Fred.Hatfield@p7.f5.n396.z1.fidonet.org (Fred Hatfield) (12/01/90)
Index Number: 12097
In a message of <24 Nov 90 14:44:39>, Chris Brown (1:163/113) writes:
CB>What sort of parking provisions are there for disabled there? They had
CB>to change the whole system in Ontario. We used to be able to get
CB>liscence plates, but they found the plates made disabled into marks for
CB>crime and harassment, so they've gone to a more discrete system.
There are widespread reserved parking spaces at businesses with the
usual attendant abuse by some. Handicapped license plates are
available and there are also reserved handicapped parking meters
around public offices.
I haven't heard of overly harassment or crime on the handicapped,
at least not any more than on the abled. There is a lot of crime
here possibly because of the large number of uneducated, unemployed
and being a port for the illegal drug trade. However, the most
recent survey shows us to be something like 35th in the country
percentagewise.
New Orleans has always been a haven for the 'economically disabled'
-- most of our public events (Mardis Gras, French Quarter Festival,
etc.) are open and alcoholic beverages are cheap and readily
available -- even in neighborhood drugstores and groceries. Public
imbibing is allowed, everything is open 24 hours a day. Street
performers abound, local brass jazz bands parade the streets often
inviting spectators to follow in the 'second line' with colorful
umbrellas and street dancing.
We have one of the largest and fastest growing art communities in
the world. Three particular sections of town have become 'meccas'
of artistic creativeness and house galleries and living quarters
for many painters, musicians, writers and filmmakers.
We have public parades and celebrations almost constantly. As I
mentioned before, its like living in an adult Disneyland. I love
it!
Fred Hatfield K8VDU @ NN5F.LA.USA.NA ...from the digital cottage...
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Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!396!5.7!Fred.Hatfield
Internet: Fred.Hatfield@p7.f5.n396.z1.fidonet.orgChris.Brown@f223.n163.z1.fidonet.org (Chris Brown) (12/04/90)
Index Number: 12185
your reputation as a music and cultural centre reached here a long
time ago, of course, but it's nice to know it's growing. We had
some problems with people following disabled persons (with
identifying license plates) following them home, or targetting them
for harassment and crime. So the province changed the way disabled
register for driving and parking priviledges so that the notice the
car is driven by a disabled person can be removed when not in use,
at a parking lot, for instance. I wish I could say Orleans is a
mecca for artistic development, but such is not the case. Except
for a couple of unique individuals who have made their names
elsewaher, we are a bedroom community with mini-malls, a large
shopping centre, and gas bars. We do have the area's only BBS for
disabled persons, run by Jean-Pierre Beland (a regular on this
echo). But other than that the biggest activity is teenagers with
nothing to do wishing there were facilities or activities of
interest to take part in. If we really want excitement we have to
go to Montreal, which is worth the two hour drive, or Toronto,
which is not worth the fivehours. However, as its the national
capital, there are a lot of interesting organizations and
government facilities on pretty well every subject you'd want to
get into.
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Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!163!223!Chris.Brown
Internet: Chris.Brown@f223.n163.z1.fidonet.orgFred.Hatfield@p7.f5.n396.z1.fidonet.org (Fred Hatfield) (12/04/90)
Index Number: 12186
In a message of <26 Nov 90 00:06:49>, Chris Brown (1:163/223) writes:
CB>your reputation as a music and cultural centre reached here a long time
CB>ago, of course, but it's nice to know it's growing. We had some
CB>problems with people following disabled persons (with identifying
CB>license plates) following them home, or targetting them for harassment
CB>and crime. So the province changed the way disabled register for
CB>driving and parking priviledges so that the notice the car is driven by
CB>a disabled person can be removed when not in use, at a parking lot, for
CB>instance. I wish I could say Orleans is a mecca for artistic
Since posting the information about the handicapped licenses, I
have discovered that they follow a new procedure now -- A heavy
cardboard license about the size of a license plate with a photo of
the registrant. Evidently it is placed on the dashboard in view
when someone uses a handicapped parking place. That way it can be
'tucked away' when not in use so there is no telltale license plate
in use.
That also allows the useage of automobiles other than one with a
dedicated plate.
CB>development, but such is not the case. Except for a couple of unique
CB>individuals who have made their names elsewaher, we are a bedroom
CB>community with mini-malls, a large shopping centre, and gas bars. We
We have a lot of strange bars down here, but I have never seen a gas bar... :-)
CB>do have the area's only BBS for disabled persons, run by Jean-Pierre
CB>Beland (a regular on this echo). But other than that the biggest
CB>activity is teenagers with nothing to do wishing there were facilities
CB>or activities of interest to take part in. If we really want
CB>excitement we have to go to Montreal, which is worth the two hour
CB>drive, or Toronto, which is not worth the fivehours.
CB>However, as its the national capital, there are a lot of interesting
CB>organizations and government facilities on pretty well every subject
CB>you'd want to get into.
My lady runs a local bed and breakfast service for visitors and
tourists and she gets a lot of people that come down here from
Toronto and Montreal. A few years ago, we had a concert with a
Toronto band -- The Toronto Jazzmakers -- that was a sellout.
A couple of weeks ago we had a couple stay at her bed and
breakfast, the husband was blind and had a guide dog. Peggy was
all excited about the beautiful Shepard being in the house, but of
course we couldn't 'fraternize' with him -- but it was gratifying
just seeing that handsome dog doing his job! They were a terrific
couple.
Fred Hatfield K8VDU @ NN5F.LA.USA.NA ...from the digital cottage...
--
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