Negligent/Discriminatory Practices and Indifferent Treatment by Toyota Franchises

April 15, 2009

 

Toyota Motor Sales USA

Mr. Yuki Funo, CEO Toyota North America

19001 So. Western Ave., Dept. WC11

Torrance, California 90509

 

Toyota Financial Services

Mr. George Borste, President & CEO

19851 So. Western Avenue

Torrance, California 90509

 

Account Number: 03-0612-CF718

 

My name is Fred Nance Jr. My wife, Darlene Bouyer-Nance, leased a 2008 Toyota Camry from Orland Park Toyota in Illinois. This is Darlene’s 2^nd or 3^rd lease vehicle from Orland Park Toyota. Darlene went to River Oaks Toyota in Calumet City, Illinois to have this car serviced. Darlene was considered the purchase of a new car from Toyota.

 

2008 Toyota Camry Repair:

 

On or about April 7, 2009 Darlene took her “leased” 2008 Toyota Camry to River Oaks Toyota in Calumet City, Illinois. Darlene informed the service advisor (Demetric Campbell #329 is on the receipt/invoice) that her trunk would not open without inserting the key in the trunk lock. The service advisor informed Darlene he inspected the car and found that the latch was broken and inoperative. The service advisor informed Darlene River Oaks Toyota would have to order a trunk latch for the car. Attached is the paid receipt with the note “…needs a trunk latch.”

 

On or about April 8, 2009 Darlene and I took this “leased” 2008 Toyota Camry to the service department of Orland Park Toyota in Orland Park, Illinois. We explained to a service department employee that the trunk would only open with a key. The service department employee examined the car to see if it would open when lifting the latch inside the car. When it did not open, the service department person took the key to the car, inserted it in the trunk lock and turned it counter clockwise. After performing this task, the service department person went to the latch inside the car, pulled it up and the trunk opened. This service department person informed us that someone had put the trunk in “valet” mode. We have not gone anywhere where a valet serviced this car. Generally, I park the car to save money.

 

New Car Purchase:

 

On or about April 7, 2009 my wife engaged an African American salesperson at River Oaks Toyota to buy a new car, while her 2008 Toyota Camry was being serviced. This salesperson conducted a credit check, approved and qualified Darlene to “purchase” a 2009 Toyota Camry for approximately $24,000.00 with a $525.00 monthly payment for 60 months. This salesperson inspected the 2008 Toyota Camry and informed Darlene she would receive a $1700.00 rebate when she turned in the “leased” 2008 Toyota Camry. Darlene wanted to purchase the new Toyota Venza, but was informed she did not qualify for it even though her annual gross wages is $67,000.00.

 

On or about April 8, 2009 Darlene and I took her “leased” 2008 Toyota Camry to Joe Rizza Ford in Orland Park, Illinois engaging a Hispanic male as our salesperson. My wife was approved and qualified to purchase a 2010 Ford Truck for approximately $25,000.00 with a $4000.00 rebate. The Ford salesperson informed Darlene that she was “upside down” in her leased 2008 Toyota Camry. Nevertheless, the salesperson informed Darlene there would be no problem with her purchasing a car from them.

 

On or about April 8, 2009 Darlene and I entered the “showroom” of Orland Park Toyota in Orland Park, Illinois seeking to “buy” a new Toyota, which was the down the street from Joe Rizza Ford. We engaged salesperson Mr. John Tinault. Hector Torres greeted and engaged us as we stated our business for the day was to get out of the “leased” car and purchase a car. Mr. Torres stated he would have someone examine the lease as Mr. Tinault serviced us in choosing a car.

 

Darlene chose a 2010 Toyota Corolla for her purchase. The approximate cost of the car was $24,000.00. Mr. Tinault took Darlene’s personal information, filled out an application and took it to Mr. Torres. Mr. Tinault returned informing Darlene she did not qualify to return her “leased” car and buy a new car. We asked for an explanation, but Mr. Tinault refused an explanation but continued informing Darlene she did not qualify to return her “lease” car and purchase a new car. I asked Mr. Tinault for his business card. Mr. Tinault gave me an Orland Toyota business card where inserted his name stating he was a new employee and did not have business cards.

