Comments on: Ann Arbor Shifts Transit Gear to Neutral

By: David Cahill

David Cahill — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 15:18:54 +0000

Vivienne, the behavior of this legislature is not something that any local group should rely on. If the financing group is waiting on something from Lansing, they might as well wait for Godot.

By: Vivienne Armentrout

Vivienne Armentrout — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 02:14:33 +0000

David, the package has a strong push from both the governor and influential legislators (including from our area) backing it. According to Dusty Fancher (reported by the Chronicle [link]), the bills will be passed by March or not until much later, probably after the November election. As also reported by the Chronicle [link] AATA is now suggesting a postponement of council deliberations until March 5. Even later would seem more responsible, especially given the rapid passage of events in the state capitol. We might also know a little more by then about events at the Federal level. Transit agencies are shocked and concerned about a move by the House Transportation Committee to take transit funding out of the "gas tax" (SAFETEA-LU) and place it into the General Fund, subject to political dealing and outright cancellation at any time. [link] SAFETEA-LU is where Federal Formula funding is authorized. About 42% of AATA's operating funds come from this federal source.

By: David Cahill

David Cahill — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 00:49:30 +0000

It would be dumb for the transit financial group to have postponed its January 27 meeting because of a bunch of bills just introduced into the legislature. A large majority of all bills introduced die. Why should this package survive?

By: Vivienne Armentrout

Vivienne Armentrout — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 18:20:33 +0000

The seats are based partly on population and partly on funding. Ypsilanti City doesn’t have the population to support 1 whole seat without their funding contribution. Pittsfield Township is populous.

By: Ken

Ken — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 16:22:19 +0000

Just curious as to why the City of Ypsilanti looses their seat on the “New Board” if they fail to make the Transit Millage that was voted in a permanent Millage, yet Pittsfield Township that only pays into the POSA for itself will keep their seat.

Vivienne sorry to put you on the spot again; but any insight on this?

By: Steve Bean

Steve Bean — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 18:51:59 +0000

@4: “We need county wide transit and now is the time to do it.”

Two cents isn’t worth much, Stew. (-: How about expanding on why you think we need it? For example, who is “we”, and what is “it”? Is the “it” you have in mind the same as what’s being proposed?

By: Stewart Nelson

Stewart Nelson — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 18:03:10 +0000

Someone need to get all parties to the agreement into a room and lock the doors and not leave until the agreement is hammered out. That is how Grand Rapids and Kent County did it. We need county wide transit and now is the time to do it.

Just my two cents.

~Stew

By: Vivienne Armentrout

Vivienne Armentrout — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 14:31:20 +0000

With regard to Jesse Bernstein's statement that "most" local units of government have signed Act 7 agreements, that is not accurate. As I described in my recent blog post [link], 3 of 5 interlocal agreements had not been signed as of Friday, January 27. None of the agreements have been filed with the Secretary of State, as the Act requires.

By: Vivienne Armentrout

Vivienne Armentrout — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 14:23:41 +0000

I don’t understand why the AATA would be enhanced by appointing a township official. It already does not adequately represent the citizenry of Ann Arbor, who are supposed to be served by this body.

The Mayor apparently forgets that David Nacht, whom he appointed, was an elected township trustee during part of his long tenure on the AATA board, including as chair (I believe that his role as chair came at a time when he was a Scio Township trustee.)

By: Jim Rees

Jim Rees — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 03:25:43 +0000

Every time I read about the “four party talks” I wonder if we’re discussing North Korea. (That’s not a criticism, just an amusing observation)