Re: Re: RE; public transportation

[Guest guest]

I do think we probably need to raise taxes for the waiting list of 17,000

individuals with developmental disabilities and countless more with mental

illness so that they can all receive the supports and services they need. That

said, I also think that rebalancing needs to happen so that equity in services,

such as transportation can occur across the state and someone needs to stop our

esteemed Governor from giving free transportation to Gold Coast seniors...that

alone with suck up and waste countless dollars...

Ellen

Ellen Garber Bronfeld

egskb@...

RE; public transportation

>

>

> I have read many things on public transportation in the past

> about 'benefits' on free transportation for special abled. You

are

> really lucky to be able to participate in this program. I was

just

> reading the headlines and have been following public

transportation

> in southern IL and all our nes is a buzz about is increasing

rates

> and cutting back service. I am not too upset over this because we

> have no service anyway. My son cannot benefit from public

> transportation because we live in rural town called Millstadt, 7

> miles ooutside of Belleville. When he was in school we had

> transportation to gradeschool and highschool but after that, it

has

> been and will always be our responsibility to get him where he

needs

> to go. Even when he participated in some programs we were told if

we

> could get him to the edge of town they would pick him up, but

they

> could not come into town. I felt this was splitting hairs but

> decided not to start the battle. Everything has to be a battle

just

> to acquire things that most take for granted.

>

> It would be so nice if those who had benefits would appreciate

what

> they have, and instead of always wanting more for themselves,

spread

> it around for the rest who have nothing!

>

> Just my thoughts!

>

> Kathy

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I recently saw Terry Varnett...she spoke a bit about other states and the

taxing number. Our state income tax is nearly half that in her state of

mA. where services are very good. I would support a tax increase if I was

promised people with disabilities would benefit. The last time I

encouraged people to push for a tax increase DuPage county brokered a deal

with the state to use the increase of sales tax that was understood to go

for transit/para transit , and used it for public safety. This was a tax

increase even the chamber of commerce supported, understanding the funds

would go to transit. I believe we have to look after those who cant on

their own, we have to pay for it. I am just not sure this state will

actually put the money where we, the advocates think it will go. In the

mean time I keep seeing more and more levels of government/agency

employment where middle class people are getting hired to " help " people with

disabilities get jobs, and other quality of life opportunities...more funds

goinmg that way, but people with disabilities' lives are NOT improving. Of

course if we agree to support a tax increase, do we just surrender that so

much of it will actually help our people and hope for the best. Cindi

[Guest guest]

::::::::::: APPLAUDING::::::::::::::

I sit back and think of all the freebies and benefits given to seniors just

because of their ages.  Many park districts have senior centers with free or

almost free programs.  Our SRAs don't have the tax revenue to offer this, so we

pay higher prices for these programs.  Free transportation to seniors based on

age - those with disabilities have to be POOR to get them.  Our park district

will accept applications for the RTA pass for seniors, but not for those with

disabilities.  How about all of the places that offer reduced membership prices

for seniors - museums, zoo, park district health club facilities --- those with

disabilities get squat.  I'd be happy if when purchasing a museum or zoo member

ship they recognize that my I am the legal guardian of my adult daughter and

allow her to be considered a 'child'. 

I must admit, I recently went to one of the museums and asked if they had

discounts for those with disabilities and the wonderful employee let my daughter

in for free!!!!

Hey, let's talk about supplemental insurance.  Seniors can get it no

matter what their preexisting is, yet when I applied to these same

companies to get individual insurance policy for our family that

included my daughter, I get turned down.  Also life insurance - how many of you

have tried to get life insurance for your child?  We got Angel's policy right

when she was born - before she was diagnosed.  I doubt if we could get her a

policy now.

Finato

www.AngelSpeaks.com

www.wegrowdreams.org

From: ELLEN BRONFELD <egskb@...>

Subject: Re: Re: RE; public transportation

IPADDUnite

Date: Sunday, November 23, 2008, 8:44 AM

I do think we probably need to raise taxes for the waiting list of

17,000 individuals with developmental disabilities and countless more with

mental illness so that they can all receive the supports and services they need.

That said, I also think that rebalancing needs to happen so that equity in

services, such as transportation can occur across the state and someone needs to

stop our esteemed Governor from giving free transportation to Gold Coast

seniors...that alone with suck up and waste countless dollars...

Ellen

Ellen Garber Bronfeld

egskbsbcglobal (DOT) net

RE; public transportation

>

>

> I have read many things on public transportation in the past

> about 'benefits' on free transportation for special abled. You

are

> really lucky to be able to participate in this program. I was

just

> reading the headlines and have been following public

transportation

> in southern IL and all our nes is a buzz about is increasing

rates

> and cutting back service. I am not too upset over this because we

> have no service anyway. My son cannot benefit from public

> transportation because we live in rural town called Millstadt, 7

> miles ooutside of Belleville. When he was in school we had

> transportation to gradeschool and highschool but after that, it

has

> been and will always be our responsibility to get him where he

needs

> to go. Even when he participated in some programs we were told if

we

> could get him to the edge of town they would pick him up, but

they

> could not come into town. I felt this was splitting hairs but

> decided not to start the battle. Everything has to be a battle

just

> to acquire things that most take for granted.

>

> It would be so nice if those who had benefits would appreciate

what

> they have, and instead of always wanting more for themselves,

spread

> it around for the rest who have nothing!

>

> Just my thoughts!

>

> Kathy

>

>

>

>

>

>