Mass, there is no "ticket" and each office is elected separately. I have not seen any published polls for lieutenant governor.

Does Chris Gabrieli March To A Winning Beat?

2006-09-08T00:17:00.000-05:00

Chris Gabrieli demonstrates chrisma and enthusiasm just before entering the debate for democrats at Harvard last evening. Last to arrive, but clearly not least, even Reilly supporters grugingly admired his style, with one telling me "That is a great entrance!"

Charlie's Kitchen serves as the perfect backdrop for the populist style arrival of Chris Gabrieli in Harvard Square. Marching past supporters of the other Democratic candidates, Reilly and Patrick, Gabrieli showed how democrats can march into the Govenor's Office in November!

Chris Gabrieli's march to the Gubernatorial Debate ran the gauntlet of reilly and patrick supporters, catching them by surprise, and managing to attract the admiration of all. in Harvard Square. Will this strong showing attract the support he needs, and democrats need in order to finally take back the top political office here in Massachusetts?

Ever aware of the camera, co-eds smile as they man Deval Patrick's signs across the street at Reilly's supporters. Note Chris Gabrieli signs in the midst!

Unaware of the camera, Tom Reilly's supporters taunt Cgris Gabrieli Marchers as they pass by. Did Tom Reilly's supporters miss a great photo op?

Although how candidates arrived at the debate was not the focus of new's coverage last evening, the style of the three democrats was demonstrated in a real and clear way. Will this style translate to winning the party nomination and the election?

6.2 Million Dollar Porter Sq. Plaza MAAB Complaint Filed

2006-08-29T12:27:00.000-05:00

The City's response to the MAAB's request for information was due Friday, August 25th. I filed the complaint due to numerous complaints that the Wheelchair Ramp and other features were not compliant with the ADA. The ADA is a Federal Civil Rights Law that states that no one should be excluded from all the benifits the City offers because of their disability. Here in Massachusetts, we have in the Building Code, Chapter 11: Accessibility ; "(780 CMR 11 is Entirely Unique to Massachusetts)" that states "all public buildings shall be designed to be accessible to, functional for and safe for the use by physically handicapped persons." By definition, Porter Sq. Plaza is a building open to the public.

The photo above shows folks enjoying the newly opened Plaza. The Wheelchair Ramp is behind the tree, between the stairs and the wall, and takes folks for whom stairs are a barrier up to Mass Ave, the Red Line Station to the left, and the MBTA Bus to the right. The issue is; was the ramp designed and built in compliance with Massachusettes Architectural Access Board Rules and Regulations?

Below is a photo showing how close the rocks are to the foot of the ramp. The ramp must have a landing that is the width of the ramp by 60." Measurements between the railings show the width to be 65" but it was difficult to find the foot of the ramp. A ramp is defined as having a running slope greater than 1:20 but no greater than or equal to 1:12. Also, the ramp cannot exceed 30' without having a landing, or resting place, to breakup the long, steep decent. So, the issue here is, where does the ramp end, and the landing at the bottom begin? In other words, is the ramp too long? After several measurements to document the gradual slope I found the foot of the ramp to be aproximately 23" longer than the 30' allows, and aproximately 20" from the rocks, which are clearly intruding into the landing area at the foot of the ramp.

The railing must extend 12" beyond the slope of the ramp, to allow for folks to transion safely from the slope of the ramp onto the landing. The photo shows the railing ending before the ramp ends. This also results in another violation, as the walkway that enters the landing now has a non compliant cross slope. Also, a newly built walkway must be 48" wide.

Below is what it looks like when approaching from the bottom. The upside is clear, but when coming down, a wheelchair or "scooter" would not have enough room at the foot of the ramp, and would either be forced to change directions while still on the steep ramp, or run into the rocks. This is a bigger problem for folks with ambulatory disabilities, as they would have to angle across the cross slope without a railing to help steady them. One can only imagine this challenge in the winter!
This complaint was filed on behalf of everyone, but especially for folks who are blind or legally blind, or with other vision impairments, as I have been informed that there are numerous design elements at Porter Sq. Plaza that is hazardous for them. It is hard for me to believe the City would approve of such a dangerous design. There are many options that would have made this an enjoyable experience for everyone. For example, the ramp could have been placed in the center, with the stairs on either side. This could also have been less expensive, as the railing could have been shared by the stairway and ramp.

After the MAAB recieves the City's response to their request for informaion, the MAAB will determine if they have jurisdiction. In order to investigate, and order that the violations be corrected, the MAAB must first determine if they have jurisdiction. Stay tuned....

UPDATE: Friday September 8th, '06: I have just heard from the MAAB that the City has requested a 30 day extension to respond to this complaint. Here we go again.....

Was The Asphalt Walkway in Dana Park Installed Properly?

2006-08-21T13:05:00.000-05:00

Here is a section of Dana Park under re-construction. you can see markings on the old asphalt path and parts of the original grass. Some of the new stones that were incorporated into the new design are seen where they have been dropped. This curvy marking looks like it could be where they added a bench. The benches are set into the landscaping, so there is no space next to them where a person who uses a wheelchair or a scooter could sit.

This photo shown the asphalt being laid. The work site here is a mess, with uneven ground that even has truck tire tracks in it. It is no wonder that the result is an uneven surface that hes "Differential Displacement" a term used by Tariq during a Cambridge Commission for persons With disabilities meeting. What it means is without a proper foundation, the pathway will have uneven settling. a person who has difficulty walking, or who needs to use a walking aid such as a cane or a walker, will have a devil of a time traversing the multiple planes, and multiple angles.

Here is a detail I enlarged from another photo, to show the thickness, or should I say thinness, or the asphalt. Are they laying this right on the dirt? I wonder because at no time did I see them constructing the layers, or foundation my Dad constructed, when he put in his driveway and walkway years ago. A proper foundation is necessary, just like a sidewalk, or the result will be uneven settling, and constant and expensive maintenance, as we live in an area with seasonal changes, especially snow and ice. The above construction of this path in our dearly beloved Dana Park is a recipe for excluding persons who have difficulty walking, and/or use walking aids.