 

Negligent/Discriminatory Practices and Indifferent Treatment

 

River Oaks Toyota continues to manufacture false damages in their customer’s cars to promote their nefarious acts of deception and negligence. I talked to a previous salesperson of River Oaks Toyota who reports discussions between management and salespersons on their deceptive practices; reporting possible payoffs to officials and police officers of Calumet City, Illinois.

 

River Oaks Toyota continues its deceptive, negligent and unprofessional business practices. I wrote a letter to Mr. Jim Lebo in September of 2005 addressing these practices. I wrote a letter dated October 5, 2005 to the Office of the Attorney General, State of Illinois, Lisa Madigan Attorney General and Ms. Dolores Rodman, Citizen Advocate, Consumer Protection Division reporting these deceptive practices.

 

Orland Park Toyota continues its nefarious acts of retribution and retaliation against its customers. I wrote a letter to Mr. Yuki Funo and Mr. George Borste dated March 27, 2006 reporting a biased analysis of the 2003 Toyota Corolla Darlene “leased” from Orland Park Toyota. I have written other letters detailing these practices. It is our belief that we are being discriminated against and are being treated indifferently by Orland Park Toyota.

 

River Oaks Toyota and Joe Rizza Ford talked about the lease car being “upside down” in its worth. We have a lease agreement for 3 years, starting December 7, 2007 and ending on December 6, 2010. We are allowed 15,000 miles per 12 month period. River Oaks Toyota and Joe Rizza Ford offered rebates to off-set the difference of the worth of the “leased” 2008 Toyota Camry. Orland Park Toyota has rebates, but refused to give or offer Darlene their rebates. This is a retaliatory act against us. This discriminates against us. This is retribution for the letters I have written regarding their dealership services to us.

 

Mr. Funo and Mr. Borste: What will you do about these issues? What are our alternatives? What will you do about these dealerships operating in this manner, which reflects upon the integrity of Toyota? Does this issue rise to the level of arbitration? Also, please explain the “Optional Guarantee Automobile Protection and Optional Mechanics Breakdown Protection” that Darlene initialed on her “Motor Vehicle Lease Agreement Illinois.”

 

Gentlemen, pursuant to the “Fair Credit Act” I expect to receive a letter “detailing” why Darlene was refused purchase of the Toyota Camry from Orland Park Toyota in Orland Park, Illinois.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Fred Nance Jr., ABD, MA, CADC, NCRS  

 

cc:

 

http://clickforjusticeandequality.blogspot.com/

http://clickforjusticeandequality.wordpress.com/

Jim Lebo, General Manager River Oaks Toyota

Jess Jowalis, General Manager Orland Park Toyota

Toyota Financial Services

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission: Illinois Department of Corrections and WestCare Foundation, Inc. Discriminatory Practices

January 29, 2009

Honorable President of the United States
Mr. Barack Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500

CERTIFIED MAIL

Re: Bias and Prejudice Investigation by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission

Mr. President:

Please excuse me from taking your valuable time away from governing our country, but I must submit this writing seeking advocacy for shared beliefs in an honorable employment system free from discrimination and indifferent treatment along with responsible government intervention when an employment entity compromises the laws governing employment practices. At this time in your Presidency, it appears your priorities are focused on the economy and employment. This writing addresses both priorities. You signed a bill today, January 29, 2009, requiring women to get equal pay in employment, which also expands the time for filing discrimination claims. The lady to whom the bill reflects battled the powers to be for equal rights and pay for everyone. My fight is similar. I have been battling with the powers to be for equal employment under the law.

