>From Jason:
Just an FYI for everyone…there is going to be a meeting of the new planning council (formerly the Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities) tomorrow at the Governor’s tower downtown. I would STRONGLY suggest any & all parents who can be there BE there…this is an entirely new Council with some thinkers on it that are still stuck in the 1960’s when it comes to self advocacy and institutionalization. If you don’t want what used to be a GREAT resource for families & self advocates to become nothing but another “think tank” that takes no REAL action on issues…it is IMPORTANT that you participate. Tomorrow is your chance.
Although this is supposed to be a PUBLIC meeting…no notices are visible on the Secretary of State’s office website (the minimum for posting public notices). I am a former staff member for the previous Council, and I only heard about this by accident.
It is being run by their new “chair” who is supposed to be unaffiliated politically, but happens to serve as the Chairman of District 11’s Republican party…now I am not speaking politics…but it seems like ANYONE who is in leadership of a public body like this (non-partisan) SHOULD NOT be allowed to hold this position of leadership with an organization of one party or the other…but what can I say? It’s Governor appointed…
DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES PLANNING COUNCIL
SEPTEMBER 22, 2009
10:00 a.m. – 2:00pm
ARIZONA STATE CAPITOL – First Floor Conference Room
1700 West Washington Street
Phoenix, Arizona 85007