Uneven Walkway in Dana Park Results In Pooling of Water

2006-08-12T21:30:00.000-05:00

One needs boots to walk on the walkway in Dana Park whenever we have even a little rain. This pooling of water is caused by the uneven surface of the walkway. The asphalt was put down on the dirt, and disparate setteling cause low spots, which fill with water, and even mud that runs off from the grassy area. I want the City to repave with a smooth surface.

The top photo shows the walkway to the park entrance at Magazine St and Lawrence St. The second photo, immediately above, cruns past one of the little hills in the Park. The photo below shows the walkway at the "pavilian" area, filled with mant puddles!!

What a shame!

Pearl St at Decatur

2006-08-12T09:41:00.000-05:00

This was the condition of the sidewalk on Pearl St at Decatur when I fell on it and was unable to get up. Neighbours rushed to assist me, but still I was unable to get up. Someone called an ambulence. Folks told me that another person had fallen in this same spot and was also taken to the Hospital in an ambulence, and told me I should sue the City. The ambulance came and refused to allow my service dog to accompany me. I was placed on a streacher, and it was lifted into the ambulence. The expression on my dog's face was so painful to see, she was literally beside herself, and trying to stay with me. One of my neighbours took my service dog back to my home, and tied her in the yard. The ambulence took me to the hostipal.

In the emergency room I was wheeled to a nice spacious space, and the Dr came and ordered exrays of my ankle. While I was waiting fior the results another woman was brought in, who had also fallen on the sidewalk. She told me she didn't see the hole she stepped in because it was covered with leaves. I was fitted with a small leg brace and crutches, and sent home in a taxi. However, I was in severe pain, which was unrelenting, and I called the Cambridge Commission for persons Wioth disabilities, to get a temp HP permit. The process was explained to me, and one aspect was the City's program required a 2 week wait. So, I want to the Registry of Motor Vehicles and got a temp HP permit in one hour.

I did not recover as hoped, for a long time, and the result of Physical Therapy was to make it worse not better. When they applied ice, tears flowed profusely down my face. I was unable to perform many of the exercizes without experiencing severe pain, and they scolded me for being lazy, and not following the routine. As I write this now, I remember how cruel they were, and never showed any understanding that perhaps, indeed, I was unable to do certain exercizes. Finally, an MRI of my neck was ordered, and the result was a one and a half page document filled with "remarkable" "events." I had a number of pre-existing conditions, including osteo-arthritis, spondelosis, bulging disks, etc. I also had three new fractures in my cervical vertebra. My physical therapy was terminated, and i was subsequantly dxed with cervical radiculitis. Inflamation of the nerve roots in the bones of the neck.

Gee, doctoor, I said, all this time I have been telling you my pain was rediculous, and I was just mispronouncing it! LOL You just gotta laugh at this! I want to emphasize, I was already disabled, and the fall did not cause my multiple disabilities, but it sure complicated it. In order to treat the inflamation of the nerve roots, an antiflamitory was needed, a medication I am not allowewd to take. I applied for, and was granted both a "permanent" HP plackard, and a HP space in front of my house. I continue to use a service dog, which is great for me, as I cannot hold onto canes and things, as the pain is not fwelt in the neck, but in the arms and legs. for example, one day I might have a "broken arm," of course, the arm is not broken, but the inflamed nerves in the neck send the signal to the nerve endings, and it can be different nerve roots at different times. This is also why I can't stand any josteling, or vibrations of any kind, so I don't use a "scooter."

I write this not to elicit sympathy, but to explain how serious injuries can be for people with disabilities. I was unable to 'catch myself" when I "lost my balance" on this section of the sidewalk, and the already terrible condition sustained severe injury unlike a "kid" might sustain. That is why, In Massachussetts, there is a section of the Building Code, 780 CMP Chapter 11, which "provides that all public buildings shall be designed to be accessible to, functional for and safe for the use by physically handicapped persons, in conformance with the Massachusettes Architectural Access Board's rules and Regulations (521 CMR) listed in Appendix A and promulgated by the Architectural Access Board, Executive Office of Public Safety." This quote is ferom the "code" shown to me yesterday in the City's inspectional services/building office. I had a copy made, for my scrap book!!

Although I fell in late 2002, and recieved my temp HP permit with an expiration date of 04/03/03, the sidewalk wher I fell was still not fixed when i took the photo above, on August 17, 2004!!

I took the photo, after I called DPW and Mayor sullivan's office to complain that the City's sidewalk repair program had skipped this known danger, and I wanted it fixed. The Mayor's aid did add this to the "list" and the City did come back an repaire it. But they "fixed it wrong." Although they fixed the crack, and straightened out the curb stones, they failed to correct the verticle displacement and the cross slope. Also, they ignored the fact that there was no level landing at the top of the curb ramp. This meant one would have multiple "challenges" in the built up environment to hurdle to avoid injury, and which presents an especial danger to one who already has physical disability.

I am very tired now, and must post this and soak in the hot water. Please leave any comments, and if you see some mistale I have made, please bring it to my attention right away.

2006-08-10T21:43:00.000-05:00

City "Permits" street furniture & city is responsible for maintaining access

2006-05-26T08:30:00.000-05:00

Now that the City has decided to grant permits to Restarants and Bars for street "cafes" the City has unwittingly entered the "restarant business." The City is responsible for maintaing the public sidewalks, and must insure "Accessible Rights-of-Way." When speaking with John Nardone, DPW, this week, he was under the impression that if street furniture blocks access for PWDs, that it would be the restarant who is responsible. The agrieved would file an ADA Title III complaint with the Dept of Justice.

