HAVOC

             NEWSLETTER

         Volusia.com/HAVOC/index.htm

           October 5^th, 2005                                          Newsletter editor:  Paul Burge 

             OFFICERS   

                 PRESIDENT………..…............(386) 760-3180 ……David Dixon

                 VICE PRESIDENT…………...(386) 322-7955 …… Paul Burge

                 SECRETARY…………………(386) 763-2464 …….Grace Harris

                 TREASURER…   ...(386) 740-9319  W: 274-0648..Carol Carmella

                 CORRESPONDING SEC’Y…(386) 676-2942 …….A.J. Devies

Call to Order ………………………………………President, David Dixon

Introductions:

Program……………………Update on Medicare Prescription Drug Program  

                                          Donna Maitland, Assistant Director, SSA

Minutes of September 7, 2005 Meeting ……………Grace Harris, Secretary

Financial Report…………………………………..Carol Carmella, Treasurer

Business……………………………………………President Dixon

                                      Committee Reports:

Membership/Publicity……………………………..Nick Nagy

Fundraising………………………………………..Joan Cleary

Pedestrian Safety………………………………….Michael Porter

Accessibility………………………………………AJ Devies

Member Comments:

Announcements:

Adjournment:

HAVOC

President’s Message

October, 2005

Because there are so many issues HAVOC is involved in, there will be a separate “Special Report” with the newsletter.

We need to thank Mark O’Keefe with EVAC for the timely presentation on Hurricane Preparation at the September meeting. Mark stayed for the whole meeting and when he heard our plight about trying to find a DJ for the Beach Party Picnic he volunteered Bob Puckett for the whole day. EVAC and Mr. Puckett will be splitting the cost of his services.

We have a great lineup for the Beach Party Picnic. AJ Devies has arranged for her Massage Therapist to give free chair massages during the picnic. Thanks a lot AJ. Grace Harris, the Picnic chairperson, is planning a lot of fun activities along with rides on the jet ski’s and rescue boats. This promises to be the best picnic ever. See details in the member’s corner.

If you are as confused as I am about the new Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit Program, you definitely will want to attend the October 5 HAVOC meeting. We will have an expert from Social Security, Donna Maitland on the program. Bring your questions on the Prescription Drug Benefit Progam and Social Security Administration.

I was very pleased with the turnout for the September meeting. I hope to see all of you at the picnic and at the October business meeting.

David E. Dixon

President

386-760-3180

seemor@bellsouth.net

HAVOC

Special Report

·        Voting Machine Issue

The NFB has filed another appeal with the 11^th  District Court of Appeals in Atlanta Georgia,  to again try to force the Volusia County Council to purchase the Diebold Touch Screen Voting Machines. While the machines meet the needs of the blind population, they do not meet the needs of individuals with other types of disabilities. Because HAVOC represents all handicapped individuals, we have voted consistently in favor of the Council’s decision to explore other accessible voting machines that will serve all handicapped, elderly, general public and also provide a paper ballot for verification in the event of a recount. To this end, another Amicus Brief is being filed on behalf of HAVOC. Joining with HAVOC on the brief are our attorneys with Electronic Frontier Foundation and five (5) other National Organizations to state our position regarding the Diebold Machines. There are other machines better suited for the disabled that will be certified in time for the County to be in compliance with Help America Vote Act (HAVA) by January, 2006. We will keep you informed on the development as it occurs.

·        A1A Beautification Project

HAVOC recently participated in an Accessibility Audit on the new A1A Beautification Project in Daytona Beach. It was discovered that there were several violations, including Palm Trees planted in the middle of the sidewalks. President Dixon made a presentation to the MPO about the problems and a newspaper article prompted a meeting with City of Daytona Beach, FDOT and other concerned citizens. Due to pressure from the public and HAVOC, the trees are slated to be moved from the sidewalks beginning September 22. A list of violations was prepared by AJ Devies, HAVOC’s Accessibility Chairperson, and presented to the City and FDOT. They have promised to fix problems that are in violation of the FDOT and ADAAG standards. We will be following up on the progress. 

HAVOC

September 7, 2005 Meeting Minutes

President David Dixon called the meeting to order at 1:00 p.m.

