Gubernatorial Candidates Speak out on Disability Issues
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Promoting Self Determination, Independence, Productivity, Integration, and Inclusion of People with Disabilities Vol. 11, No. 3, October 2007 Make Your Voice Heard - Gubernatorial Candidates Speak Out on Disability Issues On October 20, all Louisianians will have the opportunity to select a candidate for Governor and vote in many other state- wide and local races. The field of candidates for governor is huge – 12 people with very different political and ideological mind sets are currently in the race. In order to help readers of the TriAngle and other people with disabilities navigate through their choices, the TriAngle Editorial Board distributed a questionnaire regarding various issues affecting people with disabilities and seniors to each candidate. Seven candidates, Belinda Alexandrenko, Walter Boasso, Sheldon Forrest, Anthony Gentile, John Georges, Hardy Parkerson and Vinny Mendoza answered the call with information regarding their plans for many offices and programs affecting people with disabilities and seniors. Five other candidates, Foster Camp- bell, T. Lee Horne, Bobby Jindal, Arthur D. “Jim” Nichols, and Mary Volentine Smith did not. The governor is the highest elected official in Louisiana. He or she is involved in all major decisions in the state. He or she also chooses a staff to run various offices and departments, including the Department of Health and Hospitals, Office for Citizens with Developmental Disabilities, the Office of Aging and Adult Ser- vices, the Office of Mental Health and the Governor’s Office of Elderly Affairs. Leaders in these important offices, serving at the request of the governor, make the day to day decisions about policies and programs that directly affect the lives Gubernatorial Candidates 1,2 of people with disabilities. DD Council page 3 Human Dev. Center page 4 Candidates were asked five questions about various disability and senior issues Advocacy Center page 5 in Louisiana. Because of space limitations, only one question and answer is Community Employment 6,7 printed below. The full text of all questions and answers can be found at www. Work Pays Logo 7 advocacyla.org/govsurvey.php. Resources 8 Alternate Assessment Redesign 9 Candidates were asked the following question: The leadership in the Office for Events 10 Citizens with Developmental Disabilities, the Office of Aging and Adult Ser- Tell Us What You Think 10 vices, the Office of Mental Health and the Governor’s Office of Elderly Affairs All Stars 11 are very important to people with disabilities and seniors in Louisiana. Will you All Stars Nominations 11 commit to appointing to the leadership of those offices only people who are well Laws and Policies 12 qualified, experienced in their field and committed to working for and with the FHF of SELA Announcement 12 populations those offices serve? If yes, what qualifications and experience will Upcoming Election 13 you require, in appointing the leadership to these offices? Polling Place Accessibility 13 Residential Options Waiver 14, 15 The TriAngle Editorial Board attempted to contact each candidate several times Thumbs Up and Down 15 using different methods – mail, fax, email and telephone. Below are the re- Candidate Surveys Info 16 sponses received. If the candidate chose not to respond, that is also noted. (Continued on page 2) The TriAngle is a joint publication of the Advocacy Center, Louisiana Developmental Disabilities Council, and Human Development Center. 1 (Continued from page 1) fice will make recommendations from T. Lee Horne Belinda Alexandrenko time to time. No response to survey. I will commit to appointing leadership with centered, qualified and experi- Anthony “Tony G” Gentile Bobby Jindal enced individuals dedicated to improv- I will use the following sentences to No response to survey. ing the lives of people with develop- preface all of my answers; I’m just an mental disabilities through advocacy, everyday person with good common Vinny Mendoza systemic change and capacity building. sense. I committed to turning state Yes, I will appoint only qualified and I will recycle leadership with those government into an elite and respon- experienced professionals to be in knowledgeable about services for indi- sive organization. charge of the Office for Citizens with viduals with developmental disabilities Developmental Disabilities, the Office and available resources, as well as Yes, the leadership in these depart- of Aging and Adult Services, The Of- experience in linking individuals with ments will have a professional de- fice of Mental Health and the Gover- community resources. meanor and skills to be not only an nor’s Office of Elderly Affairs. Each effective leader but also set an exam- head