That is not what the Dept of Justice told me this month. If the access inside the restarant is blocked by furniture then one files a complaint against the restarant, a Title III complaint, but if the City permits the restarant to set up furniture on the sidewalk, public ways, then one would file a complaint against the City, an ADA Title II complaint, should the City allow the furniture to block access.

I sure hope we can have outdoor cafes, especially in Central Square, but the placement of the furniture must not block access. The City's failure to bring it's ordinances on this topic into compliance has resulted in giving permits for street furniture that is blocking access. I have informed the City previously, that they need to bring these ordinances into compliance, their failure to do so is now causing confusion for both public accomodations, the restarants, and pedestrians who suddenly find their access blocked.

The City must maintain access on rights of way. They must bring their ordinances into compliance.

Oh, where have you been, Michael Muehe, Michael Muehe?

2006-05-24T22:19:00.000-05:00

On May 8, I went to the hearing at the Mass Architectural Access Board, re the City of Boston not bringing the cross slope on the sidewalks at Symphony Hall into compliance. On my way there, who should I espy, but none other than Michael Muehe, ADA Coordinator for the City of Cambridge. I was curious why he would be in Boston, at the same time as I, so I asked what was up. He told me he testified at an earlier hearing at the MAAB.

After I attended the hearing where Boston was ordered to correct the bad cross slope, by July 1, and fines were accessed retroactive to Nov 30, at $500 daily should they fail, I inquired about the earlier hearing that Michael Muehe had attended. I was informed that Michael had testified for the "applicant" for a variance to Trolly Sq. The "Applicant" claimed that they could not provide parking for handicapped vans in the underground garage because the entrance to the garage was too low.

A few days later, one of the commissioners on the Cambridge Commission For Persons With Disabilities told me that Michael had explained to him that they needed to support the varience, because if they had to correct the problem and provide parking in the garage for handicapped vans, it would drive up the cost of all the "affordable" units. I called the MAAB to see if I couuld get a copy of the testimony, and was told I would have to request it in writing, and that I should provide a "disk." It would take time. I was told that at the hearing they had said they would "take it under advisement."

Today I called to get an update, and found out that a letter had just been sent stating that the MAAB would continue this to June 15th, to allow the petitioner to correct the problem or submit plans for off street covered drop off area that could be converted to an off street covered parking place if needed.

I spoke with the Director, who explained that the MAAB denied the request for a varience at the incoming case review 2/27/06, because the applicant had not prove "impracticability." The "applicant" during the 30 day period applied for a hearing, and that was held on May 8th, at 10:30 am. Notice of this public hearing was sent to the locak Disability Commission, Michael Muehe, the Building Dept, BCIL and the Applicant.

I do not have the Docket Number for this case. I am not sure, but I do believe that interested parties can still submit writen comments, concerns, testimony to the MAAB. I will try to find out the proceedure for this, so, keep tuned. I have nothing in writing on this, so forgive me if I have inadvertantly mis-stated something I was told verbally. Please leave a comment or a correction.

This Bus Is Not For You

2006-05-17T10:41:00.000-05:00

Recently we may have heard reports that the Complaint filed against the MBTA by Boston Center for Independent Living, (BCIL) was settled successfully and discrimination against persons with Disabilities, (PWD's)would end. In meetings I heard that the MBTA had agreed to take steps to insure folks who use wheel chairs, walkers and service animals wouldn't be trapped underground when they arrive at a station with the elevator out of order. This happened to me once, and I assure you it is no fun. I arrived at Park St on the Red Line, and took the elevator up to the Green Line level, only to find the elevator to the street inoperable. I had no choice but to return home, as finding a way around this barrier would make me hopelessly late for my meeting.

For some reason the MBTA has been slow to understand that folks with physical, mobility disabilities, who work, have doctors apointments, attend meetings, etc, expect to be able to use public transportation to get there. from my observations, the MBTA has been content to simply change a service, or shut down a service, sometimes without notice, as a solution to operational and maintainence problems, without access around the barrier that is created by this. "Sorry, the elevator is not working." is the total message I recieved. Gee. Now how do I get to where I am going?

After repetedly trying to work through access issues with the MBTA, and not being able to get the MBTA to resolve this continued denial of service, the BCIL filed a complaint against the MBTA. The complaint has settled, and the MBTA has agreed to stop dening service based on disability. However, my expierienc last week shows that the MBTA still doesn't "get it!"

Last week I was denied service by four MBTA bus drivers on the #1 line, the "Mass ave bus." Each of these drivers stated that it was only at their discresion if a person with a disability brings their service dog onto the bus with them. They stated that this was the MBTA's policy. One driver refused to allow entry to the bus,slamming the doors shut, and pulling away prematurely, leaving me standing in the pouring rain, one driver took my fare, then, because the bus was crouded, and I needed to enter the reay, slamed the doors on my dog's nose, and left me behind, driving away with my fare in hand. A witness has come forward in this incident.

In another incident, Tuesday May 9th, the driver refused to drive with me on the bus, and all the passengers were removed, while the "inspector" tried to find out the "proceedures." I was informed that a "disabled person cannot have a service dog on the bus, unless it has either a red or a yellow collar!" LOL I must tell you, that is NOT the Law! So, I politely explained the fed ADA service dog law to him. he then made another phone call, and l;ucky for me, he came back and apologised, and said I was right. He then helped me to take the next bus that came alone. Time for me to catch a bus to Harvard Sq, approximately one hour! I was not so lucky in the fourth incident, when the driver of bus #2259 decided to lock me up inside the bus and call the police. My crime? She was angry that I had provided another passenger, who uses a wheelchair, with the name and address of Mass Commission Against Discrimination. A third passenger, who lent me the pen, was not harassed, and he was not disabled, either. When the police arrived I asked if I was free to go, and they said yes.

