Re “Man Who Complained About Blind, Pledges to Overturn Victory”

Will Monday night’s unexpected triumph for Culver City bus riders who are blind melt into a pyrrhic victory – in the courts?

No one at City Hall knows – yet.

Will the City Council’s unanimous verdict in support of the present policy – the blind ride free while disabled persons and seniors are charged 35 cents – be flipped by the determined hand of one resolute man?

City Hall doesn’t know, and neither does anyone else.

Sammie Shipman and Ken Ruben, the only two persons who spoke to the Council on behalf of the blind, are plainly worried.

“Do you think the guy who made the original complaint will succeed in getting the Council’s decision overturned?”  asked Ms. Shipman, 23 years old and blind. 

After reading here yesterday that James Stouvenel is sworn to leveling the field for all disabled and seniors throughout California transportation agencies, Ms. Shipman swung back. “His plan won't work,” she said. “The free fare only is for the blind, not for the disabled. Mr. Stouvenel is not blind.”

“Hopefully people will know that when he boards the bus.

“This guy just won't let it go. He's determined to be hostile, petty, and mean.”

Ms. Shipman said she was nervous – but it did not show — when she addressed the Council and pleaded for a half-a-loaf compromise ruling.

Wistfully and wittily, she added that “I hope he doesn't win. If he does, then I'll have to go make another appearance somewhere.”

Mr. Ruben, Culver City’s best known bus rider, feels similarly.

“Where does Beetlebomb the Protestor get the idea he is going to get a ticket from Culver CityBus to present to what   judge?” wondered Mr. Ruben. “Is he independently wealthy?”

“I believe Culver CityBus is just going to let him ride and not worry about any ticket.

“This Beetlebomb is a troublemaker for all transit operations. (City Councilman) Andy Weissman did the right thing.”

Mr. Stouvenel, the disabled Antelope Valley activist who filed the original accusation of statute violation against Culver CityBus, holds the lever in his determined hand.

So upset was he by the City Council’s rejection of his accusation that he promised to come to Culver City soon and test City Hall. Mr. Stouvenal said he will board a Culver CityBus, without a ticket, wait to be ordered to pay, and then take the subsequent ticket to a judge for a ruling that he hopes will redound on City Hall.