There were 21 members and 3 guests present.

At this time we took time to enjoy the food, meeting resumed after everyone had there food.

Introductions were done at this time.

 President Dixon introduced the speaker: Paramedic Mark O’Keefe. (Community Information Officer) He was here to talk to everyone about getting ready for and the hurricane. There’s a better way of protecting your self before it hits. And there are ways to protect your self when it hits home. He gave everyone lots of information on where to go and how to get help. He also told us there is a 120 hour head notice before a hurricane hits.  Then he ask around the room questions on how or if they were going to leave or try and ride it out?  There was lots of question and he did his best to answer ever one. If you would like to get information about this there is a web page at: www.EVACamb.org .

President Dixon introduced our second speaker: Her name is Mary Schoelzel. (Department of Transportation) She talked to the group about transportation. She talked about the Palm trees on A1A that are blocking the sidewalks. These are very hard for any handicapped to get around them. She told us there working on the laws to get them removed.  Also she is working on bad sidewalks that need lots of repairs. For more information her email is: mary-schoelzel@dot.state.fla.us 

or call her at 386-943-5000

A motion was made and seconded to accept the minutes of Aug 3, 2005

President Dixon at this time asks if any one had any old business to talk about. And at this time President Dixon had updated us on the voting machine and let us knows where we stand and how things are moving on. At this time he asks for new business and there was nothing at this time.

President Dixon asked for Committee Reports

Carol Carmella, Treasurer:   Last month’s balance $902.97

As of Sept 7 there is now $910.97

Michael Porter. Pedestrian Safety Chairman: Still waiting for funds to be allocated from the state.

 AJ Devies, Accessibility Chairman:   AJ talked about the palm trees that were blocking the sidewalks on A1A and she also is working very close with Mary Schoelzel from Dept of Transportation. She is also working on the paper trail on the ballets from the one’s that vote from home.

Nick Nagy, Membership/Publicity Chairperson: He thanks all the new member’s for coming. Told us that the ads from Penny Saver and News-Journal are working out good for the HAVOC group. Please keep inviting people. Any ideas for Nick Nagy would be greatly appreciated

Joan Cleary, Fundraising Committee: You may buy 50/50 tickets before the meeting and after the meeting. Drawing will be held after the meeting is adjourned. The lucky winner this month is Elizabeth    Congratulation!!

Alice Melanson our Sunshine Lady:   She read off all the birthdays for the month.

LETS ALL HAVE LOTS OF FUN AND FOOD!!

THE PICNIC WILL BE SEPT 24, 2005 ON A SAT.

FROM 11:00AM TO 3:00PM

EVERYONE BRING A COVERED DISH.

(Meeting adjourned at 2:55 pm.)

                        Respectfully Submitted:

                           Recording Secretary, Grace Harris

MEMBERS CORNER

A. J. Devies

Chairman, HAVOC Accessibility Committee: (386) 676-2942 ajdevies@att.net

Officer Daniel Garcia

Daytona Beach Police Department

Traffic/Parking Enforcement

Office: 671-5366 from 8:00am to 9:00am and 3:00pm to 4:00pm

Cell: 547-9781 at other times

1-800-949-4ada (1-800-949-4232) ADA Tech Support

1-800-514-0301 Department of Justice - Civil Rights Division

 

1-800-669-9777 HUD/FHA

 

1-850-488-7082 FL Commission on Human Rights

1-877-ada4you (1-877-232-4968) State of FL ADA Working Group

Michael Porter, Pedestrian Safety Chairman

386-255-6573 Community Legal Services of Mid Florida

386-252-7200 Mid Florida Housing

1-800-778-4838 (voice) US Department of Transportation

1-800-455-9880 (TTY

Don’t forget the Annual HAVOC Picnic. It will be at the Lighthouse Point Park in Ponce Inlet September 24th. Come join us in the fun.

Written Directions from Votran to the

ANNUAL BEACH Picnic September 24^th

At Light House Point Park

October Birthdays & Events

Libra: September 23 – October 22

Scorpio October 23 – November 21

Birthstone: Opal, Tourmaline