The purpose of this report is to inform folks of the responsibility of the MBTA to provide service to all their customers. The MBTA must provide training so individual bus drivers do not discriminate against persons based on their disability. The real issue here is the Civil Rights issue, which the MBTA seems not to understand. They mistakenly believe that treeting Persons With disabilities the same as other folks is the way to stop discriminating. In fact that is a gross misunderstanding. What the MBTA must do is "identify barriers" that prevent folks with disabilities from access to the MBTA, and take appropiate steps to "remove those barriers."

What are barriers? Well, some are architectural, like steps, or seats; some, according to the dept of Justice, (DOJ) are "barriers in the general environmnet" like a "no pets allowed" sign; but the most serious barriers folks run into are referred to by the DOJ as "attitudinal barriers."

The MBTA needs to look at it's attitude toward persons with disabilities, and begin a comprehensive program to address the latent bias directed at those who's abilities make access to the MBTA impossible without the removal of the barriers.

I might add, as an observation of common sense, that the new million dollar busses, with the low floors, are useless unless the drivers slow down, and "curb the bus" so the purpose of the low floor can be realized.

Is Representative Government in Cambridge Out To Lunch?

2006-04-29T12:48:00.000-05:00

Here we see one of the seniors who comes to the Senior Center in Cambridge Ma, on Fridays, using the lift to gain access to the Senior Shuttle. The Senior Center provides a great service to seniors, especially those on limited fixed income, and with disabilities. The oportunity to share a hot meal with others, to socailize in the afternoon, and to remain active and independent means a lot for this group of residents. For some, it is "their whole world."

The City Council has often spoken with pride about the Senior Center. Serving Seniors, it seems is good politics. The Mayor's Picnic will be May 9th. You can expect all the City Councillors to be there, making a good impression, and asking for seniors to vote for them in the next election.

But where is the representation of the interest of seniors? Is it not reflected in the City Goals? No?

A decision has been made to close the Senior Center on Friday afternoons. It means, among other things, no hot lunch on Fridays.

Do the City Councillors really expect that folks that use the senior shuttle, and come for lunch on Fridays don't mind if the senior center closes friday afternoons? No more hot lunch on friday. For many, this will mean no senior center on Friday. It will mean another day of isolation.

Do City Councillors expect that seniors and PWD's should form themselves into a group, write upo a petition, flood mailboxes with e-mails, make phone calls, and write letters to the editor, so they can convince the City council to reverse the decision to close the senior center on friday afternoons?

Where, I ask you, are the voices that should represent seniors?

Proof Of Life!

2006-04-16T09:03:00.000-05:00

"I'm late, I'm late!"

Easter Bunny tracks along the Charles River Estuary!

Paradise

2006-04-15T18:54:00.000-05:00

And he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." And he said to him, "Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise."

It was now about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour, while the sun's light failed, and the curtain of the temple was torn in two.

Luke 42-45 from the Bible, revised standard version

Front doors broken and rear doors locked at Senior Center, blocking ready access again!!!

2006-04-15T09:33:00.000-05:00

Once again, ready access to the Senior Center here in Cambridge, MA is limited to those with the strength and endurance to fight their way in. The automatic door opener on the front doors is broken again, requiring folks using walkers and canes to pull open two sets of doors, while attempting to manage their locomotion.

Today, folks who use dedicated HP spaces in the rear of the senior center, cannot use the rear entrance. Nor are folks who have difficulty opening the double set of doors on the front entrance able to use the rear entrance. Indeed, there is no sign on the front entrance directing folks to the rear entrance, where the automatic door opener is working just fine!!

Why not?

Because today is Saturday, and unlike other days, the rear entrance is LOCKED for security reasons!

What does the ADA coordinator for the City say about this?

Gee, let me guess!

That's OK, it's City policy!

In An Abrubt About-face City Announces Major Policy Changes

2006-04-14T18:58:00.000-05:00

Owen O'Riordan, Assistant Commissioner for Engineering, Cambridge Department of Public Works, left, announced two major policy shifts, last evening, during the monthly meeting of the Cambridge Commission for Persons With Disabilities. He stated that from now on the City will bring abuting curb ramps into compliance when repaving streets and will include intersections/curb ramps near Senior or Disibility housing that will allow folks to access public transportation in their priority listing. This is a major change of direction for the City, and completely different from what John Nardone, pictured right, Assistant Commissioner for Operations, City of Cambridge, DPW, explained to me just last month.

The City's policy of repaving streets without bringing the affected curb ramps into "compliance" is a violation of public law 101-336, otherwise known as The Amaricans With Disabilities Act, the ADA. Passed in 1990, this major Civil Rights law states that a City may not discriminate against anyone based on ability. (or disability) Sidewalks are not required, but where they exist, persons of all abilities must be able to access them. That means curbs must be cut, and ramps built properly. Considering that many cities and towns had hundreds, if not thousands of missing, or non compliant curb ramps, the ADA required that Cities come up with a plan to bring existing curb ramps into compliance over a schedualed period of time.

In an act of pure intelligence, the ADA states that when new construction takes place, everything must be built so as to permit use by all folks. Another important and money saving provision requires that when a city "alters" or repaves a street or sidewalk, the adjoining curb ramps must be "fixed" so they can be used by everyone.

Since these changes were expected to take several years, a city was required to follow guidelines for prioritizing.

However, since 1992, when Cities were expected to "comply," several Cities across the US have been in defiance of the ADA . Cambridge is one of those Cities that has refused to fix curb ramps when they repave the street and Cambridge has not enacted the proper priorities, and has left housing where seniors and persons with disabilities live blocked from access to public transportation.

During the first public meeting re Prospect St Corridor Study, held February 28, 2006, I raised the issue of the ADA requiring that during repaving curb ramps must be brought into compliance. The spokesperson for Cambridge DPW came forward, and told everyone present, that what I had said was not true, and the City was not required to bring curb ramps into compliance during repaving, and that they would NOT do so when they repaved sections of Prospect St.

