County Commisioner John Pekas Blames ADA

[Kristi]

http://www.argusleader.com/apps/pbcs...=2007710170326

They are redoing the parking lot at the county courthouse and have been backed up with numerous problems, but county commissioner John Pekas BLAMES the ADA for the extra costs.

"The only reason we are even repaving this parking lot is because the Department of Justice and their ADA task force came in and demanded," Commissioner John Pekas said. "If you want to start adding up why we're doing this, you can look at the federal government and a bureaucracy that's run amok."

The previous parking lot was a shit hole for a lack of a better word and needed to be redone. There were no van accessible parking spots, tight corners, the side walk wasn't wide enough to open the door and turn your chair unless ya fell off, etc. I know he is just looking for someone to blame for the extra costs, but to blame the disabled community was uncalled for. He'll be getting a nice letter from me next week.

Well Federal Law outranks county and city law. I'm NOT surprised that he is complaining though. In persuing my case against the bar in town and talking to numerous city officials - most don't even KNOW a little bit of the ADA Law, let alone what is right or wrong.

They preach so much about Sioux Falls being accessible, but then they get boneheads like this running our county and city.

[WheelieMike]

Guys like this one needs to spend about a week in a chair during the winter. That might change his thoughts.

[68cougar]

Originally Posted by WheelieMike

Guys like this one needs to spend about a week in a chair during the winter. That might change his thoughts.

I agree!!!!! He better hope karma never comes back to bite him in the ass!!

[SCI-Nurse]

Is this jerk elected or appointed? If elected, I would recommend you lead the charge to get him voted out next time. Sounds just like those who blamed higher school costs on desegregation. A bigot in sheep's clothing.

(KLD)

[wheelchairTITAN]

Originally Posted by Kristi

http://www.argusleader.com/apps/pbcs...=2007710170326

They are redoing the parking lot at the county courthouse and have been backed up with numerous problems, but county commissioner John Pekas BLAMES the ADA for the extra costs.



The previous parking lot was a shit hole for a lack of a better word and needed to be redone. There were no van accessible parking spots, tight corners, the side walk wasn't wide enough to open the door and turn your chair unless ya fell off, etc. I know he is just looking for someone to blame for the extra costs, but to blame the disabled community was uncalled for. He'll be getting a nice letter from me next week.

Well Federal Law outranks county and city law. I'm NOT surprised that he is complaining though. In persuing my case against the bar in town and talking to numerous city officials - most don't even KNOW a little bit of the ADA Law, let alone what is right or wrong.

They preach so much about Sioux Falls being accessible, but then they get boneheads like this running our county and city.

Kristi ... I hope you write the local newspaper with your thoughts about who really should be to blame. William

[Foolish Old]

Quote:
"The only reason we are even repaving this parking lot is because the Department of Justice and their ADA task force came in and demanded," Commissioner John Pekas said.

Mr. Pekas points out that many municipalities must be sued under federal statues before they will even consider upholding the law they are sworn to obey. You would think that after 17 years of ADA, they would understand the benefit of being proactive in creating accessible communities prior to litigation. You would be wrong.

Go get 'um, Kristi!

[Tufelhunden]

May you release the hounds upon this societal cancer.

[MattGimpin]

wow that's really fuct up! Congrats for writing the letter, good on ya! Yeah, write the newspaper too!

[Tiger Racing]

Originally Posted by Kristi

He'll be getting a nice letter from me next week.

Send a copy to your local paper, too.

C.

[cass]

does this person have an official email we can all write to?