Product of deaf school speaks out

Judge Terror · 05-21-2009, 08:40 PM

By Sharon McBrayer | The News Herald

Published: May 20, 2009

Morganton - Heath Huggins believes all of Burke County needs to rally around the North Carolina School for the Deaf to keep it open.
The school is being threatened with closing due to budget cuts. A recommendation has been made to the North Carolina General Assembly House Appropriations subcommittee on Health and Human services to consolidate the two deaf schools in the state — one in Morganton and one in Wilson — and the Governor Morehead School for the Blind in Raleigh.
Huggins wants folks to contact lawmakers who will decide the fate of the school.
"The deaf community could be lost if the school is closed," Huggins said.
Huggins has several reasons for wanting to see the school remain in operation. He attended the school from kindergarten through fifth grade, before mainstreaming into Burke County Public Schools.
But it was Vocational Rehabilitation on the campus of the school for the deaf that helped Huggins continue his education at Western Carolina University.
Huggins is now a real estate agent in the county. He also helps deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals find jobs and provide support employment.
There are a lot of deaf people who would lose their jobs if the school closes, Huggins said. He also believes people who depend on the school for work, education or services will move away if it closes.
But it's not just the deaf community that will suffer, Huggins said, the entire community as a whole will suffer because of the loss of jobs. The school employee around 220 people.
"If they close, we will lose a lot in this county," Huggins said.
Huggins urges those in the community to contact members of the N.C. House of Representatives Appropriations Subcommittee on Health and Human Services through their e-mail address. They are:
• Beverly M. Earle (Chairman) - Beverly.Earle@ncleg.net
• Bob England, M.D. (Chairman) - Bob.England@ncleg.net
• Verla Insko (Chairman) - Verla.Insko@ncleg.net
• Jeff Barnhart (V. Chairman) - Jeff.Barnhart@ncleg.net
• Jean Farmer-Butterfield (V. Chairman) -
Jean.Farmer-Butterfield@ncleg.net
• William D. Brisson - William.Brisson@ncleg.net
• Justin P. Burr - Justin.Burr@ncleg.net
• Pearl Burris-Floyd - Pearl.Burris-Floyd@ncleg.net
• Nelson Dollar - Nelson.Dollar@ncleg.net
• Wil Neumann - Wil.Neumann@ncleg.net
• Randy Stewart - Randy.Stewart@ncleg.net
Phone numbers for the members can be found at North Carolina General Assembly - Home Page

Product of deaf school speaks out

shel90 · 05-21-2009, 08:41 PM

Not another one! I hope this doesnt create a domino effect. Stupid f###&*%&*^ lawmakers!

Judge Terror · 05-21-2009, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shel90

Not another one! I hope this doesnt create a domino effect. Stupid f###&*%&*^ lawmakers!

It is not too late. Now it is the time to contact legislators in NC to keep NCSD open. Email addresses are provided above.

North Carolina General Assembly
HOUSE PRINCIPAL CLERK’S OFFICE (919) 733-7760 FAX (919) 715-2881
NORTH CAROLINA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
FAX NUMBERS 2007
(H) HOME FAX NUMBER LEGISLATIVE BUILDING: Fax: 919-733-2599
(B) BUSINESS FAX NUMBER LEGISLATIVE OFFICE BUILDING: Fax: 919-733-3113 (rm 109)
(L) LEGISLATIVE FAX NUMBER Fax: 919-715-5815 (rm 618)

Fax them the letters as well.

Must be done before Wednesday, May 27, 2009 when the vote is due to take place regarding the fate of NCSD.

shel90 · 05-21-2009, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Judge Terror

It is not too late. Now it is the time to contact legislators in NC to keep NCSD open. Email addresses are provided above.

North Carolina General Assembly
HOUSE PRINCIPAL CLERK’S OFFICE (919) 733-7760 FAX (919) 715-2881
NORTH CAROLINA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
FAX NUMBERS 2007
(H) HOME FAX NUMBER LEGISLATIVE BUILDING: Fax: 919-733-2599
(B) BUSINESS FAX NUMBER LEGISLATIVE OFFICE BUILDING: Fax: 919-733-3113 (rm 109)
(L) LEGISLATIVE FAX NUMBER Fax: 919-715-5815 (rm 618)

Fax them the letters as well.

Must be done before Wednesday, March 27, 2009 when the vote is due to take place regarding the fate of NCSD.

It is already past March 27...

Babyblue · 05-21-2009, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shel90

It is already past March 27...

confused as well.. Could he mean 2010?

Judge Terror · 05-21-2009, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Babyblue

confused as well.. Could he mean 2010?

Typo. I meant May 27, 2009.

That's on next Wednesday.

dreama · 05-21-2009, 09:20 PM

I keep my fingers crossed for this school. It would be a real shame if it closes down.