I therefore filed a complaint with the Mass Architectural Board, on March 9th, and sent a copy of "the Law" to John Nardone. Since that time, the City has engaged me in a "struggle." Although I welcome the verbal statement made during the CCPD meeting, I have heard this kind of "promise" before. Here then begins a series of reports documenting that struggle, and what is at stake.

"But I am among you as one who serves."

2006-04-13T19:57:00.000-05:00

A dispute also arose among them, which of them was to be regarded as the greatest. And he said to them, "The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and those in authority over them are called benefactors. But not so with you; rather let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves."

"For which is the greater, one who sits at table, or one who serves? Is it not the one who sits at table? But I am among you as one who serves."

Luke 24-27, the Bible, revised standard version

Bird Song

2006-04-08T15:57:00.000-05:00

Sweet notes along the Charles River Estuary

Trees Along The Charles

2006-04-07T10:16:00.000-05:00

Wet Land on the great field at Captain's Island

on the Charle's River Estuary

Who's home?

Ducks in Love

2006-04-07T09:46:00.000-05:00

Mallard's began pairing up early this
year along the Charles River Estuary,
perhaps a result of Climate Change.
Sorry this is not in better focus.

Dusk on the Beach at Captain's Island

2006-04-06T23:00:00.000-05:00

A Really Really Big Mistake!

2006-04-04T23:34:00.000-05:00

Loose gravel finally being swept up an removed from the walkways in Dana Park. The use of loose gravel is especially not allowed by the ADA. It is very hard to walk on, and creates a barrier to folks using wheel chairs and walkers. It is also tough for baby strollers.

However, now that the gravel is being removed it reveals another serious problem, a humpy, bumpy, uneaven survace, that fills up with puddles whenever we get even a little rain. There are tens of thousands of tiny sharp pieces of gravel sticking up from the "tar" that lays on top of the asphalt. The City spent over $800,000 renovating this park, and made many mistakes. This walkway surface is the biggest boondoggle of all!

Here you can still see the loose gravel on the right hand side, and on the left is the rough sharp pieces of gravel sticking up from the "tar." This rough surface can injur the pads on a dog's feet, which are delicate sense organs. It is also difficult to walk on with sandals, not to mention bare feet. A toddler who falls on this will get his hands and knees cut up. One wonders why in the world anyone would want this kind of surface in a daily use neighborhood park! What in the world were they thinking of?

This surface is uneven, and water collects in dozens of "valleys" as it cannot drain off. The tar that the gravel is embedded in is stuck like glue on top of asphalt.

These pools of water will be ice in the winter, making use of the park treaturous! Now folks can't walk without wearing boots, unlike sidewalks that are built properly.

Let's hope that the City never uses this surface treatment again in a neighborhood park!

A Tree Runs Through It!

2006-04-04T09:59:00.000-05:00

This mature tree, on Granite St., between the Morse school and the bus stop was planted many years ago, certainly before 1990 when the ADA was passed. It's gorgeous canopy provides shade and contribites in a positive way to our city scape. We love our trees. However, the trunk and roods have encroached upon the sidewalk, so there is less than 20" of space to pass by. Wheel chairs, walkers, scooters, and persons using guide dogs, people walking with the aid of crutches, etc, all are blocked from passing by this grand, and beautiful tree.

The sidewalks are services, and folks expect to be able to walk on sidewalks in a city where there is much traffic, and danger to those walking in the streets. The ADA , passed in 1990, says that access must not be denied based on disability. It doesn't mean we must have sidewalks! But, if we do have sidewalks, they must be accessible to all.

Now when a PWD walks down this sidewalk, he is trapped, as he cannot get by the tree.

Does that mean we have to cut down the tree?

Surely there must be a way to have both trees and access?

At last night's meeting of City Council, I reccommended that for every new tree planted, a mature tree that is blocking a sidewalk be provided with a "walk around" or a curb ramp, so folks can pass by, and people of all abilities can use the sidewalks. I wonder why this hasn't been done in the past? We need trees, but we need access too!

Zip Code Compliance!

2006-04-02T19:26:00.000-05:00

Curb Ramp Bulb at Linnean and Raymond shows excellent design and execution. This configuration allows folks to come up onto the sidewalk, straight on, and without running into the fence. No parking is lost, as the bulb is not much wider than the cross walk. The bulb also serves as passive traffic calming. High quality concrete used here is smooth and attractive. The cross walks are clearly marked, and line up with the sidewalks.

Below, at Green and Hancock, Curb Ramps were repaired, but without the "bulb" design. You can see that when you come up the ramp, you
would run into the fence, as there is not enough room to turn easily. This corner has multiple code violations, such as slope and cross slope too steep, and no landing, or level landing. There is a huge "hump" between the two curb ramps, and the quality of the concrete is rough, and uneven, with a grey cast. Although this is a heavily traveled intersection, by both cars and pedestrians, no traffic calming is present. Another safety concern, is having the offset crosswalk/curb cut up the street from the intersection, on the street with a stop sign. A problem occurs when the car stops on the stop line, as the driver is too far up the street to see traffic coming along Green St. This results in the car making a rolling stop, across the cross walk, so he can see oncoming traffic, and blocks pedestrians trying to cross. Unlike the intersection at Linnean and Raymond St, the crosswalk that is marked does not have the cross hatch lines, and there is a missing crosswalk at the other curb cut. The cross walk does not line up with the sidewalk.

Curb Ramps and sidewalks are services that the City provides. Here is a question...does the City have a common standard for Curb Ramp design? Or does the standard change based on Zip Code?

April Fools!

2006-04-01T13:59:00.000-05:00

The City of Cambridge has been selected as the grand award prize winner of Accessible America 2005 contest, sponsered in part by UPS. It means that the City is a national model for its focus on disability issues and for its succesful design of programs, services and facilities.

Huh?

You are kidding, aren't you? April fools?

