Monday, December 28, 2009

This Volcano House Listing Perfect For High-End R-4 Rehab House For Deaf!

I came across this property and it looks perfect for a high-end R-4 house for wealthy deaf addicts. Ultimate privacy and free from the urban distractions. Wealthy deafies dont want to go to Awakenings, they tell me that for sure!

Volcano House

This just an idea until I have 800 grand to invest. I can run a R-4 house. I used to operate one in Midway City from '87-'92 that failed because of the urban distractions like bars, liquor stores, and big city crap. This place would definitely eliminate most of the problems I had running the R-4 house in Midway City.

The listing info

The Yahoo satellite image and map location

If you can spare me the $800 grand, I can make this dream into reality.

Richard Roehm

Friday, December 25, 2009

CSD in line for $30M contract

CSD in line for $30M contract

Communication Service for the Deaf in Sioux Falls has been notified that it probably will be awarded a $30 million contract to continue operating the equipment distribution program for the Deaf and Disabled Telecommunications Program in California.

Last week, the California Public Utilities Commission posted an intent to award the contract to CSD. The state's Department of General Services still needs to approve it, however, said Christopher Chow, spokesman for the California PUC.

The approval would renew until 2013 with an option to extend through 2015 a contract that CSD has had with California for almost a decade, said Christopher Soukup, senior vice president of CSD Contact Centers.

It would allow the company to continue operating the contact and distribution center on behalf of the California Telephone Access Program and the state PUC, which overseas the program.

The program employs about 100 people, 75 of whom work in Stockton, Calif. The contact center receives calls from deaf and hard of hearing people who would like to receive assistive communications technology such as amplified phones. CSD processes the applications, verifies the hearing loss, helps them select the necessary equipment and ships the equipment to the person's home, Soukup said. The program has more than 600,000 residents in its database.

"We are very excited about this particular contract due to the size and scope of the program we are supporting as well as its close relationship to the mission of our organization," Soukup said. "A significant part of CSD's reason for being is to elevate the level of communications access for deaf and hard of hearing consumers, and this is fundamentally what is being accomplished for California residents through this program."

CSD will partner with San Jose Distribution Services for disseminating the equipment.

"San Jose Distribution Services Inc. is extremely proud and honored to be able to continue providing distribution logistics services for such a worthwhile state program that positively affects the lives of hundreds of thousands of Californians," said Gary Minardi, San Jose Distribution Services president.

Deaf theater staff member inspires customers, colleagues

Deaf theater staff member inspires customers, colleagues

t's a normal Friday night at the movies in mid-December. The after-work and after-school crowds make their way in from the biting cold to sample one of the many flicks that flow out of Hollywood so prodigiously this time of year.

They stop by the concession stand for the requisite popcorn and soda and are likely to receive a dose of inspiration along with their order. All thanks to Jivan Petit, a "concessionist" on the night shift at the AMC Loews Georgetown 14 theater on K Street Northwest, where he has worked for five years.

He is quick with a smile, fast on his feet and never makes a customer wait. He scoops the corn, pours the drinks and hands out the change with evident pride and satisfaction in his work.

The 30-something Mr. Petit has been deaf since he was 1 year old, save for being able to sense some vibrations. He was born in India and adopted by a French couple, Michel and Marlene Petit, as an infant. He lost his hearing when he contracted meningitis and a high fever shortly after his adoption.

Mr. Petit ended up in the United States in the 1980s after his father moved the family here to take a job.

Many people struggle using a second language, especially those in service-oriented jobs, in which communication with customers is constant. For Mr. Petit, whose native language is French, that challenge is compounded by his hearing impairment. He takes this, like other obstacles he faces, in stride.

"It depends on if they speak too fast. I told them that I'm deaf and please note [their] order," Mr. Petit explains, writing answers to questions posed to him on a small notebook he keeps by the cash register.

He asks customers to use the same notebook to jot down orders he can't quite make out by reading lips.

"Sometimes people gesture to me what's their order," he writes, adding that some people are too impatient to write a note. "I can't blame them. I respect them. I'm OK and positive."