Background/History with the Illinois Department of Corrections:

First, I have been subjected to discrimination, marginalized and retaliated against because of my non-violent criminal drug convictions in 1988 and 1992. Sir, when I was sentenced in 1992 I did not have a G.E.D. I received my G.E.D. in Chicago’s county jail while waiting to go to the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC). I started going to college in prison. Once released in December of 1994, I achieved my Bachelor degree in General Studies with a focus on Social Science (1997) and a Master degree in Mental Health with a focus on Community Counseling (1999) from Roosevelt University in Chicago. I started my PhD program with Walden University in 1999. I will receive my PhD in Human Services with a focus on Social Policy Analysis and Planning in February of 2009.

While I was incarcerated in IDOC in 1992, I suffered racial discrimination, indifferent treatment and retaliation attempting to access the courts. I was still litigating my criminal convictions while incarcerated. When going to court from an IDOC prison in Vandalia, my legal papers were purposely taken and destroyed by IDOC personnel. The legal papers contained information against Judge Paul Foxgrover who convicted me and my personal lawyer William Swano. Paul Foxgrover was convicted of a felony 18 months after convicting me receiving a 6-year sentence, and Attorney Swano was convicted in Operation Greylord and disbarred.

I filed a civil action against IDOC for denying access to court, with the caption Fred Nance Jr. v. J.D. Vieregge, et al. The District Court denied my claims. The U.S. District Court of Appeals overruled the District Court on appeal stating “Nance has two options, which are not mutually exclusive: to seek damages in state court for the value of the photocopies as ordinary personal property; and to initiate a collateral attack or request for pardon concerning the judgment that rests on his guilty plea.” As stated above, this Appellate Court overturned the lower court’s decision dismissing my original complaint stating I had not pleaded facts showing that Vieregge acted deliberately. I did not know about this Appellate court decision until 2005. I was litigating another matter regarding “access to court” in the Federal court when through my research I found my case. I filed for clemency with Governor Blagojevich in October of 2006. Governor Blagojevich never responded to my petition for clemency.

After I filed my civil complaint against IDOC and J.D. Vieregge, IDOC transferred me from a minimum security prison to a medium security prison. I was put in segregation because I complained about my missing legal papers. I was put in segregation 2 more times bogusly for administrative reasons. I was transferred 2 more times to various Southern Illinois institutions with IDOC knowing I would not get visitation because my relatives lived in the Chicago area. My wife of 16 years was murdered on July 5, 1993 while I was incarcerated. My daughter, who was 9-years-old at the time, found my wife’s body lying in the alley behind the house where they were living. IDOC refused to let me attend my wife’s funeral and visit with my children at the funeral home.

Present matter with IDOC and EEOC:

Second, I filed 2 charges, one on April 16, 2007 and one on May 12, 2008, for employment discrimination based on race, sex, age and retaliation against the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) and WestCare Foundation, Inc. (WestCare) with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), which has been severely hindered and nefariously interrupted with biases and prejudices by staff of the Chicago District office of EEOC.

Facts: I applied for a counseling employment position with Gateway Foundation, Inc. (Gateway) on or about April 2005. Gateway had the State of Illinois counseling contract with IDOC at Sheridan Correctional Center (Sheridan). IDOC refused my employment and security clearance. I appealed IDOC’s decision. One of the issues for my denial of employment with IDOC was that I visited my brother while he was in prison. I was not a convicted felon when I visited my brother. In April of 2006 I was granted a security clearance to work at Sheridan.

I reported for work on May 1, 2006. On June 6, 2006 AFSCME the union had a strike at Sheridan. I tried to come to work and cross the picket line. Sheridan’s Warden Michael Rothwell denied me access to work. Warden Rothwell and a person who identified himself as an Assistant Director in Springfield informed me I could not cross the picket lines and go to work. They would not tell me why I could not cross the picket lines.

