AN UPDATE ON RICHARD THESING'S ACTIVITIES

We just received a well reasoned, 32 page Order from Federal District
Judge
Hamilton finding that Marriott¹s refusal to provide accessible golf
carts is
a violation of the ADA. The next step is for the Judge to issue an
order
specifying what Marriott must do to comply, i.e., define the minimum
requirements of an ³accessible golf cart² and determine the number of
carts
per course. A settlement hearing is scheduled for February 14, 2008 to
see
if the parties can agree. If not, the Judge will issue a ruling.

The essence of the Judge¹s Order is:

³"Marriott's current policy does not provide plaintiffs,
mobility-impaired
golfers, with an experience that is functionally equivalent to that of
other
non-disabled golfers. Plaintiffs here have presented overwhelming
evidence
that they are unable to golf at Marriott's courses under the current
policy.
By contrast, non-disabled golfers can simply show up at the course and
Marriott will provide them with a functional cart as part of the cost
of
their round of golf. Accordingly, Marriott provides golf carts for
able-bodied golfers, but does not provide accessible carts for
mobility-impaired golfers like plaintiffs. Because Marriott's policy
places
plaintiffs in a distinctly unequal situation, as compared to their
able-bodied counterparts, it is discriminatory under the ADA.²

The full text is at www.mobilitygolf.com.

This decision is a extremely important step in our effort to make all
golf
courses accessible.

Rich Thesing
Mobility Golf

DAVE HANNA HAS A BIG IDEA!

DAVE AND GINNY HANNA - Holiday Time 2007
HANNA FAMILY DOGS - Augie, Scrappy-Doo, Dooby-Doo and Yabba-Doo.
Dave Hanna writes:
"I don't know about you, but at my age I think 10 years is too long to wait for our next reunion. I'd be very interested to find out how many of us feel the same. ... If there is enough interest, I am willing to take a very active role in organizing something."

If you agree with Dave and are interested, use the comment section below, or, email Jerry Fecht

MIKE DUDLEY ADDS HIS VOICE TO HAWAIIAN CHOIR

Our classmate Michael Dudley meets regularly to participate in this Hawaiian heritage choir. Mike is on the top row at the far right. His wife Doris is in the 3rd row and is the 4th woman from the right.

Mike wrote me about this very interesting choir, but alas the letter is somewhere hidden on my sadly cluttered desk. When I find it, I come back to this posting and add the story. In the meanwhile Rich Marrone in Sweden might think about those azure waters of Hawaii and the Dudleys having to spend their time singing in warm evening breezes of the South Pacific. Alas, we all have our burdens. Jerry Fecht

WHERE DID YOU LIVE WHEN YOU ATTENDED NOTRE DAME?

4 Match Book Covers - Collection of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley

Keeping on top of the artifacts donated to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley is "a wild and crazy" thing. We catalogue, photograph and scan every item that is given to us. While I was working on a package of match book covers donated this week, I thought my Notre Dame classmates might enjoy looking over my shoulder at some of our memories.
Jerry Fecht

HAPPY NEW YEAR GUYS!