Wayne Morgan, an AMC general manager, has observed the way customers interact with Mr. Petit.

"They see him as a hardworking guy who means well, and it makes their trip here even more unique and memorable," he says.

"He can bridge the communication gap. Customers get drawn to him very easily. I see them come through and give him a high five," says Jacob Jochum, who has worked with Mr. Petit over the past few months.

Justin Scott, director of corporate communications for AMC Theaters, estimates that "a small percentage of AMC associates have a known or visible disability. It equates to an average of approximately one person with a known or visible disability at each theater."

"We recognize that it's difficult to innovate or truly serve a diverse guest population without reflecting that diversity in our associate base," he adds.

Mr. Petit, who has twice been honored as employee of the month at the theater, explains in an e-mail that he has been able to teach his fellow employees, not through words, but by example.

"People asked me some questions about working at concession, so I'm willing [to] help them and taught them how to do work on concession," he writes.

One of the customers Mr. Petit helped recently was Kara Kennedy Allen, daughter of the late Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, the Massachusetts Democrat who championed the cause of people like Mr. Petit through his sponsorship of the Americans With Disabilities Act.

"I think it's terrific," Mrs. Allen told The Washington Times as Mr. Petit filled her order.

"It didn't even phase me," she explained, referring to using a note to communicate her order.

Indeed, some guests walk into the theaters with a renewed appreciation for the films they are about to see, knowing people like Mr. Petit can't enjoy them the same way.

Mr. Petit writes that "Slumdog Millionaire" is his favorite movie.

"Yes, I have been watching it often and I have [it on] DVD at my home to watch it. It is a great movie and story," he writes, noting that he, like many people who are deaf watch movies at theaters that offer special captioning for the hearing impaired.

He is on track to graduate with a degree in computer information systems in 2012 from Strayer University, but a career at the movies could be an option.

When asked if Mr. Petit could one day be a manager himself, Mr. Morgan says, "It would be a challenge, but I would not rule it out."

Google Adds Captions for Deaf to YouTube Videos

Google Adds Captions for Deaf to YouTube Videos

The deaf and hard-of-hearing Internet users now have a way to watch free videos on YouTube. Google announced earlier this year that it has added automatic caption capability to videos on YouTube.

The change has been lauded by advocates for the hearing impaired, such as the Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing in Milwaukee. The center called it “great news for deaf and hard-of-hearing Internet users” in a press release.

Machine-generated captions on videos from 13 YouTube "partner channels" will initially be available only in English, with plans to expand the feature to include more languages in the future. YouTube users have had a manual version of the service since last year, but it has not been broadly used and does not include most of the site’s content.

The caption project was led by Ken Harrenstein, a deaf Google software engineer.

“In some ways this reminds me of when closed-captioning (CC) was first introduced,” said Mr. Harrenstein in a Google news release. “Before that, little on TV made sense, and the only movies worth paying for were foreign films, because those were the only ones with subtitles! I now have the same sense of hope that I did then.”

According to Google, over 20 hours of video are uploaded to YouTube every minute, and most online user-generated video content remains inaccessible to the deaf and hard-of-hearing users.

Google admits that the project is still in its beginning stages.

“There are still light-years to go, and I'm painfully aware of how limited our first implementation is,” Mr. Harrenstein said.

The feature only works with a Flash player embedded in a web browser.

Thursday, December 24, 2009

OCDAC Now Has A New Voice & Fax Phone Number

Orange County Deaf Advocacy Center now has a new Voice & Fax phone number 714-486-2632 and will have a TTY/TDD added to the line by January 1, 2010. Voice callers can still contact us through our 949-955-0054 number, but, this number no longer accepts fax calls.

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Incoming Gallaudet President Hurwitz keeping many roots in Rochester

Incoming Gallaudet President Hurwitz keeping many roots in Rochester

Alan Hurwitz heads for Washington, D.C., next month to become president of Gallaudet University — the world's leading liberal arts institution for the deaf.

But he realizes that much of his future life will remain anchored in Rochester.

