Comments on: Countywide Energy Program in the Works

By: Rod Johnson

Rod Johnson — Sun, 19 Jan 2014 20:25:16 +0000

I hear you, but I also hear the hectoring, suspicious, accusatory tone. Even a dutiful public servant must experience moments of aversion now and then.

By: Vivienne Armentrout

Vivienne Armentrout — Sat, 18 Jan 2014 17:29:08 +0000

Rod, I don’t know the facts of the case (#5) but I’ll point out that all the individuals named were either elected officials or semipublic agency staff. They are supposed to respond to public inquiries. Be Generous.

By: Rod Johnson

Rod Johnson — Sat, 18 Jan 2014 05:39:29 +0000

#5: someone wouldn’t return your calls? Imagine that.

By: Alan Goldsmith

Alan Goldsmith — Fri, 17 Jan 2014 14:31:22 +0000

Thanks for the verification.

By: Mary Morgan

Mary Morgan — Thu, 16 Jan 2014 21:22:36 +0000

Re. “IS Alma Wheeler Smith a resident of Washtenaw County?”

According to Washtenaw County property records, her home is located in Salem Township, with a South Lyon mailing address.

By: Alan Goldsmith

Alan Goldsmith — Thu, 16 Jan 2014 19:35:12 +0000

“The RTA state enabling legislation (Act 387 of 2012) mandates that board members must be residents of the county or city that they represent”

IS Alma Wheeler Smith a resident of Washtenaw County? That should be a pretty simple question to answer.

By: Jim Casha

Jim Casha — Thu, 16 Jan 2014 09:57:15 +0000

(6) A board member shall have substantial business, financial, or professional experience relevant to the operation of a corporation or public transportation system.

While I might not be qualified to be Washtenaw County’s RTA representative because I do not live in the county, it would appear from Alma’s resume, and the above legislative requirement,that she doesn’t either. We just got rid of one politician (John Hertel)why do you want to bring in another one? Where are all the transit people in Washtenaw? Why wouldn’t Conan and the Michigan Suburbs Alliance return my calls and/or do something about the Fairgrounds? Their office is just down the street in Ferndale! Why wouldn’t Conan’s wife, Sen. Rebekah Warren, talk to me the RTA and the Fairgrounds???? What is their real agenda?? It doesn’t appear to be getting a regional transportation system and protecting the people’s assets.

Hello Alma. Long time no see. I’m still in Lansing (though I would rather be in Canada) trying to get help for MI’s foster kids affected by prenatal alcohol exposure. You know, the ones you wouldn’t help.

By: Vivienne Armentrout

Vivienne Armentrout — Wed, 15 Jan 2014 03:24:51 +0000

I think the point was more that Hertel was not able to wangle some funding out of the legislature for salaries. Not true that RTA has no authority over SMART or DDOT. They can review plans and have some say so over Fed funding. But without operating funds, RTA is in a tough spot. They’ll have to persuade a 4-county area to pass a millage or other funding mechanism.

Just to say that our Washtenaw County reps have been doing an excellent job. I was reading minutes (see SEMCOG host site) and Liz Garber helped save the AAATA from some slices on their Fed funding by pointing out a very technical issue on district allocations.

By: Jim Rees

Jim Rees — Wed, 15 Jan 2014 01:16:28 +0000

… or DDOT, RTA does seem like a waste of time. I’m not surprised no one wants to be on the board and the CEO quit.

By: Jim Rees

Jim Rees — Wed, 15 Jan 2014 01:14:50 +0000

With no dedicated funding and no authority over either SMART