(For a full size picture, first click on photo, a larger size photo will load, then move curser to lower right, and click on the box, this will make it full size. This is a photo of a UPS truck, parked illegally at a designated HP space at the rear entrance of the senior center, I took this shot this week.)

City Hall Rear (Handicapped) Entrance Locked Thursday Evening March 30th, Blocking Access to City Council Meeting on Police Traffic Enforcemet

2006-04-01T10:51:00.000-05:00

Ready Access denied at City Hall, Cambridge

Most of the time, when I attend a meeting held at City Hall, Cambridge, the rear entrance provided for PWD's os unlocked, and the auto door opener is working, and one can enter, and get to the meeting on time.

However, This past Thursday evening, the door was locked, resulting in ready access being denied. This is especially ironic, as the meeting was about police traffic enforcement, called by the Committee for Traffic, Parking and Transportation. I, myself, had entered the building early, but minits after, the person who uses the walker above found the doors locked. Why is this?

This is not the first time this has happened, and I fear not the last. There is no buzzer, or call system to assist PWD's at the rear door, and no phone number to call, to allert those at the meeting that a PWD is standing outside, wanting to go to the meeting, but not being able to enter the building. I have never seen a single police order about this type of access problem. However, I did encounter Assistant City Manager outside City Hall one evening, as I was standing outside, with the door locked, and unable to get to a hearing where my presence was material.

While I was waiting, outside the locked doors, several others came and went. And I observed a car driven by a PWD also be unable to park. So, I got out my camera, ant took a photo of the orange City Owned pick up truck parked in the dedicated HP spot. That is when Mr Rossi exited the building, but alas, I wasn't quick enough to grab the door. Mr Rossi immediately apologised for the car parked in the HP space and said he would take care of it. The following day I went to the office of the City manager, and requested an appointment, and was given one, for a meeting with myself and the City Manager and Mr Rossi.

I brought a writen adgenda to this meeting, and I gave each of them a copy, and I kept to the adgenda. I still have a copy of this adgenda, and I use this whenever someone in the City whines, "Why didn't you tell us?"

The main point of this adgenda was to inform the City manager that I wasn't "whining" myself, I wasn't just complaining for the heck or it, that continuing patterns of discrimination were serious and violations of law, the Civil Rights Act of 1990, the ADA. I explained where I was on the progression of bringing my dissatisfaction to the attention of City officials. I explained my 3 court theory, and told them that if the City did not respond to my concerns in a meaningful way, and continued to defy the law, and ignore these issues, that I would, indeed, file a complaint with the Department of Justice.

Mr Rossi informed me he would take care of the locked door, and blocked HP spaces, and that it wouldn't happen again. Since then there have been dozens of violations, but I have only photographed one dozen of them. I must say, that I have exhausted my opatience with this.

I am not an enabler!

Is This Gravel Loose?

2006-03-31T10:20:00.000-05:00

Civil Rights and Discrimination Against PWD's at City Hall, Cambridge, MA.

2006-03-28T20:15:00.000-05:00

Here is a current photo of City Hall, Cambridge, MA. located at 795 Mass Ave. Sited on a hill in Central Square, there is a double flight of steps leading up to the first floor. These steps present a barrier for persons with mobility disabilities. The Federal Civil Rights Act of 1990, also known as the ADA, states that under Title II, Cities and Towns must identify and remove barriers to programs, services and benifits offered by the City. How will this formidible barrier of a steep stairway be "removed" by the City of Cambridge?

In responce to this challenge, the City of Cambridge decided it was unfeasable to try to modify the stairway. Instead they decided to provide access to City Hall for PWD's by directing them to an accessible rear entrance/egress located in the Rear of City Hall. A sign on the corner of the front lawn now directs PWD's to the accessible entrance. This walkway is an accessible route. It leads around the building to the back, where a small parking lot is located.

If we follow the accessible route around the building we come to the parking area at the rear, and where the "handicapped" accessible door is located. Perhaps you can see it, on the otherside of the van, which is blocking this accessible entrance. In this small parking lot, the roadway is also the walkway, and the accessible route. One must enter the door, which is equipped with a push control to opperate the door. On the right there is a designated Handicapped Parking space. As you can see from this photo, if a car were to park in the Designated HP space, it would be difficult, if not impossible for a Person with a mobility disability to "squeese through" the few inches that would be left.

The way this van is parked, it is blocking an accessible route. It means that PWD's do not have ready access to City Hall.

It is also blocking an emergency egress to City Hall. Were there to be an emergency, folks rushing out the door would be pressed against the van, and be unable to get away from the building. this is a serious public safety issue, as well as a violation of the ADA.

The City needs to place a "no parking" sign adjacent to this rear entrance/egress, and remove the sign that allows "city council" to park blocking this door. In addition, lines should be painted on the pavement marking the no parking zone. Looking at these photos, where would an ambulence or fire engine park to provide emergency services?

What is an emergency exit?

2006-03-28T20:02:00.000-05:00

Tue, 28 Mar 2006 13:14:21 -0800 (PST)
From:
"Kathryn Podgers" View Contact Details Add Mobile Alert Yahoo! DomainKeys has confirmed that this message was sent by yahoo.com. Learn more
Subject:
Taking photographs of rear entrance inside City Hall is not against the law and where is the emergency exit?
To:
"Mayor Ken Reeves"
CC:
"Kathy Podgers"

Dear Mayor Reeves,

Today I went to rear entrance/exit at City Hall to make some measurements, and take some more photographs in the daytime.

Your staff person, appeared, and I asked him if the back entrance leading to the parking at the rear of City Hall was the emergency exit. He informed me he did not know. I showed him the car immediately outside the door, and blocking the walkway, and took a photo of it.

Your staff person told me I couldn't take photos inside City Hall. I then took a couple more, and told him I believed that City Hall was a public building and I thought it would be OK to take pictures. He repeted that it was against the law.