I filed for unemployment compensation. I was denied because IDOC said I was off from work because of misconduct. Upon successful appeal with the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) I received my benefits. I was identified as “non-participatory” with IDES in this matter. IDES reported in its summary “…The unemployment of the “non-participatory” claimant-appellants is not due to a work stoppage caused by the labor dispute…there was one efficient cause of the claimants’ unemployment and it was not the labor dispute. It was the unilateral actions of IDOC…The actions of IDOC were a separate and the only cause of the claimant’s unemployment.” After this decision and my return to employment on September 6, 2006 I was retaliated against by IDOC personnel and the administration at Sheridan.

I suffered race, sex, and age discrimination in my job duties, promotions and job placement at Sheridan with IDOC personnel and WestCare employees. I was denied supervisory promotions several times while white and black females, younger than me, were placed in the supervisory position with less experience than I. I was discriminated against when IDOC and its staff denied me access to work while allowing white males and females, younger than me, to cross the picket lines. Yet, EEOC says I have no case. EEOC has all the documents I am sending you.

Ms. Janel Smith is the investigator on my cases with EEOC. I have complained continuously to her supervisor since filing my charges about her biases and prejudices toward me and my endeavors for EEOC to litigate my charges against IDOC and WestCare. Finally, I wrote President Bush whose office forwarded my complaint to Chicago’s District office Director, Mr. John P. Rowe, where my EEOC charge is filed. I thought Mr. Rowe would monitor the process.

These events are documented in detail on my blogs. The letter to President Bush is posted on your website. I will be posting this letter on your website. My intention by posting this issue is to demonstrate the inadequacy of EEOC and the discriminatory practices of IDOC and WestCare. Also, I believe there is an unethical and unnatural partnership between EEOC and IDOC, along with WestCare. Let us not forget about Governor Blagojevich and Illinois politics. This is real.

Sir, it is rare we find someone of your integrity and honesty. Even though you practiced law in Chicago, you did not taint your character and behavior. For that, I applaud you. Since the EEOC is a Federal entity, I plead with you for your intervention. Ms. Janel Smith informed me on Tuesday, January 27, 2009 and on Thursday, January 29, 2009, that my charges with EEOC were being terminated. On Tuesday I asked Ms. Smith did IDOC tell her why they took my security clearance. Ms. Smith told me that IDOC did not want me working at Sheridan. On Thursday Ms. Smith told me that IDOC and WestCare told her I was locked out for poor performance and misconduct. I wrote a letter to Director Roger Walker on July 30, 2008 requesting a reason for being lockout of Sheridan and my employment. Mr. Walker never answered my certified letter to him. I asked Ms. Smith did IDOC and WestCare provide written documentation for this charge against me. Ms. Smith said they sent her the same documents I gave her. What does this mean? I told Ms. Smith that WestCare sent me a letter telling me that I was terminated because IDOC locked me out. I informed Ms. Smith that I worked for WestCare and not for IDOC. Therefore, how could IDOC say that I was locked out for poor performance and misconduct?

It seems strange as I told Ms. Smith that she would call me now after I e-mailed her last week requesting status on my charges. It appears on its face that she decided as she has tried to do all of last year to dismiss my charges. Ms. Smith once told me that EEOC does not have the manpower or resources to properly address the discriminatory charges I bring before it.

Where I do I fit in this scenario? I guess I get sacrificed. I guess IDOC’s discriminatory actions continue. Sheridan’s substance abuse program is supposed to reduce recidivism. How can it promote such a charge if it is not willing to work with those who have rehabilitated themselves? It may be due to my personal rehabilitation because IDOC had nothing to do with mine. I am enclosing the following documents with this correspondence:

EEOC charges 440-2007-04512 (original and amended) & 440-2008-05507

Illinois Department of Human Rights control #s 090714051 (WestCare) & 090714051 (IDOC)

Initial letter to Rod Blagojevich dated June 6, 2006 regarding IDOC denying access to cross the picket lines at Sheridan

Illinois Department of Employment Security responses to my claim for benefits (discharge for misconduct, Labor Dispute Determination (I appealed decision), Recommended Decision after appeal, Decision of the Director of Employment Security giving me my unemployment benefits)

Termination letter from WestCare Foundation Inc.

