From: "Wahome, Kimamo" <WAHOMEK@uwec.edu> Date: Fri, 16 Nov 2007 08:42:33 -0600 Subject: FW: Please support mass transit amendments Message-ID: <E3F0E607B3CF71418CE725F002B5F60440DE8E4345@CHERRYPEPSI.uwec.edu>
From: Jeremy Gragert [mailto:jgragert@gmail.com]
Sent: Thursday, November 15, 2007 10:21 AM
To: Bette Wahl
Subject: Fwd: Please support mass transit amendments
Hi Bette, below is a copy of my email to a councilmember regarding the mass
transit amendments, incase coalition members would like to speak with or e
mail their councilmembers regarding them today. Contact information for cou
ncilmembers can be found here: http://www.eauclairewi.gov/e107_plugins/cont
ent/content.php?content.20
Jeremy
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Jeremy Gragert <jgragert@gmail.com<mailto:jgragert@gmail.com>>
Date: Nov 14, 2007 10:36 PM
Subject: Please support mass transit amendments
To: rhughes5785@charter.net<mailto:rhughes5785@charter.net>
Councilmember Hughes:
I ask that you support both of the transit-related amendments to the city b
udget. I believe transit is one of the most important city services because
it helps the most vulnerable in our society to be productive city resident
s while meeting their own basic needs.
Accessibility to jobs for people of any age, income, or ability is an issue
that - I hope - we can all agree is critical to both economic stability an
d promoting self-reliance. Mass transit provides just that. Furthermore, ma
ss transit promotes national security through reducing our dependence upon
foreign oil, helping fight global warming, and strengthening economic devel
opment.
My understanding is that there is a possibility that state/federal aid to m
ass transit could be above the projected 58%. These amendments would allow
the city to take advantage of this additional funding (to 60%) without one
additional dime of city funds. With dramatically rising fuel costs, it is c
ritical we capture this additional $190,000 for fuel while we still can.
I would also like to express my support for funding the summer bus route ci
rculating downtown to Carson Park. A route like this will connect people to
events at both Carson Park and Phoenix Park, as well as to downtown busine
sses and the library. This route should have been attempted a long time ago
, and this is our chance to give it a try without the use of city funds.
Many cities have circular routes like this that are great for tourism, and
they sometimes have buses outfitted as trolleys take people on the route. I
n fact, I know of some city staff who have privately expressed their desire
to see just that! As we move forward with downtown redevelopment, this cir
culating route will connect more people than ever before to the heart of ou
r city.
I think students who are around over the summer would really like to have t
his route to take them to campus or downtown since the normal university ro
utes don't operate over the summer. This route will be very inexpensive to
operate because it would use university drivers who are hired on for the wh
ole year anyway but don't have routes to drive over the summer.
This summer route is important to me, and I know that the Chippewa Valley M
useum would love to have this route because currently no routes go through
Carson Park.
Again, this route would only be included if the city transit receives more
than 58% it has projected, so both amendments are key to improving transit
in Eau Claire. Please vote for both of the transit amendments at Thursday's
vote on the budget. Thank you!
Jeremy Gragert
451 Lincoln Ave.
Eau Claire, WI 54701
jgragert@gmail.com<mailto:jgragert@gmail.com>
(612) 220-1970