[img]2663|right|James Stouvenel||no_popup[/img]Despite cerebral palsy and a diagnosis of being developmentally disabled, James Stouvenel, a resident of distant Palmdale, is determined to have all members of his far-flung, statewide disabled community treated equally.
He believes that blind persons who ride busses for free in Culver City, should be required to pay the same 35 cents fare that is required of all handicapped passengers.
Online and on the telephone, Mr. Stouvenel doggedly is pursuing his notion of justice. He charges that Culver City, which allows the blind to travel free as a matter of compassion, is violating the Americans with Disabilities Act and a Public Utilities Commission statute.
Around City Hall, oldtimers cannot believe that Mr. Stouvenel would travel all the way from the Antelope Valley to Culver City, board a bus, refuse to pay, hope to be forced to pay – highly unlikely – and take that paperwork to court, all to underline his accusation that Culver City daily violates statutes covering all disabled riders.
Before he commits what he calls his act of defiance, the 40-year-old man on a blazing mission was waiting to hear from City Atty. Carol Schwab.
“This is a war you guys (Culver City) are not going to win,” Mr. Stouvenel said again.
“I am fighting this because what Culver City is doing is not right.