Letter to Governor Blagojevich dated May 12, 2008

Letter to President Bush dated May 19, 2008

Letter received from EEOC Director John P. Rowe dated June 23, 2008 responding to President Bush’s letter

Letter to IDOC Director Mr. Roger Walker and Asst. Director Deanne Benos dated July 30, 2008 requesting a reason for taking my security clearance

Appellate Court decision Fred Nance Jr. v. J.D. Vieregge et al

Profile of Judge Paul Foxgrover from an Internet address http://www.ipsn.org/foxg.html

Petition for Post Conviction Relief filed by Attorney Roosevelt Thomas, my 3rd lawyer in my conviction case

Respectfully submitted,

Fred Nance Jr., ABD, MA, CADC, NCRS

cc:

President Obama’s website and Certified Mail
Mr. Patrick Quinn, Governor of Illinois (Certified Mail)
Mr. John P. Rowe, District Director, Chicago District Office (fax this letter only)http://clickforjusticeandequality.blogspot.com/
http://click.townhall.com/
http://clickforjusticeandequality.wordpress.com/
http://www.frednance.newsvine.com/

Illinois Department of Central Management Services: Disparate and Indifferent Treatment

January 16, 2009

Illinois Department of Central Management Services
Mr. James P. Sledge, Director
500 Stratton Office Building
401 South Spring Street
Springfield, Illinois 62706

CERTIFIED MAIL

CMS Social Worker Status

Mr. Sledge:

On January 5, 2009 I appealed a failed grade of Social Worker II. On January 15, 2009 I received a letter from Ms. Crystal Filson stating that I failed to meet the minimum requirements for Social Worker II, which she reports is a Master degree in Social Work. Ms. Filson reports “if a participant does not possess a Master degree in Social Work they are rejected….” Sir, there are comparable Master degrees for Social Work. The fundamental nature of a Social Work degree is the required classroom work and courses.

According to the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), the primary mission of the social work profession is to enhance human well­being and help meet the basic human needs of all people, with particular attention to the needs and empowerment of people who are vulnerable, oppressed, and living in poverty. A historic and defining feature of social work is the profession’s focus on individual well­being in a social context and the well­being of society. Fundamental to social work is attention to the environmental forces that create, contribute to, and address problems in living.

Social workers promote social justice and social change with and on behalf of clients. “Clients” is used inclusively to refer to individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. Social workers are sensitive to cultural and ethnic diversity and strive to end discrimination, oppression, poverty, and other forms of social injustice. These activities may be in the form of direct practice, community organizing, supervision, consultation administration, advocacy, social and political action, policy development and implementation, education, and research and evaluation. Social workers seek to enhance the capacity of people to address their own needs. Social workers also seek to promote the responsiveness of organizations, communities, and other social institutions to individuals’ needs and social problems. (NASW, 2008)

Sir, Ms. Filson reports in her review of my application, I have a Master degree in Community Counseling. Ms. Filson fails to consider my Master degree comes from the prestigious Roosevelt University in Chicago, an accredited and recognized university. Ms. Filson fails to consider my Master degree program major was Mental Health Counseling. Ms. Filson fails to consider I have similar classroom work and courses meeting the standards of a Master degree in Social Work, such as Foundations of Counseling (3 hrs-grade B), Topics & Issues in Human Development (3 hrs-B), Human Appraisal (3 hrs-grade C), Theories/Dynamic Group Counseling (3 hrs-grade A), Social & Cultural Foundations (3 hrs-grade A), Community Mental Health Counseling (3 hrs-grade B), Diagnosis & Treatment Planning (3 hrs-grade A), Topics in Substance Abuse (3 hrs-grade A), Statistics & Research Methods (3 hrs-grade A), Marriage and Family Counseling (3 hrs-grade A), Career and Lifestyle Planning (3 hrs-grade A), along with practicum (6 hrs-grade B) and internships (6 hrs-grade A). (Transcript attached)

