February 2, 1997

Dear Sirs,

     I am writing to you to bring someting very serious to your attention.
First of all I'll start with Sunday Jan 19, 1997 when I read the Register 
paper that there was going to be a Black Pride Parade on February 1 in Santa 
Ana.  I called the number on the paper to volunteer (714) 440-8943 that day 
and I got a recording that I was to apply at 2201 W. McFadden Avenue.  On 
Tuesday the 21st I went to the West Senior Citizen Center to apply I was 
introduced to Sam Naea. I told him I was hearing impaired and was interested 
in volunteering for this special event.  He gave me a blue form to fill in 
which I had completed.  Sam told me he was not familiar with the event and 
asked me to call him back and gave me a card and he wrote his name on it.  On 
Thursday the 23rd I called Sam and he told me that the Black Pride event was 
cancelled and rescheduled to February 15.  I thanked him for the info.  I 
called several of my deaf black friends and I was able to round up 8 black 
deaf people who were interested in seeing this event and I told them what Sam 
told me that the event was rescheduled to February 15.

I didn't realize something was wrong until one of the guys called me last 
night and furiously told me that I mislead them into missing the Black Pride 
Parade event.  I told them that Sam told me that it was rescheduled to 
February 15 and that he should chill out.  He told me to watch OCN news and 
that I will realize my mistake.  I immediately went to watch OCN news and 25 
mins later they showed a story on the Black Pride Parade event which happened 
earlier yesterday.  I was totally shocked.  

I right now I really don't know how to mend this.  I want you to know that I
have been given totally misleading information by Sam Naea.  I want you to
remove him from the center.  I am really upset over this.  Being a deaf 
activist I had worked very hard to organize deaf black participants. 

At this point I will not encourage deaf people to volunteer at any Senior 
Citzen Center until this problem with Mr. Sam Naea is resolved.

Thank You,
Richard Roehm

Contact info:
--------------
Richard Roehm

Santa Ana, Ca 92701
(714) 220-8187  24 hour beeper                        
Internet : Nesmuth@edenbbs.com                        
DEAF WATCH Newsletter at Http://home.hwsys.com/users/roehm/deaf.htm