Local Commission silences long time advocate

I know not many city officials have openly acknowledged my effort as a disability advocate over the years but I’ve been dedicated making sure that this city makes sure that access to public services and program are accessible to all citizens. Unfortunately because of lack of support by the mayor and city council I’ve been forced to file numerous complaints with state regulatory agencies against the city to forced them to comply. BTW: to date, regarding my complaints with state agencies.

The High school is one of many projects that I had to force the city to comply to ADA standards only because the city continues to ignore them. I’ve served over 30 years on the disability commission and toed the line alone to advocate for many accessibility improvements in the city in my 40 years of advocacy. The Methuen Disability Commission has had no involvement in any attempts of advocacy for far too long.

This evening I attended the commission on disability meeting to update them on many projects that I’m working on to help protect peoples rights to access public services and programs to which I thought my actions would be met with appreciation. However, half-way through my report, approx 2 minutes in…during public participation… I was interrupted by vice chairperson Ashley Smallwood and notified of a five minute speaking limit in public participation. No one else was there to speak so I thought it was disrespectful to say the least. Note: Chairperson Eileen Lee, not present at this meeting.. intimated the five minute rule in an attempt to silence me for my many times criticizing her failed leadership while on the commission.

 It amazed me after the vice chair failed to have members accept the agenda only to prohibit me from updating them on successful actions I’ve taken to get this city to comply to ADA standards. I would think this would be of interest to a group who’s suppose to support accessibly, especially a group who was commissioned to protect the rights of people with disabilities.

I was amazed at the arrogance that a 40 year advocate like myself with years of success in challenging this city in all aspects of discrimination to be treated in this manner by a commission who should be my peers. Her announcement to limit me to speak about many significant victories I’ve accomplished for the good of people with disabilities in a meeting that’s design to support accessibly to disrepect my efforts was surely intentional and disrespectful. Like so many other meetings this evening’s agenda had nothing significant talking points of value to the community.

I’m truly saddened by the lack of representation onthe commission that has failed to challenge this city for their continuing denial to address access issues in accordance to the law. The commission has been nothing more than a chat session for members on topics that are not related to the reason why they were appointed on the commission. I do suggest to any residence if your looking to an attend a chat session you should consider attending a commission meeting. Maybe discussing what one likes in coffee would be an appropriate conversation.

Recently a new member was appointed to the commission and nobody provided him with information to attend this evenings meeting. The commission is an embarrassment and not an effect board to represent people with disabilites. Neil Perry for Mayor has a lot to blame for this. My civil rights again have been violated and the city just doesn’t learn. See you in court Methuen.