Ms. Filson fails to consider my PhD course work in Human Services, focusing on Social Policy Analysis and Planning. Ms. Filson fails to consider my PhD will come from Walden University, an accredited and recognized university. Ms. Filson fails to consider I have similar, if not higher, class work and courses meeting the standards of a Master degree in Social Work, such as Theories of Societal Development (5 hrs), Research in Societal Development (5 hrs), Professional Practice & Societal Development (4 hrs); Theories of Human Development (5 hrs), Research in Human Development (5 hrs), Professional Practice & Human Development (4 hrs); Theories of Organization/Social Systems (5 hrs), Research in Organization/Social Systems (5 hrs), Professional Practice & Organization/Social Systems (4 hrs); Data Analysis in Human Service Research (5 hrs), Theory & Model for Professional Practice (5 hrs), Evaluation of Theory & Model (5 hrs), Integrating Theory & Practice (4 hrs); Theories of Intervention (5 hrs), Delivery Systems & Ethic Consideration (5 hrs), Strategy & Ethical Practice (4 hrs); Case Study Research & Applied Change (5 hrs), Case Study to Applied Change (5 hrs), Case Study of Applied Change (4 hrs); Research Forum (30 hrs) (Dissertation in progress). I have a total of 122 hours in my PhD program. I expect my PhD in Human Services with a focus on Social Policy Analysis and Planning in February of 2009. (Transcripts attached)

Sir, Ms. Filson reports the minimum qualifications for Social Worker II is a Master degree in Social Work from a recognized college or university supplemented by one year of professional social work experience in the evaluation and treatment/habilitation of mental illness, developmental disabled or other disabled persons. I have 13 years of social work experience.

Sir, why am I being held to a higher standard than similarly situated individuals? There are individuals working for the State of Illinois, in the capacity of a Social Worker, with comparable skills and degrees. This decision by Ms. Filson is indifferent and disparate treatment. It appears that whatever employment opportunity I pursue with the State of Illinois I am treated with biases and prejudices.

Sir, I am posting this letter on my blogs suggesting I meet the criteria further as outlined in NASW’s Preamble of their Code of Ethics, such as being an advocate for social justice and injustices among the many other parts of the criteria as my blogs will demonstrate.

Please re-consider my application for Social Worker II, giving me a passing grade because I meet the basic criteria of a social worker as described by the National Association of Social Workers. Ms. Filson’s letter is attached.

Respectfully submitted,

Fred Nance Jr., ABD, MA, CADC, NCRS

cc:

Ms. Crystal Filson
http://clickforjusticeandequality.blogspot.com/
http://click.townhall.com/
http://clickforjusticeandequality.wordpress.com/
http://www.frednance.newsvine.com/

Nursing Homes: Practices, Policies and Procedures – Do they have any and are they followed by staff?

Update: December 24, 2008

 

My uncle, Eddie Nance, is a veteran of World War II. When he had his stroke he was taken to the Veterans Administration (VA) hospital at 2122 West Taylor, Chicago, Illinois. His brother, Otha Nance, informed me that the VA hospital told him that Eddie Nance had to leave the hospital because they needed his bed and he was not sick enough to keep his bed at the VA hospital. Otha Nance states that is when Eddie Nance was transferred from the VA hospital to Warren Barr. Warren Barr Nursing Home housed Eddie Nance until they transferred Eddie to Lakeview Nursing Home.

 

The VA hospital should have kept my uncle. This is the way the United States of America treats its veterans.

December 23, 2008

 

Lakeview Nursing and Rehabilitation Centre, Inc.