He forged his career at Gallaudet's traditional rival: the National Technical Institute for the Deaf, or NTID, one of eight colleges at Rochester Institute of Technology. Joining as a science professor in 1970, he became its first deaf dean in 1998 and president in 2008.

After 39 years, he's not willing to pull up roots. He and his wife, Vicki, will keep their Pittsford home when they move into House One — the elegant president's mansion on Gallaudet's campus.

"Rochester is far and away the most deaf-friendly town I've ever been to," said Hurwitz, speaking American Sign Language through interpreter Doney Oatman. "We intend to retire here.

"Our son, Bernard, and his family live nearby and we have many friends in the area. This will be our getaway from Gallaudet."

Two ground-breaking projects also will keep him commuting from Washington.

He plans to begin a partnership between NTID and Gallaudet to train health care workers.


"There's a critical shortage of health care professionals who can communicate with deaf and hard-of-hearing patients," he said. "I want to start this as soon as possible."

Students would begin their studies at Gallaudet, and go to NTID for technical courses. Hurwitz hopes to tap the expertise of two Rochester institutions.

Rochester General Hospital would provide internships, and UR's National Center on Deaf Health Research could share its expertise on promoting health care for deaf populations. Preliminary talks with them should begin early next year, and a national task force will be formed to shape the program, Hurwitz said.

He also has launched a new service at NTID to aid veterans who lost hearing in Iraq or Afghanistan.

"Many troops do not use hearing protection while out on missions," RIT said in a statement, citing reports from military doctors. "They feel that it affects their ability to do their job."

An estimated 70,000 soldiers suffered hearing losses in combat, the Department of Veterans Affairs estimates.

"Serving them is our responsibility, by virtue of our expertise in hearing loss," Hurwitz said.

Next year, NTID will help such veterans with communications skills and psychological support. With the help of interpreters and note-takers, some may enter RIT degree programs. RIT is a Yellow Ribbon College offering low-cost tuition to recent veterans.

Hurwitz's dual residency in Rochester and Washington might seem like having the best of both worlds. In fact, Gallaudet's offer sent his life into turmoil this past summer. He hadn't applied for the presidency, intending to finish his career at NTID. But Gallaudet wouldn't take no for an answer.

"By July, I was steamrolling along with three other candidates," he said. "My interviews went well. But right up to Gallaudet's decision (on Oct. 18), Vicki and I weren't sure what we'd do.

"Even now, we get up in the morning and look at each other: Is this really happening? It's a wild transition, everything's moving so quickly!"

At times, he becomes acutely aware of the new public spotlight aimed at him.

"Gallaudet has a lot of history, a lot of pride," he said. "I'm trying to hit the ground running. ... I view this as a call to national service, because Gallaudet needs new leadership."

He interrupted his move early this month to fly to Moscow. He and fellow NTID leader James J. DeCaro met with the leaders of Russia's largest deaf organizations. (DeCaro is NTID's interim president while it conducts a national search for its next leader.)

"It is indeed December in Moscow!" DeCaro wrote, shivering by e-mail. "We have been discussing ways that NTID and Gallaudet can work collaboratively with the organizations, to improve the circumstances of deaf people in Russian postsecondary education."

Just before his trip to Russia, Hurwitz decided to take a rare breather at home.

Dressed in blue jeans and loafers, he welcomed a few friends with easy cordiality. But even in repose, Hurwitz is notably intense. He signs pensively but with great gusto. Each emphatic gesture advances a point of logic, like a drillmaster marshaling his troops.

This sense of methodical drive has propelled Hurwitz's entire career.

Deaf since birth, he was raised by deaf parents in Sioux City, Iowa. His mother made sure that he read plenty of stories about successful deaf people — useful role models when he became the only deaf student at a large public high school.

"It was often a lonely experience," he said of that time. "But I was good at football, basketball and baseball, and made some friends that way."

Yet his firmly ingrained habit of self-reliance and his expert lip-reading soon came to his aid. He excelled as an electrical engineering major at Washington University, St. Louis. That led to five years as an engineer and programmer in that city's McDonnell Douglas aerospace company.

