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^^^^^^ WARM GREETINGS FROM ^^^^^^^^^^^^ :-) Ivan Suzman 49/39/36 [log in to unmask] :-) Portland, Maine land of lighthouses deg. F :-) (((((((((((((((((((((((((listfolks))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))) ))))) FIrst , I know you kind folks are generous and want to solve this problem for the moment and all that, but at same time, I feel really awkward. It's almost better if you folks make pledges to Janet, in case nothing else works out, but don't actually send money yet. What I have asked the City for , many times,is what I am wondering about. COuld the City of Portland "hire" me to work for its health department , its social services department, or its school department, in EXCHANGE for my property tax? Just imagine the work I could do for the approx $200.00 a month that this property is taxed. I could writ PD flyers for the agency on aging, I could write public service announcements for the local TV and radio stations, I could do in-services with the public health nurses, I could help to survey the high-rises for the elderly, to look for persons needing treatment, i could work with the street clinic or with the clinics at the Hospitals to identify persons in need of possible treatment, I could work with those who are trying to open a aPD Information Center at Maine Medical Centrer or somewhere in Portland. I could helpdo genetic screening llike Boston is doing, or raise money for PD research!! Or I could usem stage experience and help to host a gala fundraiser for Parkinson's Research. It would be another reason to keep my tuxedo ready for multiple uses! In sum...it seems to me that there could be an understanding instead of a property war that is draining me, about my taxes and sewer bypass fees, that would be very legitimate. Medicaid caps my income at $708.00 per month,. $21.-00 ov er the $687.00 limit. That's why I am caught in this horrible state of poverty all the time. Today I had to get emergency oil, so after an all-day battle, the CIty finally came out and put 25 gallons of heating oil in my cellar oil tank. I had tosign to pay back the $17.16, once I have it. Also my new caregiver who lives here, Evan, drove me to the food bank at the Congregational CHurhc, since as usual, I am out of funds til my check comes in DEc. 3rd. THe dilemma I am caught in is a nightmare so i try to just live one day at a time and be grateufl for my beautiful home and for the small things. The City might still back down and give me an unconditional tax exemption without you folks paying them if the right person calls the powers that be. Maybe Mr. Fox or Mr. Ali or someone else in our PD-family could make a call to Portland City Hall. I really hate living in this state of pressure! It seems so mad and unnecessary.Tonioght I was so drained. I also feel like just to give them money is to let them go on unchanged, and not to alter the balance so that people like me get the opportunity to play a useful role in the towns we live in. After all, I was a Professor of anatomy, and really don't want to waste that backgroun How about if you folks write a letter to the CIty Mangaer (Robert Ganley) The CIty's switchboard is USATel no. (207) 874-8300. I hope none is in strong disagreement with me, but anyhow, this is my gut telling me what to tell you. Finally, I just want to say that I wish the List could act quickly. There is too mucch IVAN on the Lilst and everyone else needs i t more than I d o, especialllly the nebies. Ivan