Judge Terror · 05-21-2009, 09:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dreama

I keep my fingers crossed for this school. It would be a real shame if it closes down.

We can't just cross our fingers an hope for the best. We have to speak up and educate the legislators in why they should spend money to keep the deaf school open.

dreama · 05-21-2009, 09:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Judge Terror

We can't just cross our fingers an hope for the best. We have to speak up and educate the legislators in why they should spend money to keep the deaf school open.

I live in england. Is their anything I can do from the other side of the pond?

Judge Terror · 05-21-2009, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dreama

I live in england. Is their anything I can do from the other side of the pond?

Bob.England@ncleg.net, Verla.Insko@ncleg.net, Jeff.Barnhart@ncleg.net, Jean.Farmer-Butterfield@ncleg.net, William.Brisson@ncleg.net, Justin.Burr@ncleg.net, Pearl.Burris-Floyd@ncleg.net, Nelson.Dollar@ncleg.net, Wil.Neumann@ncleg.net, Randy.Stewart@ncleg.net

Just send those folks above an email. Explain to them why you think they should keep North Carolina School for the Deaf. Must be done by Tuesday night. Check your private email for a letter sample.

Thanks for your help!

rockin'robin · 05-21-2009, 09:56 PM

I just did! Sent them an email. Best of luck NCSD!!

Judge Terror · 05-21-2009, 10:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockin'robin

I just did! Sent them an email. Best of luck NCSD!!

Thanks! Every bit helps! The state legislature in Raleigh will find out that the deaf community will not go silent on this issue!

05-21-2009, 08:40 PM	#1 (permalink)
Judge Terror Registered User Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 20	Product of deaf school speaks out By Sharon McBrayer \| The News Herald Published: May 20, 2009 Morganton - Heath Huggins believes all of Burke County needs to rally around the North Carolina School for the Deaf to keep it open. The school is being threatened with closing due to budget cuts. A recommendation has been made to the North Carolina General Assembly House Appropriations subcommittee on Health and Human services to consolidate the two deaf schools in the state — one in Morganton and one in Wilson — and the Governor Morehead School for the Blind in Raleigh. Huggins wants folks to contact lawmakers who will decide the fate of the school. "The deaf community could be lost if the school is closed," Huggins said. Huggins has several reasons for wanting to see the school remain in operation. He attended the school from kindergarten through fifth grade, before mainstreaming into Burke County Public Schools. But it was Vocational Rehabilitation on the campus of the school for the deaf that helped Huggins continue his education at Western Carolina University. Huggins is now a real estate agent in the county. He also helps deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals find jobs and provide support employment. There are a lot of deaf people who would lose their jobs if the school closes, Huggins said. He also believes people who depend on the school for work, education or services will move away if it closes. But it's not just the deaf community that will suffer, Huggins said, the entire community as a whole will suffer because of the loss of jobs. The school employee around 220 people. "If they close, we will lose a lot in this county," Huggins said. Huggins urges those in the community to contact members of the N.C. House of Representatives Appropriations Subcommittee on Health and Human Services through their e-mail address. They are: • Beverly M. Earle (Chairman) - Beverly.Earle@ncleg.net • Bob England, M.D. (Chairman) - Bob.England@ncleg.net • Verla Insko (Chairman) - Verla.Insko@ncleg.net • Jeff Barnhart (V. Chairman) - Jeff.Barnhart@ncleg.net • Jean Farmer-Butterfield (V. Chairman) - Jean.Farmer-Butterfield@ncleg.net • William D. Brisson - William.Brisson@ncleg.net • Justin P. Burr - Justin.Burr@ncleg.net • Pearl Burris-Floyd - Pearl.Burris-Floyd@ncleg.net • Nelson Dollar - Nelson.Dollar@ncleg.net • Wil Neumann - Wil.Neumann@ncleg.net • Randy Stewart - Randy.Stewart@ncleg.net Phone numbers for the members can be found at North Carolina General Assembly - Home Page Product of deaf school speaks out

05-21-2009, 08:41 PM	#2 (permalink)
shel90 In a pink and black world Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: In the land of the free Posts: 24,014 Blog Entries: 3	Not another one! I hope this doesnt create a domino effect. Stupid f###&%&^ lawmakers! __________________ Shel~ "A child educated only at school is an uneducated child." -George Santayana

05-21-2009, 09:20 PM	#7 (permalink)
dreama deafblind vegan Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: England Posts: 3,018	I keep my fingers crossed for this school. It would be a real shame if it closes down. __________________ I speak for those who cannot speak for themselves. http://www.fightfoca.com/

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05-21-2009, 09:56 PM	#11 (permalink)
rockin'robin Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Jacksonville, Florida Posts: 2,782	I just did! Sent them an email. Best of luck NCSD!!