Mr. Michael Elks, Administrator

735 West Diversey Parkway

Chicago, Illinois 60614

 

Re:         Eddie Nance – Patient

 

Mr. Elks:

 

On December 17, 2008 LPN nurse Ms. Marie called informing me my uncle Eddie Nance (Uncle) was scheduled to see dentist Dr. Horace Broy on December 23, 2008 at 8:30 am. Ms. Marie requested I accompany my uncle due to lack of personnel for transportation trips from Lakeview Nursing and Rehabilitation Centre, Inc. (Lakeview).  At approximately 8:15 am, I arrived at Dr. Broy’s dentistry office.

 

At approximately 8:20 am, I received a call from Ms. Marie stating my uncle would not be coming to his dentist appointment because there was no transportation for him. No one from Lakeview called Dr. Broy’s office informing them that my uncle was not going to be present for his dentist appointment. I informed Dr. Broy’s assistant that my uncle was not coming in for his dentist appointment.

 

 Ms. Marie informed me that Lakeview had engaged the transportation services of Lakeshore Medicar (Lakeshore), located at 2640 West Touhy Ave., Chicago, Illinois 60645. Ms. Marie informed me Lakeshore stated that taking my uncle to Dr. Broy’s office was “too far to go”. Mapquest reports this trip would be 11.24 miles and approximately 22 minutes travel time.

 

I called Lakeshore. I spoke to a person who informed me he was one of the owners. His name is Jimmy Syfu. Mr. Syfu informed me he received a fax from Lakeview reporting the pick-up for my uncle was 7:30 pm on December 23, 2008. Mr. Syfu states he immediately called Lakeview upon receiving this fax to inform them that Lakeshore closed at 6:00 pm, and that they could not fulfill the duties of picking my uncle up at this time. Mr. Syfu faxed me the document Lakeview sent to him. The document faxed to me from Ms. Syfu has the date December 22, 2008, 3:17P, Lakeview Nursin next to a schedule of names. My uncle’s name is on this schedule for pick-up on December 23, 2008 at 07:30 PM. The pick-up time should have been 7:30 am. Either Lakeview or Lakeshore should have been thinking “outside of the box” on this matter. It was not rocket science. It is a matter of discernment. It appears that no one cared.

 

I talked to Mr. Syfu who reports calling Lakeview on December 22, 2008 at approximately 2:26 pm asking for Lily Gonzalez. Ms. Gonzalez works for Lakeview.  Mr. Syfu informed me he was told that Ms. Gonzalez was gone for the day. Mr. Syfu states he talked to the afternoon office manager informing them that picking up my uncle at 7:30 pm was too late because their business is closed at that time. No one called Mr. Syfu informing him that the pick-up time on the fax he received from Lakeview had the wrong time on it. I asked Mr. Syfu if he could pick-up my uncle since he knows what is needed. Mr. Syfu informed me that due to scheduling he had no drivers for the pick-up on December 23, 2008.

 

I talked to Ms. Gonzalez on December 23, 2008 at approximately 8:35 am. She reports calling Lakeshore on December 23, 2008 asking them why they did not call her this morning. Ms. Gonzalez informed me it was “just a mistake.” I talked to Ms. Marie at approximately 8:40 am. Ms. Marie informed me she does not do transportation. Ms. Marie states one of her duties is that she schedules appointments for patient transportation and passes it on to the transportation department of Lakeview. On December 3, 2008 I met the manager for the transportation department. Her name is Maricel. I talked to Ms. Maricel on December 3, 2008 informing her my uncle needed transportation to his dentist appointment. I gave her the address to the dentist. Ms. Maricel informed me there would be no problem. Ms. Maricel stated that she only needed to know the appointment date and location. I have been told by Lakeview staff that Ms. Maricel is presently on vacation.

 

At approximately 8:50 am, I called Ms. Kathy Koenig, Lakeview’s Director of Nursing. I left a message on her answering machine requesting she call me about this issue. As of December 23, 2008 at 11:25 am, I have not received a call from her. I guess this issue is not important to her.