He first began using sign-language interpreters at the University of Rochester, where he earned a doctorate in education. His newfound teaching skills and science background were fully exploited at NTID, which saw major changes during his tenure.

In 1970, 85 percent of NTID's 339 students came from residential schools for the deaf. Today, 65 percent of its 1,474 students attended mainstreamed public schools.

They use a wide variety of communication modes, including American Sign Language, lip reading and real-time captioning. Teachers at NTID and Gallaudet are still stretching to meet their students' classroom needs.

With such a diverse population, Hurwitz saw the need for a central gathering place. In 2005, he opened the $4.5 million CSD Student Development Center housing the student government, multicultural clubs and a communication center.

He has made a point of experiencing student life first-hand, sometimes living in dormitories for several days to inspect conditions. One of his roommates last summer was Shonathan Lawrence, a student from Columbus, Ga.

"He was very friendly and told us some things about his personal life," said Lawrence, 20. "I've shared much of his wisdom and learned a lot from him."

Outside of NTID, the Hurwitzes both have been active in Rochester organizations serving deaf and hard-of-hearing residents. Vicki co-founded Deaf Women of Rochester, while Alan served two decades on the board of Rochester School for the Deaf.

"I'll miss having Alan and Vicki close by," RSD Superintendent Harold Mowl said in an e-mail. "They're genuine people who enjoy life immensely and care deeply about people."

The local deaf community will throw the Hurwitzes a farewell party at RSD today.

At Gallaudet, the Hurwitzes will find a relatively tranquil campus. But that school has witnessed student turmoil that made worldwide headlines over the last two decades.

In 1988, students staged successful protests to install Gallaudet's first deaf president: I. King Jordan. The unrest revived in 2006, when provost Jane K. Fernandes was named his successor.

Deaf from birth, she didn't learn to sign until age 23. Students who invested their cultural identity in American Sign Language judged her "not deaf enough" and occupied the campus. More than 100 were arrested before Robert Davila, NTID's first deaf CEO, was appointed president.

Hurwitz's appointment was greeted enthusiastically this fall, and his wife expects a smooth transition as Gallaudet's first lady.

She brings strong credentials to her new role. She was a student development coordinator at NTID and directed RSD's outreach center. She also moonlights as her husband's main cheerleader.

"We plan to have dinner and lunch parties at House One," she said. "I want students to come over and feel comfortable to talk with me. This won't be an ivory tower."

But next May, Alan will venture from House One to the ultimate tower of power — the White House.

"Barack Obama and I will be signing Gallaudet diplomas," he said, beaming at the thought of presidential friendship flowing along with the ink. "Well, I'm signing. Maybe he'll use a rubber stamp."

City may shut down group home for deaf teens

City may shut down group home for deaf teens

The City of Albuquerque could shut down a home that helps several deaf teens, because of a large number of police calls.

Police have been called to the La Familia group home for the deaf dozens of times, and the woman in charge says she’s doing the best she can.

The home sits on a quiet northeast Albuquerque cul-de-sac, meant to blend in with the neighborhood, but multiple police calls show that crime is standing out.

Back in June, a teen threatened to kill staff members, and in March, staff and a client were punched and slapped and a window was broken.

One neighbor said “It’s like living next to a mental hospital with a couple 7-11s thrown in for parking.”

The city says the excessive police reports are enough to warrant revoking the group home’s license, so the city will hold a public meeting next year.

La Familia CEO Beverly Nomberg says many of the teens have been abused or neglected, and all of them have communication problems.

Nomberg says she’s afraid the city will force them out of the house.

"Of course I'm worried that that could happen. Because then I have children living there that I have to figure out another place for them to live," she said.

She says they’ve taken steps to minimize problems in the house, including additional training for staff.

"We're very sorry if it's disruptive to the community and we've tried to minimize that. And we will continue to try to minimize that," she said.

The zoning hearing is set for January 11, then the zoning administrator will have 15 days to make a decision on La Familia’s future.

