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Letters to the Editor are deep in the bowels of the "Explorer's" online edition. You have to know what you are doing to locate them!
This letter is from Carol Hunter, member of Friends of Coyote Run. In it, she notes:
"Over the last six months, I have been working along with nine others to retain the services of Coyote Run that assists our elderly and mentally and physically challenged population. We are working diligently with the Regional Transportation Authority to secure its position in the network."
Current plans are for the Regional Transit Authority, of which Mayor Hiremath is a Vice Chairman, to take over this service for 2012. After
that, as we understand it, it will be up to the town to negotiate future transit agreements. Click here to read appointed Council Member Solomon's November 2 update on the future of Coyote Run.
Coyote run provides services to both our challenged citizens and to our senior citizens. The Friends of Coyote Run is an organization of 10 members, principally representing the interests of our challenged citizens. There are also more than 10,500 senior citizens living in Oro Valley who are eligible to use the Coyote Run service. So, decisions made regarding Coyote Run impact at least 25% of the residents of Oro Valley. There is also the possibility that a court decision could, at some time, restore State transit funds to Oro Valley thus allowing the town to continue service.
Obviously, the situation is complicated.
There is a public forum this Wednesday, December 14, 2011 from 4:30-6:00 PM a the Oro Valley Public Library where you can hear and opine on future plans for Coyote Run.
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Showing posts with label Coyote Run. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Coyote Run. Show all posts
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Friday, October 28, 2011
Coyote Run: Follow The Money
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This past Monday, a task for four, which includes Council Person Lou Waters and Appointed Council Person Steve Solomon, presented their recommendation that Coyote Run be turned over to the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) starting in 2013. Though the meeting was held on short notice to get public input, it was clear to all that this decision has been made.
One thing we did note was that there was no discussion of the financial implications of this decision for the Town of Oro Valley. Generally, all financial aspects of the transaction must be analyzed and considered before making this decision.
So, our friend John Musolf sent of a quick message to Council Person Waters:
"Dear Lou:
I attended the Coyote Run Service Update on Monday, October 24, 2011. What I heard and saw was that the Town of Oro Valley will continue to support Coyote Run until June 2013. Then the Transit Task Force is recommending a Proposed Transportation Regional Solution for continuing Coyote Run Service.
You most certainly must have prepared a financial due diligence, which would include an analysis of what monies will be exchanged for the capital assets (buses, bus shelters/land and easements), personal property (furniture, fixtures, computers, printers, phone, copiers, and related equipment, etc.). What will happen to the current Coyote Run employees in June 2013? What will happen to the pensions of current Coyote Run employees in June 2013?"
Here's the response:
""such" information will be available when details of an Intergovernmental Agreement have been designed."
Not only do we find this response to be terse, we also find that it is insufficient.
Apparently, according to the response of Council Person Waters, the task force has not done its financial due dilligence even though it has made its decision.
So, let me get this right: The decision to not fund Coyote Run is a financial decision; but the decision to turn it over to the RTA is not?
Be sure to keep an eye on this one folks: Follow the money.
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This past Monday, a task for four, which includes Council Person Lou Waters and Appointed Council Person Steve Solomon, presented their recommendation that Coyote Run be turned over to the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) starting in 2013. Though the meeting was held on short notice to get public input, it was clear to all that this decision has been made.
One thing we did note was that there was no discussion of the financial implications of this decision for the Town of Oro Valley. Generally, all financial aspects of the transaction must be analyzed and considered before making this decision.
So, our friend John Musolf sent of a quick message to Council Person Waters:
"Dear Lou:
I attended the Coyote Run Service Update on Monday, October 24, 2011. What I heard and saw was that the Town of Oro Valley will continue to support Coyote Run until June 2013. Then the Transit Task Force is recommending a Proposed Transportation Regional Solution for continuing Coyote Run Service.
You most certainly must have prepared a financial due diligence, which would include an analysis of what monies will be exchanged for the capital assets (buses, bus shelters/land and easements), personal property (furniture, fixtures, computers, printers, phone, copiers, and related equipment, etc.). What will happen to the current Coyote Run employees in June 2013? What will happen to the pensions of current Coyote Run employees in June 2013?"
Here's the response:
""such" information will be available when details of an Intergovernmental Agreement have been designed."
Not only do we find this response to be terse, we also find that it is insufficient.
Apparently, according to the response of Council Person Waters, the task force has not done its financial due dilligence even though it has made its decision.
