On behalf of All Working Blind Individuals that choose to work rather than collect a disability check.
SUBJECT: House Bills 1196; 2230; & 2278
These house bills are attempting to amend Oklahoma Statute Title VII whereby County Commissaries would become exempt from the statute; thereby removing opportunities for blind individuals to become self-supporting rather than depending on a disability check.
In 1994 in the case of Glanz v. McCray, the Tulsa County Commissioners and Sheriff lost the case where they tried to remove a blind individual from making an honest living. Now it seems they are attempting the same battle on a new battlefield.
Mike Spencer, the current blind individual operating the Tulsa County Jail Commissary not only employs his regular full time staff but also employs part-time jail detention officers.
In the year 2016 the following agencies/individuals benefited from the earnings of this county commissary:
Tulsa County Sheriff’s Department $ 110,492.00
Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitative Services nbsp; 73, 662.00
Oklahoma Tax Commission $ 115,016.00
Jail Detention officers & Commissary Employees $ 204,084.00
Aramark (Kiosk and equipment supplier) $ 169,060.00
Oklahoma vendors supplying commissary products $ 653,471.00
Mr. Spencer played OU football through two National Championships then went to work as a dock supervisor until he lost his vision overnight in the mid 1990’s and was forced to quit. He went unemployed for years until he learned of the EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES afforded blind individuals provided by Title VII.
He continues to operate Tulsa County Commissary and deliver commissary goods to inmates when he is never paid by Tulsa County Sheriff’s Department in a timely fashion.
Currently the Tulsa County Sheriff’s Department is behind in payments for goods delivered to inmates by Mr. Spencer to the tune of $ 77,000.00. Delinquent payments are very normal for the Tulsa County Sheriff’s Department but they continue to demand purchase and delivery of commissary goods which Mr. Spencer must pay for while awaits his payment.
It seems that the greed of the Tulsa representatives: Kirby, Mulready and O’Donnell and the Tulsa County Sheriff’s department is more important than allowing blind and other disabled individuals the right to earn a living and contribute to society in a positive manner.
WORKING BLIND INDIVIDUALS ARE BEING TREATED UNFAIRLY.
Mike Spencer
918-640-1807
Updates
Reached 250 supporters
February 27, 2017
February 3, 2017
We just hit 100 signatures and the Tulsa County Sheriff is officially on notice. These commissioners think they can quietly dismantle the right of blind citizens to work for a paycheck but we are proving them wrong.
Reached 100 supporters
February 2, 2017
93 Comments
HB 2230 is the wrong way to finance the Tulsa county jail. If the sheriff can't improve his efficiency and manage his budget any better, he ought to get rid of some prisoners instead of a working blind guy. This is an unfair and unjust cheap shot. The sheriff should be ashamed.
Please Vote NO on House Bills 1196; 2230; & 2278. We have Blind Individuals Managing Commissaries all across the United States and Oklahoma should not be allowed to remove them, thereby giving the blind individual an opportunity to be self-supporting and allowing them to work.
Blind adults of working age have a 70% unemployment rate. Why pick on a blind guy that has a job? Protect Title VII; Say no to exempting the Tulsa County Jail!
This has been a problem for YEARS. The greed of Glanz has continued to the current administration. A recent article in the Tulsa World pointed out that the commissary accounts, run by county jail personnel, are in shambles. Give this honest, hardworking man his due.
Hi all, I was on disability for many years. Then I found this program that helps blind people be employed. I have now been working for 12 years, I no longer collect disability plus I employ three other people. We are all able to support our families because of this program. Please help, ask your representative to vote NO
ALL people should be given the opportunity to work. My grandson is planning to work for a living instead of a handout after high school graduation next couple years.
This is asinine
Sign Petition
We never post to your account. Social sign-in is used only to verify your signature.
Add a comment?
Your signature will be added via . Tell others why you're signing — it's optional.
By signing, you accept our Terms and Privacy Policy and agree to occasional emails about petitions. Unsubscribe anytime.
Share this petition
Share this petition to help it reach more people.
Your share link
On behalf of All Working Blind Individuals that choose to work rather than collect a disability check.
SUBJECT: House Bills 1196; 2230; & 2278
These house bills are attempting to amend Oklahoma Statute Title VII whereby County Commissaries would become exempt from the statute; thereby removing opportunities for blind individuals to become self-supporting rather than depending on a disability check.