Combat veterans going deaf

Combat veterans going deaf

More than two-thirds of British troops returning from Afghanistan are suffering from severe and permanent hearing damage, according to the most comprehensive study into one of the less well-known side-effects of the conflict in Helmand.

Internal defence documents reveal that of 1250 Royal Marine commandos who served in Afghanistan, 69 per cent suffered hearing damage due to the intense noise of combat.

The findings indicate that complaints such as tinnitus or almost complete deafness among combat troops are considerably greater than previously reported.

One audiologist said the report revealed that hearing loss was endemic among Afghan veterans, with many suffering defects that could bar them from frontline service.

The intensity of the conflict in Helmand and its close-combat fighting, roadside devices and the noise of low-flying coalition aircraft caused the problems, according to the British Ministry of Defence study.

The report, dated December 7 and written by military consultant surgeon Chris Pearson, warns that the known scale of the problem might prove to be the "tip of the iceberg" because only the most severe forms of hearing loss, grave enough to bar troops from frontline service, are officially reported.

Professor Mark Haggard, honorary vice-president of Deafness Research UK, which is working with the MoD to resolve the problem, said: "The issue has become systemic, endemic.

Combat gunfire and explosions mean significant numbers are turning up with significant hearing problems."

Hearing tests were conducted on 1254 troops from 42 Commando Royal Marines following their six-month tour in Helmand between April and October 2008. Analysis by the defence audiology service found that 865 of the Marines displayed signs of severe hearing damage caused by loud noise. Of these, 410 were classified as more extreme cases.

Pearson concluded that 69 per cent of the Royal Marines had "audiometric evidence consistent with NIHL [noise-induced hearing loss]".

British employers must not subject staff to noise levels over 85 decibels for prolonged periods. Haggard said the blast of a gun or "medium" explosion measured 140dB, equivalent to hearing a jet plane taking off about 40m away. The sound of a pneumatic drill at 2m distance measures 126dB while an alarm clock is 90dB. The normal pain threshold is around 120dB.

The MoD study also points towards major problems among reservists deployed to Helmand. Pearson's report reveals that one in 10 Territorial Army recruits also experienced a significant degree of hearing loss following their tour of duty which was "unlikely to be due to anything other than noise or blast".

Tests comparing the Royal Marines from Afghanistan with service personnel from an RAF base in the UK found that 17.7 per cent had severe ear damage compared with 5.2 per cent of the RAF personnel.

The MoD report also scrutinised in detail the medical records of 73 soldiers who had served in Helmand province and found that 67 had problems with their hearing. Of these 39 were diagnosed with noise-induced hearing loss with 16 new cases of hearing problems thought to be from "blast injury".

A MoD spokesman said they were trying out new ear protection: "The system uses a custom moulded earplug with an inbuilt microphone to cut the noise impact of loud explosions while still giving the wearer the ability to hear colleagues. Feedback from trials with soldiers in training and in theatre have allowed the rapid development of new earplugs that stay in place."

Deaf-blind residents have all of the comforts of home

Deaf-blind residents have all of the comforts of home

Politicians and visitors got a close-up look Saturday at one of the city's most valuable group home settings, Lions McInnes House on Henry Street.

"It's given her a life," Eleanor Young of Wartburg, Ont., said of her 50-year-old daughter Cathy, during the facility's annual open house.

"She can do anything in the community with help of an intervener; she's involved in activities like swimming and karaoke."

Cathy Young, like all of the 13 residents of Lions McInnes House, is deaf-blind. She has some vision, however, enough to understand sign language when the speaker's hands are close.

Cathy thinks of Lions McInnes as home, she confirmed, adding that she likes it there, has many friends and will be going home with mom for Christmas.

Cathy is a gregarious woman, and was curious about the attention being shown Saturday by the many visitors. Flash photography brought a smile and a reporter taking notes led to an up-close inspection of pen working on paper.

"It's great here," Eleanor said. "I remember when she was coming out of W. Ross (Macdonald School for the Blind), wondering, 'What's going to happen?' "Thank God for the Lions clubs. As the mother of a child, you worry about their future . . . . Lions clubs came along (with help) at the right time."

