Wenatchee has one of the best small city bus systems I've ever ridden. Drivers are friendly. Busses are clean and on time. And the busses are electric and quiet. Traffic is increasing in the valley so the bus benefits everyone even when they are driving their cars.
I'm at a loss to understand why? What would proponents of a repeal gain? There has to be something in it for them. If not, then it's malicious intent. Perhaps they resent the free aspect of Link, that a large percentage of users are perhaps migrants or disabled or homeless. Hmmm? This sort of solidifies a concern I have had for years...that the same elected officials, usually conservative Repubs, also serve on all the local boards and committees. They make ALL the decisions. There is little diversity of opinion! If they persist with this repeal effort voted by the PEOPLE, might they just be biting the hands that feed them?Are any of them up for re-election?
Boy, one place where I'd say we particularly don't need a conservative faction would be on the Link board if that faction is unwilling to let a fair vote stand simply because they don't much care for the result. This is a community, not a good old boys' club.
I have logged literally hundreds of miles over the years on Link just between Wenatchee and East Wenatchee, and in fact probably would not have been able to have stayed with my current job of 21 years without it. I have seen what a jewel Link is and how much so many people need and depend upon the service. Sure, some riders are homeless. Some riders have disabilities that get in the way of them driving. Some are elderly. These people need and want to move from Point A to Point B just like anyone else, and I'm proud to live in a place that helps that happen.
I would hope board members of any organization would be motivated to uplift and fortify rather than to undercut and hamstring. The old 'With friends like this ,who needs enemies?' comes to mind .
According to ex-CEO Richard DeRock last year when this was discussed, sales tax dollars are tied to state funding and other transit systems that have done similar things in the past get passed over for state funds after they turn money down like this. It said it does irreparable damage to a transit system's ability to get money from state and federal sources. Ben Franklin Transit's board considered doing something similar but they would have lost $33 million in five years. I quote from DeRock's presentation in my coverage of that meeting last year here: https://open.substack.com/pub/dominickb/p/link-transit-board-faction-fails?r=1184r4&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
Current CEO Nick Covey said the "Climate Commitment Act (CCA) funding is tied to any reduction in local funding." A repeal of the CCA is actually on the November ballot, sponsored by Let's Go Washington.
As I get older I know at some point I will need link so I voted for the increase. I also realize that others need Link now! Housing for low income earners is hard to come by. New low income housing has moved out to areas like Entiat. Things I worry about, do they run busses that can get people to work who have shifts starting every 8 or 10 hours? What happens when their children are sick? The parents need to go get them and return them possibly to a Dr. in the valley. The workers shop in the valley so somehow to me there has to be more frequent bus routs to help ALL of the people get to where they need to get going.
By the way we need affordable Senior housing in the Valley, maybe something similar to the SHAG housing in Seattle?
Wenatchee has one of the best small city bus systems I've ever ridden. Drivers are friendly. Busses are clean and on time. And the busses are electric and quiet. Traffic is increasing in the valley so the bus benefits everyone even when they are driving their cars.
I'm at a loss to understand why? What would proponents of a repeal gain? There has to be something in it for them. If not, then it's malicious intent. Perhaps they resent the free aspect of Link, that a large percentage of users are perhaps migrants or disabled or homeless. Hmmm? This sort of solidifies a concern I have had for years...that the same elected officials, usually conservative Repubs, also serve on all the local boards and committees. They make ALL the decisions. There is little diversity of opinion! If they persist with this repeal effort voted by the PEOPLE, might they just be biting the hands that feed them?Are any of them up for re-election?
I agree.
Boy, one place where I'd say we particularly don't need a conservative faction would be on the Link board if that faction is unwilling to let a fair vote stand simply because they don't much care for the result. This is a community, not a good old boys' club.
I have logged literally hundreds of miles over the years on Link just between Wenatchee and East Wenatchee, and in fact probably would not have been able to have stayed with my current job of 21 years without it. I have seen what a jewel Link is and how much so many people need and depend upon the service. Sure, some riders are homeless. Some riders have disabilities that get in the way of them driving. Some are elderly. These people need and want to move from Point A to Point B just like anyone else, and I'm proud to live in a place that helps that happen.
I would hope board members of any organization would be motivated to uplift and fortify rather than to undercut and hamstring. The old 'With friends like this ,who needs enemies?' comes to mind .
My husband is curious if you know what the original measure passed by?
58 5
Was the the number of pro vs anti Link comments at the meeting today?
"It would also mean Link would not be eligible to receive state transit dollars in the future."
Do you know why that is?
According to ex-CEO Richard DeRock last year when this was discussed, sales tax dollars are tied to state funding and other transit systems that have done similar things in the past get passed over for state funds after they turn money down like this. It said it does irreparable damage to a transit system's ability to get money from state and federal sources. Ben Franklin Transit's board considered doing something similar but they would have lost $33 million in five years. I quote from DeRock's presentation in my coverage of that meeting last year here: https://open.substack.com/pub/dominickb/p/link-transit-board-faction-fails?r=1184r4&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
Current CEO Nick Covey said the "Climate Commitment Act (CCA) funding is tied to any reduction in local funding." A repeal of the CCA is actually on the November ballot, sponsored by Let's Go Washington.
As I get older I know at some point I will need link so I voted for the increase. I also realize that others need Link now! Housing for low income earners is hard to come by. New low income housing has moved out to areas like Entiat. Things I worry about, do they run busses that can get people to work who have shifts starting every 8 or 10 hours? What happens when their children are sick? The parents need to go get them and return them possibly to a Dr. in the valley. The workers shop in the valley so somehow to me there has to be more frequent bus routs to help ALL of the people get to where they need to get going.
By the way we need affordable Senior housing in the Valley, maybe something similar to the SHAG housing in Seattle?