of department will need at least I will require specialized experi- ple of the high level of care providing 3-years in the area of expertise and a ence at the GS-7 (for GS-9), or one and services I am committed to. The Master’s or Doctorate Degree. year of specialized experience at the qualifications of these people I place in GS-9 or equivalent level. Special- charge of these important services will Arthur D. “Jim” Nichols ized experience includes experience range from Mental Health Physicians, No response to survey. that equipped the applicant with the Gerontologists, and Physical thera- particular knowledge, skills, and abili- pists. There will also be a person on Hardy Parkerson ties to perform successfully the duties staff that will report to me on a month- Yes. of the position, and that is typically in ly basis on the progress and status of each department. or related to the work of the position to Mary Volentine Smith be filled. No response to survey. John Georges Yes, I will appoint qualified and ethi- Walter Boasso For additional information on the cal people to lead, guide, and direct the I will appoint people who are highly- gubernatorial candidates, The Council Office of Aging and Adult Services, qualified and motivated to help people for a Better Louisiana, http://www. the Office of Mental Health and the and make Louisiana a better place for cabl.org/Governor.aspx, surveyed Governor’s Office of Elderly Affairs. all individuals who reside here. I will candidates on a wide variety of issues. There will be no patronage, nepotism, not appoint people who are politically- Several candidate debates are sched- or cronyism within my administra- connected, but rather people who are uled to be broadcast throughout the tion. Appointed leaders of these offices qualified to make a difference for the state. Newspapers are another source mentioned, and all offices in the State, people they represent. of information. will have the necessary education, Foster Campbell experience and proven competence to No response to survey. handle all responsibilities and duties of their appointed position. Sheldon Forrest Yes. Unless there are excessive complaints about the performance of Call the Advocacy Center at 1-800- the current appointments or employees 960-7705 for assistance with any they will all remain in place. My of- voting issues on Election Day! The DD Council surveyed all candidates for legislative office on their views on disability related issues. The candidates’ survey responses are available at: http://www.laddc.org/survey2007Results.php 2 Gracie Haggard’s Retirement 2007 Inclusive Schools Art Contest: It is with a heavy heart that the Council bids good- “Inclusion = Everyone” bye to our beloved Gracie Haggard, who retired In recognition of National Inclusive Schools Week September 30th after 22 years of dedicated service (December 3 – 7, 2007), the Louisiana Developmental as the Council’s Executive Secretary. Regardless Disabilities Council, in collaboration with partnering of the task, Gracie accomplished it with profes- organizations, sponsors an annual visual and sionalism and a positive attitude, making Council performance art contest reflecting the theme: Inclusion members, staff, guests and strangers become en- = Everyone. Poster, essay, artwork, and performance deared to her in equal measure. Gracie blessed the art entries must illustrate or describe ideas related to council with her many special gifts – too numerous the theme and inclusion of persons with disabilities. to mention – but the one that stands out most is her patience. For over two decades Gracie met the Winning entries from each category will be displayed needs of innumerable Council members, assisted Saturday, November 3, 2007 from 10:00 AM until Council constituents, and adapted to the idiosyn- 4:00 PM during an Art Demonstration/Exhibit at the crasies of three very different Executive Directors Mall at Cortana in Baton Rouge. Winners will also be with grace and kindness. Our gratitude for her ser- honored at an awards ceremony on December 5, 2007. vice and friendship fuels our sadness over missing Everyone is welcome to participate regardless of age her. However, as her friends and colleagues, we or ability. For more information visit our website at share with her our love and send her off with best www.laddc.org or contact Robbie Gray at 800-450- wishes into her well deserved retirement. 8108 or [email protected]. 647 Main Street Council Baton Rouge, LA 70802 225-342-6804 (Voice) Officers Elected 800-450-8108 225-342-5704 (TDD) Effective October 1, 2007, 800-922-DIAL (3425) the Council’s Executive www.laddc.org Committee will have a new structure. The positions Grant Awards of treasurer, secretary At the July Council meeting, Council members reviewed multiple responses and parliamentarian