The residents get support around the clock, with 35 interveners available to them in addition to administration and staff.

It takes a special person to be an intervener, executive director Joan Brintnell said.

"In hiring interviews, the biggest thing is that they come in and learn about the clients and the philosophy of intervention," she said. "Because there's very limited post-secondary education for interveners, most of them learn here, on the spot."

Essentially, the spirit is one of assisted independence. The intervener goes everywhere with the res- ident, finds out what they need or want, and tries to help them secure that. Not every intervener is the right person for the job.

"Everyone has a variety of needs. Sometimes they'll need a different person to go to work than go to the bar and have a drink," Brintnell said. The most important thing is a willingness on behalf of both the client and the intervener to keep on learning.

"We never stop," she said. "There's no end to the client's learning and no end to our learning."

Lions McInnes House has four three-bedroom apartments and two one-bedroom apartments. It has a couple of big anniversaries coming up in June: 25 years in operation and 10 at this location.

In addition to meeting residents' needs, Brintnell said, the house also works to help the estimated 100 to 150 deaf-blind people throughout the province. Many of them would like similar placement but there simply isn't enough room or support.

"Most of our clients have been here for some time," Brintnell said. "If there's an opening, we let the Canadian Deaf-Blind Association know.

"And when people do come to visit, we want them to realize that unless someone moves out, there may not be a spot."

Group’s £3m gift to deaf charity

Group’s £3m gift to deaf charity

The Royal National Institute for the Deaf has accepted a cheque for £3 million from the Co-operative Group.

Royal visitor, Sophie, the Countess of Wessex — a dedicated trustee of RNID — attended the event in Manchester to acknowledge the hard work of Group staff in fundraising for the charity during 2009.

The society adopted RNID as its Charity of the Year in January, and has raised £3m so far this year for its Hear to Help Project, which trains volunteers to provide support to hearing aid users in their local communities.

RNID Chief Executive Jackie Ballard said: "The Co-operative Group has raised a phenomenal amount. This is a fantastic achievement, and we are grateful to have been involved with such a successful partnership. The money raised will go a long way towards reducing isolation for those who have a hearing loss."

Thief walks off with deaf puppy from Humane Society kennel

Thief walks off with deaf puppy from Humane Society kennel

A puppy stolen Friday afternoon from the Humane Society of Huron Valley is seen as particularly vulnerable because she was born deaf.

Chilly, an 8-week-old American bulldog, disappeared from her kennel between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. at Humane Society’s headquarters in Superior Township.

“It’s feasible to think of somebody shoving her up inside their coat and walking out the front door,” said Tanya Hilgendorf, HSHV executive director.

Chilly was being treated for an infection and was not yet ready for adoption.

“She’s a beautiful little girl,” Hilgendorf said. “Somebody might be trying to make some money off her.”

Typical reasons a dog might be stolen are the desire to save money on adoption costs or to be sold to another party. Some are also sold for research purposes.

The shelter was experiencing a busy afternoon, with many animals going out for adoption, and the staff was preoccupied when the incident occurred. The fact that Chilly is “a calm and quiet” pup abetted the abductor in making a getaway.

Hilgendorf said dogs with all-white coloring have an inordinate genetic tendency to be deaf.

The shelter staff is hoping that Chilly’s whereabouts will be revealed after word of the incident spreads.

The combination of her deafness, illness and youth make her particularly vulnerable, according to Hilgendorf. Compounding the worry is the fact that Chilly has very little fur and is possibly being kept outside.

“We just want to know that she’s safe,” Hilgendorf said.

A $500 reward is offered for Chilly’s safe return.

Virgin Blue accused of losing deaf, mute woman after Melbourne flight

Virgin Blue accused of losing deaf, mute woman after Melbourne flight

A DEAF woman who boarded a flight in Melbourne went missing at Brisbane Airport for five hours and missed a connecting flight because Virgin Blue staff failed to assist her, despite assurances to her relatives they would do so, her nephew claims.

Surge Singh booked the Monday morning flight for his 38-year-old aunt Saras Wati, who is also mute and unable to read or write English, to her homeland Fiji after being promised staff would make sure they helped her onto the connecting international flight in Brisbane.

