In case you missed it...

The Massachusetts Commissioner of Public Health held a Press Conference at 2 PM on Sunday, March 27, 2011.  The purpose was to alert the public to the fact that increased levels of radiation have been found in Massachusetts drinking water.

Commissioner John Auerbach assured Massachusetts residents that the levels of radiation were still below the level where it could be considered dangerous.   The drinking water is safe.

Last week the DPC received a copy of a letter (1) from  Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency Director Kurt Schwartz to WBZ-TV News Director John Verrelli complaining that the TV stations don't include the American Sign Language interpreter in the coverage. (Letter is included below).

The DPC's contention is that the Commonwealth does not include ASL Intepreters in the Press Conferences.

Yesterdays conference with Commissioner John Auerbach DID NOT INCLUDE an interpreter. 

The question beofre the DPC membership is this:

Does the fact that Commissioner Auerbach announced "good news" overcome the lack of Intepreters in the press conference?

Second, in light of the fact that the Commonwealth has not seen it necessary to meet with the DPC since our MWRA Title II complaint was filed in May 2010...Is the lack of Interpreters on March 27 reason enough to file a Title II ADA lawsuit in Federal Court?

____

 (1) The letter was provided by the Boston Office of the U.S. Attorney working on our Title II Complaint; Director Schwartz agreed that the letter was in the 'public domain'.

 ____