In 1994 in the case of Glanz v. McCray, the Tulsa County Commissioners and Sheriff lost the case where they tried to remove a blind individual from making an honest living. Now it seems they are attempting the same battle on a new battlefield.
Mike Spencer, the current blind individual operating the Tulsa County Jail Commissary not only employs his regular full time staff but also employs part-time jail detention officers.
In the year 2016 the following agencies/individuals benefited from the earnings of this county commissary:
Tulsa County Sheriff’s Department $ 110,492.00
Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitative Services nbsp; 73, 662.00
Oklahoma Tax Commission $ 115,016.00
Jail Detention officers & Commissary Employees $ 204,084.00
Aramark (Kiosk and equipment supplier) $ 169,060.00
Oklahoma vendors supplying commissary products $ 653,471.00
Mr. Spencer played OU football through two National Championships then went to work as a dock supervisor until he lost his vision overnight in the mid 1990’s and was forced to quit. He went unemployed for years until he learned of the EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES afforded blind individuals provided by Title VII.
He continues to operate Tulsa County Commissary and deliver commissary goods to inmates when he is never paid by Tulsa County Sheriff’s Department in a timely fashion.
Currently the Tulsa County Sheriff’s Department is behind in payments for goods delivered to inmates by Mr. Spencer to the tune of $ 77,000.00. Delinquent payments are very normal for the Tulsa County Sheriff’s Department but they continue to demand purchase and delivery of commissary goods which Mr. Spencer must pay for while awaits his payment.
It seems that the greed of the Tulsa representatives: Kirby, Mulready and O’Donnell and the Tulsa County Sheriff’s department is more important than allowing blind and other disabled individuals the right to earn a living and contribute to society in a positive manner.
WORKING BLIND INDIVIDUALS ARE BEING TREATED UNFAIRLY.
Mike Spencer
918-640-1807
Updates
Reached 250 supporters
February 27, 2017
February 3, 2017
We just hit 100 signatures and the Tulsa County Sheriff is officially on notice. These commissioners think they can quietly dismantle the right of blind citizens to work for a paycheck but we are proving them wrong.
Reached 100 supporters
February 2, 2017
93 Comments
I am a legally blind 17 year public safety dispatcher. I stand with blind people who want to work and not satisfied with a government hand out. Employment is freedom. Don't take this man's freedom away.
HB 2230 is the wrong way to finance the Tulsa county jail. If the sheriff can't improve his efficiency and manage his budget any better, he ought to get rid of some prisoners instead of a working blind guy. This is an unfair and unjust cheap shot. The sheriff should be ashamed.
Please Vote NO on House Bills 1196; 2230; & 2278. We have Blind Individuals Managing Commissaries all across the United States and Oklahoma should not be allowed to remove them, thereby giving the blind individual an opportunity to be self-supporting and allowing them to work.
Blind adults of working age have a 70% unemployment rate. Why pick on a blind guy that has a job? Protect Title VII; Say no to exempting the Tulsa County Jail!
This has been a problem for YEARS. The greed of Glanz has continued to the current administration. A recent article in the Tulsa World pointed out that the commissary accounts, run by county jail personnel, are in shambles. Give this honest, hardworking man his due.
Hi all, I was on disability for many years. Then I found this program that helps blind people be employed. I have now been working for 12 years, I no longer collect disability plus I employ three other people. We are all able to support our families because of this program. Please help, ask your representative to vote NO
ALL people should be given the opportunity to work. My grandson is planning to work for a living instead of a handout after high school graduation next couple years.
This is asinine
Help this petition grow
Share it with friends to help reach 500 signatures.
Sign Petition
We never post to your account. Social sign-in is used only to verify your signature.
Add a comment?
Your signature will be added via .
Tell others why you're signing — it's optional.
Signing with Google or Facebook verifies your signature instantly — no email needed.
By signing, you accept our Terms and Privacy Policy and agree to occasional emails about petitions. Unsubscribe anytime.
Share this petition
Share this petition to help it reach more people.
Your share link
Petitions like this
Other petitions you might want to support
Scan to share
Anyone who scans this can sign the petition.
I am a legally blind 17 year public safety dispatcher. I stand with blind people who want to work and not satisfied with a government hand out. Employment is freedom. Don't take this man's freedom away.