[Cagdu] permit process

[Ken Volonte]

Hi Julie.  Thanks again for the Braille proclamation presented to us last 
Tuesday.  I require your help on another matter.

    The California Association of Guide Dog Users, (cagdu) is planning to 
have marches in cities all across Calif.  In trying to talk to someone about 
the process of getting permits, I've run into problems.

    We want to march from Caldwell Park down to Cancun Restaurant for a 
brunch.  I've tried to contact the police who referred me to Parks and Rec 
who haven't gotten back to me at all.  I have been advised that to put on 
this event we have to: rent an ambulance and buy specialized insurance from 
the City of Stockton.

    We want to do this on May 16th, but I don't know as yet how many 
marchers we'll have.  It's too early in the process.  It could be anything 
from two to fifty, so it's hard to make these calculations as to what we'll 
need.

    One thing we'll not need is the closing of streets.  We want to march 
down the sidewalk.  We are arranging for marshals to direct people just in 
case someone drifts wayward, especially at the little jog at Harding.  We'll 
have water stations every five blocks, and the owner of Taste of Britani has 
said that he would donate crêpes just in case people need a snack mid march.

    The president of the National Federation of the Blind of California has 
told us that Cagdu is covered by the NFBC insurance and so we don't need 
specialized event insurance.  If we do need an ambulance and additional 
insurance, I'm afraid that the costs of doing this march would be 
prohibitive.

    I need some guidance as to what we really need and who I can contact for 
the necessary permits.  Any assistance you can offer would be appreciated. 
Thanks for taking this under advisement.

                                Ken Volonte, President, San Joaquin Chapter, 
National                                 Federation of the Blind of 
California