So, let me get this right: The decision to not fund Coyote Run is a financial decision; but the decision to turn it over to the RTA is not?
Be sure to keep an eye on this one folks: Follow the money.
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Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Recommendation: Coyote Run To Be Turned Over To RTA
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With no input from the citizens of Oro Valley, two Oro Valley employees and two town council members have decided that the Regional Transit Authority should take over the Coyote Run service in 2013. The employees are Greg Cayton, Interim Oro Valley Town Manager, and Amy Ramsey, Oro Valley Town Transit Administrator. The council members are Lou Waters and appointed council person, Steve Solomon.
This was revealed at a Transportation Update Public Hearing last night in Town Council Chambers.
There is no guarantee that the Coyote Run service won't change substantially once it is turned over to RTA. In fact, it is likely that it will change substantially. Once out of the control of Oro Valley, who knows what it will look like?
Certainly, in order for Coyote Run to survive and to be run by the town of Oro Valley, the Town needs to come up with a funding method. Currently, thanks to Council Person Garner, it is funded by the bed tax through June of 2012. After that, there is no funding source.
It is clear to us that only Council Person Garner has any interest in finding this source for our needy citizens so that Oro Valley can continue to run this service. So, turning it over to the RTA is the only resort to assure some funding and some service.
Or said another way: Rather than taking $300,000 out of the public safety budget of $12.5 million to fund Coyote Run, a budget that the Council refused to challenge, the town is willing to throw the transportation needs of our most needy into the hands of others.
Its a pity, really, because Coyote Run does a lot of good.
This is not a "done deal."
We have been told that there will be further public hearings on this before it is presented to council; but with their mind made up, we fear that these hearings will be nothing more than a "charade." Then, the plan will go to Council for approval.
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For those interested, click here to read KOLD's report of the situation. It is the Town's spin on this deal. Essentially they are painting themselves as heroes for Coyote Run.
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With no input from the citizens of Oro Valley, two Oro Valley employees and two town council members have decided that the Regional Transit Authority should take over the Coyote Run service in 2013. The employees are Greg Cayton, Interim Oro Valley Town Manager, and Amy Ramsey, Oro Valley Town Transit Administrator. The council members are Lou Waters and appointed council person, Steve Solomon.
This was revealed at a Transportation Update Public Hearing last night in Town Council Chambers.
There is no guarantee that the Coyote Run service won't change substantially once it is turned over to RTA. In fact, it is likely that it will change substantially. Once out of the control of Oro Valley, who knows what it will look like?
Certainly, in order for Coyote Run to survive and to be run by the town of Oro Valley, the Town needs to come up with a funding method. Currently, thanks to Council Person Garner, it is funded by the bed tax through June of 2012. After that, there is no funding source.
It is clear to us that only Council Person Garner has any interest in finding this source for our needy citizens so that Oro Valley can continue to run this service. So, turning it over to the RTA is the only resort to assure some funding and some service.
Or said another way: Rather than taking $300,000 out of the public safety budget of $12.5 million to fund Coyote Run, a budget that the Council refused to challenge, the town is willing to throw the transportation needs of our most needy into the hands of others.
Its a pity, really, because Coyote Run does a lot of good.
This is not a "done deal."
We have been told that there will be further public hearings on this before it is presented to council; but with their mind made up, we fear that these hearings will be nothing more than a "charade." Then, the plan will go to Council for approval.
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For those interested, click here to read KOLD's report of the situation. It is the Town's spin on this deal. Essentially they are painting themselves as heroes for Coyote Run.
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Saturday, October 22, 2011
This Monday: Oro Valley Public Forum on Transit Service
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We've listed this as an event on the left column of the blog.
If you have any interest at all in what's going to happen to our Cayote Run Transportation Service then you must attend this Monday's Oro Valley Public Forum on Transit Service. The meeting starts at 6PM at Town Hall Council Chambers.
There are no advance materials posted regarding this forum. In fact, the forum was announced just a few days ago. Talk about getting little notice.
See you there...
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We've listed this as an event on the left column of the blog.
If you have any interest at all in what's going to happen to our Cayote Run Transportation Service then you must attend this Monday's Oro Valley Public Forum on Transit Service. The meeting starts at 6PM at Town Hall Council Chambers.
There are no advance materials posted regarding this forum. In fact, the forum was announced just a few days ago. Talk about getting little notice.
See you there...
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