But he was later told Virgin Blue staff did not know there was a special needs passenger on board and after a frantic search the woman was found in a distressed state several hours later by staff from another airline who noticed her wandering the airport.

"It was a nightmare,'' Mr Singh said today.

"My Mum and my sister were bawling their eyes out all day on Monday.''

Mr Singh said he rang Virgin Blue on Sunday night to ensure assistance would be provided.

He checked his aunt in at 4.30am on Monday and was again assured by the check-in staff and cabin crew that she would be looked after.

But just after 10am he received a call from Pacific Blue saying the passenger did not board the connecting flight to Nadi in Fiji.

Virgin Blue staff did not contact him until around noon.

When Mr Singh asked who they were looking for they said "a hearing impaired person''.

"I said, 'what does a hearing impaired person look like?' and described what she was wearing,'' Mr Singh said.

"They said she must have run off the plane without telling anyone.''

Mr Singh then called police, but received a phone call about 2pm saying Ms Wati had been found by staff from another airline and taken to the Pacific Blue counter after she showed them her itinerary.

Fortunately a Pacific Blue member who spoke Hindi, which Ms Wati can lip read, offered to look after her overnight and she flew back to Fiji the next day.

"My biggest frustration was Virgin Blue,'' Mr Singh said.

"They basically said they couldn't do anything more (to find her).

"At one stage they tried to blame it back on me. Someone from Pacific Blue told me that Virgin Blue didn't know there was a special needs person on the plane.

"It was very traumatic for her. When she got home she told family she knew she was lost but couldn't do anything.''

Mr Singh has made an official complaint via Virgin Blue's website and believes the airline should be held accountable.

Comment is being sought from Virgin Blue.

No deaf camp resolution yet

No deaf camp resolution yet

The zoning debate that held up the use of the Ontario Camp of the Deaf for motocross and ATV races this summer is still up in the air, but getting closer to a resolution.

The Seguin Township camp’s racetrack is used weekly for non-camp-related local dirt bike and ATV practices and is part of the competition circuit for the motorized sports. The property is also used for the annual Rock Crawl four-by-four skills competition and was the site of the 2008 National Enduro Championships.

It’s use as a race track is historic, dating back to within the former Foley Township, which amalgamated with Humphrey, Christie and Rosseau to form Seguin Township in 1997. Despite the history, with neighbours’ complaints about noise, the property was discovered to not have the zoning for the non-camp-related activities in 2008 when the Enduro went to the township for permission to use a section of a township road while hosting an event at the camp. The township granted special permission to continue with the historic use of the land for the last two summers while the two sides ironed out the issues and studied the noise levels.

Last summer, the township wanted the camp to apply for re-zoning, but standing on the principle that it was a use permitted during the Foley years, Derek Rumball, executive director of Ontario Camp for the Deaf, refused to at the recommendation of his lawyer.

“I believe that very shortly, in the new year, the township and I, the camp, will be issuing a statement resolving the issues - from large issues of zoning compliance to housekeeping issues and some compliance issues for the camp,” said Rumball.

Both sides conducted noise studies last year - the township in June during a Motocross event and the camp in August during an ATV race. The file is now waiting for a peer review of the camp’s results by the township’s consultant.

“They’ve taken a different approach to their noise study. We’re not noise experts so we need our consultant to tell us (the results),” said Tom Stockie, township chief administrative officer.

The consultants would also suggest possible ways to decrease the sound emanating from the camp by using mufflers, a fence or berming.

“We’re putting together a package of information,” said township chief administrative officer Tom Stockie. “What we’ll probably be doing is bringing it to council and having some meetings in the spring.”

Township councillors should have a package on the zoning and noise issues in February, and, if not resolved by the 2010 race season, council could grant another year’s exception to the zoning use, he said.

In the meantime, Rumball is looking toward next year’s race schedule and hoping to “put this to bed.”

Deaf cat in need of a new home

Deaf cat in need of a new home

Let's start off with Boo Boo.