I asked him again if this exit was the emergency exit, and he replied it was the handicapped exit.

I am formally requesting that you have emercency exit signs placed in the appropiate, and required places, so folks can find their way out, should there be an emergency.

Furthermore, please have formal training for staff in City Hall, so they, and any of the public who may ask, will know where and how to exit City Hall. I would think staff would need to know where the emergency exits are, so in an emergency, they can direct members of the public out safely.

Please inform your staff person, that I have spoken with Lt Ahearn, of the Cambridge Police, and he informed me that your staff person is incorrect. I have been assured, by the police, that I have committed no crime by taking a photo from the inside of City Hall, and showing there is no sign marking this exit as an emergency exit.

Please respond to this e-mail, and let me know what action you are taking in this matter.

sincerely

Kathy Podgers
148 Pearl St
Cambridge MA 02139
March 28, 2006
http://us.f362.mail.yahoo.com/ym/Compose?To=kathypodgers@yahoo.com

Inspectional Services Complaint #3950

2006-03-28T19:35:00.000-05:00

Here is a photo I took at City Hall, at the rear entrance, which is also the "handicapped" entrance. Monday March 27th, at 5:45pm. I was trying to attend the City Council meeting with the School Committee, but as you can see, the entrance to the building was blocked by this van. More importantly, the egress to the building is blocked! I called the police, but was informed that nothing could be done about this, as there not only was no "no parking sign," and no lines on the pavement, but there was a sign allowing vehicles to park along the back wall, and blocking this unmarked emergency egress! Below is the e-mail I sent to Robert Anderson at the Department of Public Safety, State of Mass. I did file a complaint with City of cambridge Inspectional Services this afternoon, # 3950. Emergency management should begin at City Hall!!!!

Tue, 28 Mar 2006 08:27:10 -0800 (PST)
From:
"Kathryn Podgers" View Contact Details Add Mobile Alert
Subject:
Egres in Rear of 795 Mass Ave, Cambridge, MA repetedly blocked with parked vehicles
To:
robert.anderson@state.ma.us
CC:
"Kathy Podgers"

Dear Mr Anderson,

I am writing to you to express my most urgent concerns about a safety issue that I have not been able to resolve.

City Hall, Cambridge MA has a rear entrance/exit and a small parking area to one side and designated Handicapped Parking, DHP, to the other side.

Often, this entrance/exit is blocked by parked vehicles.

The driveway also serves as the walkway.

There is no accessable Handicapped Parking.

This entrance/exit is the only handicapped accessible entrance/exit for persons with mobility disabilities.

This entrance/exit is equipped with an auto door opener, accessed with a push control to the left of the door. The door swings open into the driveway/walkway.

You could imaging a U with a driveway/walkway up the middle, and the door in the center of the U.

Last evening, at 5:45 pm, when I went to the City Council meeting with the public schools, a public meeting I observed this entrance/exit to be blocked by a large van. Having complained many times before, to no avail, I called the police. It took the police 20 min to respond, although this building is located immediately in central Sq, and 2 blocks from City Hall.

The police officer told me he could not ticket the van, anr cause it to be removed as there were no markings showing that it couldn't park there, and there was a sign that allowed it to park there. I pointed out the sign was a moveable sign, and should not be located immediately adjacent to the entrance/exit door the this building. The officer informed me there was nothing he could do about it.

The City Council Clerk did remove the van, after I informed her I would file a civil rights complaint if she did not. (the van was also blocking the HP space. Then, while the officer was still there, another car parked in front of the door. It was the Vice Mayor, who chastized me, saying, "Oh, Kathy, common now..."

Had a car parked in the HP space, while the van was there, no one would have been able to get away from the building, as there is a stairway at the other end of the van.

It is my understanding that an entrance/exit should not allow parking withing so many feet, and should be marked, and with a sign, so as to ensure the emergency exit of folks inside.

I am concerned, as this problem recurrs whenever there are large public meetings, and there are no clear markings, and there is no one outside to direct the "overflow" parking. I am also concerned because there is a moveable sign, and which last evening eas located immediately nect to the entrance/exit of the building.

I plan to make a writen complaint at the Inspectional services later thisafternoon. I was told to come between 3:30 and 4pm.

I have taken photos dempnstrating the problem that I observed last night.

sincerely

Kathy Podgers
148 Pearl St
Cambridge MA 02139
March 28, 2006
617 642 3154
kathypodgers@yahoo.com

Why Is This Man Waliking In The Street?

2005-11-12T14:07:00.000-05:00

The Unintended Consequences Of Using Bricks On Sidewalks is to create a barrier. Here we see a senior with a significant disability has to vie with trucks on the City street, in order to get to Central Square!

Why, you wonder, isn't he endangered in the street? Wouldn't he be safer on the sidewalk? Even if the bricks did snag his walker once in a while, and cause him to fall, wouldn't someone come to his aid? Doesn't the City provide 911 cell phones? He could call for help? Assuming, of course, he wasn't knocked out when he fell.

Perhaps we believe he can see the cracks, the broken spaces in the bricks, and avoid them? Can he see them? Can people who have vision problems see them? Can the Blind see them? Can we see them?

Using bricks on sidewalks is not a neighborly thing to do. It handicaps our most vulnerable residents, not to mention visitors to our "beautiful" City. Visitors to our City want to SEE history, not TRIP over it!

On Monday, next, In City Council, number 3, on the City Manager's Adgenda, is the report back on the City's Policy on using BRICKS on sidewalks. No surprise to me, this policy, and the attached program, are NON COMPLIANT with the Federal Civil Rights Act of 1990, The Americans With Disabilities Act, the ADA, and the Architectural Access Board!

In fact, here is one issue, the use of BRICKS on sidewalks, that the City's Disablities Commission has actually taken a position on, but this report does not even mention the concerns of the Disabilities Commission. It is as though Michael Muehe, and the Commission For persons With Disabilities does not even exist! So, at the commission's meeting Thursday evening, I asked that they send to the City Council the "letter" they voted on unanamously, and sent in response to the super expensive Harvard Square rehab project.

