Comments on: AATA Gets Countywide Task Force Report

By: John Floyd

John Floyd — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 05:24:01 +0000

If the task force wants to be taken seriously, take Mr. Greden’s name off the report. Otherwise, it must be assumed that it endorses his behavior as a public official.

It is unrealistic to expect the public to have confidence in the work of a civic body that apparently endorses Leigh Greden’s behavior. This endorsement tells us of the contempt of the task force for the public. We cannot assume that such a body will make recommendations consistent with either the truth, or with the public interest.

By: Vivienne Armentrout

Vivienne Armentrout — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 01:59:47 +0000

Re (5) If you are referring to the Financial Task Force, you need not be concerned. I attended all but the very first meeting, and as far as I can tell, Mr. Greden had virtually no input. I don't think he was present for most of the meetings. I was prepared to be skeptical of the FTF's proceedings, but I was quite impressed with the work of the subcommittee in particular. They really dug down into the spreadsheets and worked through issues. I think the final report was very cogent and raised a number of appropriate concerns. (I have some quibbles and pointers about those, but this is not the place.) (I outlined and commented on some of their points in this post: [link]) As this article makes clear, the FTF produced only an advisory report and the AATA Board or anyone else need not follow any of their recommendations.

By: John Floyd

John Floyd — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 01:42:31 +0000

Until I looked at the task force’s report via the link in this article, I had not realized that Leigh Greden is part of the task force. Given Mr. Greden’s self-documented contempt of the public, his self-compiled record of ugly communications regarding colleagues, his apparent attempts/desires to rig the votes of public bodies, and his apparent attempts to conduct electoral campaign business, while a member of the Ann Arbor City Council, during council meetings using city equipment, it is not obvious that his participation on a public body like this is appropriate.

It is unrealistic to expect the public to have confidence in the work of a civic body that apparently condones this type of behavior. Surely there exists within Washtenaw County – even within Eastern Michigan University – qualified persons whose presence on this task force would not create an automatic deficit of trust in its work.

By: Rod Johnson

Rod Johnson — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 14:11:16 +0000

To give you an idea of the seriousness with which the Ann Arbor Railroad takes its enterprise, here's their website.

By: Jim Rees

Jim Rees — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 12:49:10 +0000

Here’s a wild and crazy idea. The State recently got a grant from the Feds to buy the tracks between Dearborn and Kalamazoo. So get the City to apply for a grant to buy the AARR within the City limits. Run passenger trains on the tracks, and use the right-of-way for the Greenway.

By: Jim Rees

Jim Rees — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 02:33:36 +0000

Has the AARR ever said why they don’t want to allow passenger runs on their tracks? I assume they’re not just being mean, and it’s a question of money or liability?

By: Vivienne Armentrout

Vivienne Armentrout — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 16:35:28 +0000

Regarding the District Advisory Committee meetings: the next meeting is scheduled for May 14, 7 p.m. at the Malletts Creek Branch Library.

I am concerned that the mission and function of this group is confused. It was a group of “stakeholders” (representatives of various interest groups) by invitation. I don’t have a list of the invitees but only 8 people attended (including Jesse Bernstein as the chair). Yet this group is supposed to be the major feedback from the Ann Arbor public regarding transit plan issues. Also, though the guidelines for these DAC indicate that a local elected official should be among those present, there were no councilmembers.

I note that the agenda for the special AATA board meeting on April 26 calls for a public review period of only 30 days for the 5-year transit program (FYTP). I think the May 14 meeting may be the chief vehicle for any public comment on the plan. Note that the only AATA board meeting during the 30-day period is the May 16 board retreat, not a time for good public input.

Part of my concern is that this may be the form rather than the substantive reality of a public process.