This cat loves attention and will follow you around.

This 5-year-old male is deaf, so he needs to be indoors only.

He does, however, like short walks on a leash either early in the morning or early evening.

He prefers to be the only cat in a home but may do well with another.

Boo Boo is house-trained and he can be found at the Santa Maria Valley Humane Society.

Sunday, December 13, 2009

Another Great Conversation With A Scammer

My scammer flagging network works!

Enjoy!

Richard Roehm

++++++++++++++++++++++

(01:42:16 PM)
(pos scammer) newslotto01: hello
(01:42:44 PM) Nesmuth827: hi scammer
(01:43:03 PM)(pos scammer) newslotto01: why ?
(01:43:09 PM)(pos scammer) newslotto01: you are rude
(01:43:28 PM) Nesmuth827: because it says (01:42:16 PM)(pos scammer) newslotto01: hello
(01:43:47 PM) Nesmuth827: i dont decide but the network warns me
(01:43:59 PM) Nesmuth827: so whats the latest scam youre gonna try on me?
(01:44:33 PM)(pos scammer) newslotto01: am on my offical work not scam
(01:45:21 PM) Nesmuth827: the network warn me your id is scammer
(01:45:39 PM)(pos scammer) newslotto01: i dont
(01:45:52 PM)(pos scammer) newslotto01: okay i want you to understand me better
(01:45:53 PM)(pos scammer) newslotto01: okay
(01:45:58 PM) Nesmuth827: someone flagged you as scammer and warn me and others
(01:46:21 PM)(pos scammer) newslotto01: who is that
(01:46:29 PM)(pos scammer) newslotto01: that been a big lie to me
(01:46:33 PM) Nesmuth827: the network
(01:46:41 PM)(pos scammer) newslotto01: there lot scammer online
(01:46:48 PM) Nesmuth827: and youre one of them
(01:47:03 PM)(pos scammer) newslotto01: but we do legal works
(01:47:10 PM)(pos scammer) newslotto01: i dont
(01:47:25 PM) Nesmuth827: you from biafra nigeria too?
(01:47:42 PM)(pos scammer) newslotto01: nope
(01:47:50 PM)(pos scammer) newslotto01: am from USA
(01:48:16 PM) Nesmuth827: ok who's picture is on a $5 bill?
(01:49:07 PM)(pos scammer) newslotto01: where is that ?
(01:49:21 PM) Nesmuth827: youre not from USA!
(01:49:30 PM)(pos scammer) newslotto01: yes
(01:51:00 PM) Nesmuth827: prove it
(01:51:18 PM)(pos scammer) newslotto01: there are lot scammers from africa general
(01:51:29 PM)(pos scammer) newslotto01: you can vist our web sit
(01:51:46 PM)(pos scammer) newslotto01: www.usadeaflottery.webs.com
(01:52:18 PM) Nesmuth827: go take a look at the website
(01:52:29 PM)(pos scammer) newslotto01: ok
(01:53:45 PM) Nesmuth827: and maybe you can tell me what's wrong with that website
(01:54:15 PM)(pos scammer) newslotto01: is under mantainace
(01:55:25 PM) Nesmuth827: oh yeah? why does it say " If you are the site owner, please contact
Our Abuse Team regarding the status of your website. "
?
(01:56:02 PM) Nesmuth827: the key word, my friend, is "Our Abuse Team" says a lot about WHO YOU ARE
(01:56:23 PM)(pos scammer) newslotto01: am not the only one here
(01:56:23 PM)(pos scammer) newslotto01: this is an organisation support by the govt
(01:56:41 PM)(pos scammer) newslotto01: who is your frined ?
(01:57:21 PM) Nesmuth827: Ok buddy I have to go pick up some furniture for a blind woman and I'm sure you'll understand I'm not going to do any business with you.
(01:57:30 PM) Nesmuth827: good bye
(01:57:41 PM) Nesmuth827: have a sweet day mr scammer!
(01:58:55 PM)(pos scammer) newslotto01: okay
(01:58:57 PM)(pos scammer) newslotto01: byee