I am asking that the City Council TABLE this report, untill we can get to them the acurate and correct information they need, before they decide what to do with this ILLEGAL program, and report it is attached to!

For example, one blarring example of ignorance is the City's classification of "vertical displacement" into three categories. The first puts a vertical displacement of under 3/4" on a watch list and reinspects in a year. The ADA and Access Board requirement is that a vertical displacement of 1/4 of an inch must be beveled.

When access is continually denied due to disrepair, it is a violation of the civil rights of those who need access to all the benifits, programs and services of their community. That is one reason the T has come to an agreement on the suit filed against them, cronic disrepair of the elevators. Here in Cambridge, our sidewalks are in chronic disrepair, due to a non compliant "Sidewalk Inspection and Minor Repair Program."

So, there are many non compliant elements in the City's policies on using BRICKS on sidewalks, but the only two I have mentioned here, due to time constraints and length, are 1., Failing to include PWD's in this policy making effort, and 2., non compliant assessment of vertical displacement.

Therefore, I am asking the City Council to Table this report, so we can have time to make our concerns known, and to present the correct information to the City Council, BEFORE they decide on the disposition of this offensive report.

The New Guy In Town

2005-11-09T15:10:00.000-05:00

S C O O P ! ! !

There is a new rag in Cambridge and it is a daily! Already it is making the news! (Pun intended!) Since the usual suspects either don't publish daily, or ignor news fit for persons of all abilities, the Cambridge Day scores a scoop almost every day.

So, do I need to worry? Will this upstart threaten my nitch blog? After all, why read the news on my blog when you can read it daily in the Cambridge Day? So far, so good, they are covering all sorts of interesting stuff; ie, the peoples news. We will have to see if they can carry on.

Since they are not on line, you may wish to write to them for a copy of their stories of interest, Cambridge Day, 1 Orchard St. No 1, Cambridge MA, 02140, or e-mail Marc Levy, editor@cambridgeday.com.

They hit the streets the first week of Nov, and their first Disabilities story came on Thursday, Nov 3rd; a front page piece.."Disabled fault city's ADA effort," by Rick Guinness. They ran a front page follow-up ubove the fold Nov 8th, "City responds on ADA" by Rick Guinness, with sub heading..."Leaders on efforts, also handicapped admit flaws on act. Continued on page 7, the heading pleases us by aniuncing "City officials concede imperfections in ADA."

YES!

Now, why do I so gleefully type YES!! Am I happy that our beloved City handicapps PWD's every day? Certainly not. But we cna't begin to fix something if we cannot agree it needs to be fixed.

So, accepting thet the Federal Civil Rights Act of 1990, Public Law 101-336 applys to Cities, under Title II is a first step in doing the right thing. Now, what do I mean by doing the right thing? Well it means that corrective action must be taken, not just adding words like we do not discriminate, or the ADA must be followed. It meand not only adopting, but PUBLICIZING a grievence proceedure! It means a lot more than that, for sure, but since the City has been in denial for the past 5 years at least, this public affirmination that they need to address compliance is a first step.

Institutionalized Discrimination Against PWD's in The City of Cambridge, MA

2005-10-31T14:29:00.000-05:00

City's Human Rights Ordinance is

NOT in Compliance With The ADA

Here in Cambridge Mass we, PWD's have to face multiple non compliance issues. I have been speaking out about this for several years. I have put my concerns in writing, and I have filed 2 complaints against the City with the Mass Commission Against Discrimination.

Today, In City Council, on the City Manager's Adgenda, Item #2, is his response back to the City Council re their request for a "status report" on the City's compliance with the ADA.

Why did the City Council make this request? beacuse the "disability question" was asked at a canidiates forum sponsered by the progressive democrats. The Q was..."If you are elected to City Council, will you put in an order bringing all City Ordinances into compliance with the ADA?" Of course all who answered responded, "yes!"

The sitting City Councillors were challenged by one of the challengers for a seat on City Council, he said, those of you who are on City Council now, why wait for the election? Why don't you put the order in now? After the forum, David Maher called me over, and asked me to set an appointment with him to discuss this. He was obviously concerned. We met for over an hour at City Hall. The result was the order he put in, and which all City Councillors supported...

City Council Order 0-51

That the City Manager be and hearby is requested to provide the City Council with a status report regarding the City's compliance with the Americans with Disabilities ACT (ADA) in all relevant aspects of City work, policies and ordinances.

The Status Report, if you can call it that, falls far short of the City Councils request. It fails to even mention doing a self evaluation and having a transition report. It mentions only one City program, the Facade Improvement Program, the only Policy mentioned is referred to as the "City ADA Policies" and which are not even enumerated, and most disturbing, this so called "Status Report" only mentions one City Ordinance. That is a far cry from "all City Ordinances."

One wonders what is on the City's self evaluation and transition plan?

The ordinance mentioned is non other that the INFAMOUS "City's Human Rights Ordinance" (Cambridge Municipal Code * 2.76.120). This ordinance is NOT in compliance with the Federal Civil Rights Act of 1990, the ADA, and herein lies the looming potential for a class action law suit.

This is institutionalized discrimination, folks!

Cease and desist!

I have requested the City Council not to accept this bogus status report.

I have requested the City Council to put in an order bringing all City Ordinances into compliance with the ADA.

I have requested the City Council set up a committee or a sub committee, where PWD's with the broadest experience can be engaged with the POLICY MAKERS at the City Council level, so as to bring an end to the institutionalized discrimination we are subjected to EVERY DAY here in Cambridge Mass!

Why the delay?

I am not opposed to having the Commission for Persons with Disabilities continue existing, I just want to remove the rubber stamp from their hands.

PS: This is Halloween, not April Fools!