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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-80 email testimony MTS reportFrom: Steph Bath [mailto:stephbath gmail.com] Communication No. 2014 -80 Sent: Tuesday, December 09, 2014 9:29 AM To: Brown, Larry; Patti Pinto Subject: AC testimony December 9,2012 Testimony on mass transit subcommittee Report From: Stephanie Bath Kurtistown , Hawai To: Patti Pinto AC Chair and PCDP action Committee members Re: mass transit- I request that this testimony be read into the meeting record. Dear AC, I have chosen not to be physically present at today's meeting. It takes planning, time, energy and resources to attend. Being given 3 minutes to give insights, the same insights and input repeatedly given for a decade can be done in written testimony. As former PCDP steering committee transportation lead, and having been involved in the PCDP process since the first day the "public "was invited to participate,I am more than happy to attend the AC meetings as a resource to this body to share input grounded in the PCDP process longitudinally, and, answer questions you have that will assist in the timely implementation of PCDP transportation community goals. The Puna community created the AC to assist in this task. We agreed to work with the AC to communicate to government recommendations for the implementation of the PCDP mass transit goals adopted by ordinance in 2008. I include this excerpt from my email to Tiffany Kai for your consideration: Life is very busy, however, when employed and paid to do a task there is an expectation that the task will be done. There is an expectation for consideration and respect as we work in unity with one another. Mayor Kenoi campaigned that "together we can" We the public, putting hours of service ,even years, into the PCDP and its implementation are being ignored, even disrespected and written off by MTA. "Together we can" is not the plan of action. This may not be the case. It is a perception. We do not understand what reason MTA is not represented at MTSC meetings we have. We do not understand the reason our requests and questions and those of the PCDP AC have gone unanswered. We do not understand the reason there is little or no follow up. We do not understand the reason MTA and council members are not serving us in a way that is engaging with the public . We do not understand what the obstacle is in communicating with the public. We do not understand what happened to the grant money we were told was received by the County to help implement the Hub and spoke system in Puna.( Thats a very very big question we want answered.) Please help us to understand. If in fact MTA HAS been communicating with AC community leadership and we are not included in their loop, we would appreciate this information. The perception is that MTA is disregarding the public. There is a Puna PCDP participants group on the web, newspapers,PCDP AC and radio that can be used to answer questions and to keep Puna updated on MTA issues and implementation status. It takes time to attend MTSC meetings and resources.( no buses are available to get to and from meetings. Those with the need can not be present.) It takes time and energy to focus and stay engaged with this challenging issue. We have been instructed to, "be patient." Over a decade of waiting demonstrates reasonable patience. The public remains engaged as County leadership and admin changes with elections and retirement. It is not the publics job to impart the plan to new leadership and bring them up to speed Nevertheless we have diligently and patiently done just that. In response to our efforts we have received absolutely no recognition or gratitude expressed for our help and service. What is that about ? ?? Puna is challenged with difficult and uncertain times. Some of us are serving in capacities with CERT, ARC, PCDP CERS and other service tasks.Its a busy time!! We do not know what the lava flow will present to us. We ask MTA to support us now in our transportation needs. We have a viable, and planned solution for buses in Puna. This plan was created and adopted by ordinance in 2008. This plan will address disaster and non disaster transportation needs. This plan can be built upon over time as needs change and resources present themselves. People need to get to AND from work, school, appointments,shopping,worship, recreational and family activities. People do these things seven days a week and on holidays.. Does MTA want to dialogue.? Perhaps media can sponsor a radio forum with MTA and the public so the issue can become more transparent and there can be some form of accountability .... I appeal to this body to take immediate action: 1. In requesting a county mass transit plan be completed in a timely manner. 2. In the looping of Hele- on buses between primary and secondary puna hubs and Kea'au and Hilo. ( Airport accessibility routes , transfer points and schedules being considered) Stephanie Bath Former PCDP steering committee - transportation lead PCDP MTSC PCDP CERS ARC Puna shelter manager (how will some get to shelters if the need arises) Volcano CERT