 

At approximately 9:00 am I received a call from Ms. Marie. She stated that Lakeshore had agreed to come and pick-up my uncle and take him to the dentist. I requested Ms. Marie to call the dentist to see if my uncle can still come for his dentistry needs. Ms. Marie called me back informing me my uncle would have to reschedule his appointment. Ms. Marie reports she rescheduled my uncle’s dentist appointment for December 30, 2008 at 10:00 am.

 

My uncle is 85-years-old. My uncle was transferred from Warren Barr Pavilion (Warren Barr), located at 66 West Oak Street, Chicago, Illinois 60610, on or about May 21, 2008 to Lakeview. Since May of 2008 I have been requesting dentistry needs for my uncle. Lakeview personnel have told me numerous times that he would be scheduled for his dentistry work. My uncle was never scheduled for dentistry work by Lakeview.

 

On December 3, 2008 at my uncle’s quarterly care plan meeting I informed Angela Vetrovic, David Barecki and Ann O’Donnell that I would schedule a dentistry appointment for my uncle with a dentist I know, which was Dr. Broy. Dr. Broy’s office called Lakeview. Lakeview, in turn, called Dr. Broy and scheduled December 23, 2008 at 8:30 am.

 

I want to suggest my uncle’s dentistry needs were not taken care of in May of 2008 because his financial base and nursing home payment had not been established. When my uncle was transferred from the VA hospital to Warren Barr then to Lakeview he did not have his Medicaid application filed or confirmed. The VA, Warren Barr and Lakeview knew my uncle received VA benefits totaling $680.00 and a form of Social Security with the acronym RSDI totaling $251.00. Since none of these entities took time to establish the relationship needed with Medicaid for payment of services for my uncle, I took the initiative upon my uncle entering Lakeview to establish a relationship with the State of Illinois, Department of Human Services (DHS). Even with my 14 years of social service work, this was a tedious task. On August 27, 2008 I received notice in the mail that my uncle had been approved for medical assistance.

 

In or about January of 2008 when my uncle was admitted to the VA hospital located at 2122 West Taylor Street, Chicago, Illinois 60612 due to complications from a stroke that has affected the right side of his body, the VA did not file an application for medical services with DHS. Warren Barr did not file an application for medical services with DHS when my uncle was transferred to their facility. For reasons unknown to me, the VA hospital put my uncle out and sent him to Warren Barr. Today, my uncle does not have movement of his right hand or right arm and he cannot speak, but Lakeview has stopped his speech therapy reporting there is no more they can do for him. I asked for documentation reporting this prognosis. Lakeview has suggested I call my uncle’s doctor to get this report. This is absurd.

 

If my uncle’s speech therapy has stopped because there is nothing more that can be done, it should be noted in his medical file. There is much more to tell, but I will not do it here. It may cloud the present issue of dentistry work and “real” speech therapy. I was told the speech therapy my uncle has received from Lakeview was concentrated on clearing his throat so he could reach his potential for “swallowing” food and liquids. This is ludicrous. On December 3, 2008 I requested speech therapy for developing speech patterns. I suggested at this meeting that my uncle’s dental issue may be a contributing factor to speech improvement.

 

Therefore, I am requesting Lakeview respond to the needs of my uncle in a timely and orderly fashion. I request appropriate action plans for assuring my uncle will not miss his scheduled appointments. I request my uncle’s doctor contact me about my uncle’s speech therapy and overall prognosis. Since I have not had appropriate attention to my uncle’s needs and communication from management regarding my issues, I am posting this writing on my blogs at http://clickforjusticeandequality2.blogspot.com/, http://clickforjusticeandequality.wordpress.com/, http://click.townhall.com/, and http://www.frednance.newsvine.com/.  I will fax this correspondence to the Director of Nursing, Ms. Kathy Koenig; to Administrator Mr. Michael Elks; and to Lakeshore’s Mr. Jimmy Syfu.

 

I hope my uncle is not retaliated against by any entity listed here. If there are retaliatory acts of character and behavior from any entity, I will address them in the appropriate venue.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Fred Nance Jr., ABD, MA, CADC, NCRS