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<BR>Below see Eric Holm's message. He is asking for CAGDU's support. Please read this before the meeting Sunday so we can discuss it.<BR>
Thank you.<BR>
<BR>
SHANNON L. DILLON<BR><BR><BR> <BR>
> From: mwillows@sbcglobal.net<BR>> To: oberholzerr@msn.com<BR>> CC: shannonldillon@hotmail.com<BR>> Subject: Fw: [Nfbsf] revised draft.<BR>> Date: Tue, 3 Aug 2010 17:53:37 -0700<BR>> <BR>> <BR>> ----- Original Message ----- <BR>> From: "Eric Holm" <ericholm@att.net><BR>> To: <nfbsf@nfbnet.org><BR>> Sent: Tuesday, August 03, 2010 11:52 AM<BR>> Subject: [Nfbsf] revised draft.<BR>> <BR>> <BR>> Greetings and thank you for your thoughts and support on this important <BR>> issue.<BR>> Below is a revised DRAFT of my letter to Mayor Newsom, Please note this is <BR>> not for release.<BR>> <BR>> I'd appreciate the ability to include CAGDU, NAGDU, NFBC, among others as <BR>> supporters to this opposition letter. Please let me know your thoughts.<BR>> <BR>> Eric<BR>> <BR>> DRAFT NOT FOR GENERAL RELEASE<BR>> <BR>> <BR>> RE: Oppose - Elimination of Vicious and Dangerous Animals Unit<BR>> <BR>> Dear Mayor Newsom:<BR>> <BR>> I greatly appreciate our long standing friendship and our work together. I <BR>> recognize, and commend, your administration’s actions in leading the way on <BR>> many issues relating to the rights of people with disabilities. I am writing <BR>> today on behalf of a coalition of blind Californians and organizations that <BR>> provide travel training to the blind. Accordingly, we wish to bring to your <BR>> attention a risk to the public at large and the blind community <BR>> specifically.<BR>> <BR>> The National Federation of the Blind of San Francisco writes in opposition <BR>> to the elimination of the Vicious and Dangerous Animals Unit (Unit) within <BR>> the San Francisco Police Department. Blind travelers who use guide dogs as <BR>> their means of mobility are reliant upon the freedom to travel safely <BR>> through their environment, without the interference of vicious and dangerous <BR>> dogs. A dog attack is a vital issue in our community. The emotional and <BR>> physical results of an attack are devastating, and can result in serious <BR>> injuries to handlers and/or the death of a guide dog or force the $60,000 <BR>> guide dog into early retirement. Referring these crimes to animal care & <BR>> control sends the wrong message and improperly defers criminal enforcement <BR>> to an inappropriate agency. Interfering with the work of a guide dog team is <BR>> indeed a violation of state and federal law; and should be addressed by law <BR>> enforcement.<BR>> <BR>> San Francisco has served as a model for other jurisdictions by having such a <BR>> unit in its organization. The officers in this unit have repeatedly gone <BR>> above and beyond the call of duty – partnering with Guide Dogs for the Blind <BR>> Inc. to create educational materials on the dangers of attacks on guide dogs <BR>> and have repeatedly made themselves available for public speaking <BR>> opportunities to educate people on the services and protections that the <BR>> Vicious and Dangerous Dog Unit provides all residents and visitors of San <BR>> Francisco. Information on this unit, and the protection it provides, has <BR>> traveled throughout the blind community, and doubtless plays a significant <BR>> role in the decisions of blind Californians to travel to San Francisco. <BR>> Other organizations also in opposition to the dissolution of the Unit <BR>> include: (_________)<BR>> <BR>> We recognize the fiscal constraints facing the police department. However, <BR>> the elimination of this program compromises the safety of all guide dog <BR>> users that live, work, and visit San Francisco. As our nation celebrates the <BR>> 20th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, taking such a <BR>> significant step backwards in the protection of the blind is unacceptable. <BR>> We therefore respectfully call upon you to reverse the dangerous decision of <BR>> the Police Department’s abolishment of the Unit and reinstate its officers <BR>> accordingly.<BR>> <BR>> I formally request a meeting with you and a small group of concerned <BR>> Californians to further discuss this issue. My schedule is at your disposal.<BR>> <BR>> Respectfully yours,<BR>> <BR>> <BR>> <BR>> <BR>> <BR>> <BR>> <BR>> ERIC HOLM, JD<BR>> President<BR>> NFBSF<BR>> _______________________________________________<BR>> Nfbsf mailing list<BR>> Nfbsf@nfbnet.org<BR>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfbsf_nfbnet.org<BR>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for Nfbsf:<BR>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfbsf_nfbnet.org/mwillows%40sbcglobal.net <BR>> <BR> </body>
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