Cumberland Bus Moves Forward
Published 3:37 pm Tuesday, November 20, 2012
CUMBERLAND – During the October Board of Supervisors meeting, the board discussed budget issues, focusing primarily on public services. The route of Piedmont Area Transit (PAT) in Cumberland County was finalized with a stop at Boone Trail being approved by a vote of three to two. The board also chose not to act on a requested Food Day proclamation, due to concerns of “political” language.
Chairman David Meinhard, District Four, opened discussion on the route of PAT by commenting on his frustration at not being given specific details on the ridership of the bus and asking “are we getting our money's worth out of what we're paying for it?”
The board was provided with maps of three alternative bus routes designed by Planning and Zoning Administrator Bret Schardein. County Administrator Vivian Giles informed the board that they could choose to vote on the route themselves or allow County staff to make that determination.
Throughout the 25 minute discussion, Bill Osl, District One, reiterated his frustration that the bus route had not yet been extended, although the funding had been approved, because the board could not reach an agreement regarding the route. He stated, we're “three months into the fiscal year, what the heck are we dragging our feet for?”
Both Meinhard and Banks raised issues concerning the amount of information provided by the bus carrier, Blackstone Area Bus System. Giles suggested that in the future, a county staff member may ride the bus to help gather data on ridership.
Meinhard stated that he was concerned that with the amount of state, local and federal funding that is used to fund the bus that “there is no more quality control or record of what they're doing.”
Osl stated that ridership numbers were given during the time of the budget, adding that the board had already voted twice on it, so “Get it implemented.”
Banks stressed his frustration with the proposed route, stating it wasn't equitable for the entire county; instead “we, the County, the 10,000 citizens of the County, are paying for the convenience of those that live on Boone Lane.”
Osl responded that “The citizens of the first district also pay for a sewer system that they have no benefit from whatsoever… If you're a citizen of Cumberland County. Then you're a citizen of Cumberland County.” He reminded the board that those who ride the bus are also paying ridership fees.
Osl moved that a stop be approved at the intersection of Deep Run and Boone Trail.
When questioned by Meinhard why the particular stop at Boon Trail, Osl stated that it was based on the input of the citizens of his district and the historical data provided by the bus carrier. He reiterated that he would be glad to change that stop if citizens or the carrier came to him at a later date with a different recommendation.
Ingle, Wheeler and Osl voted in favor of the stop at Boone Trail. Meinhard and Banks were opposed.
At the conclusion of the vote, Meinhard made a statement, declaring, “If the bus company can not give us – when this comes up for consideration on the budget – showing how many people get on at each stop, each day, to support this, I will definitely make a motion to cut the bus off all together.”
Kevin Ingle, District Three, recommended that after a couple of weeks, board members or a staff person ride the bus, to “clarify that we are making the correct stops in the right places. And if it isn't, then we'll look at the stops rather than the bus service itself.”
Banks also made a statement after the vote, “If there is some expense within this County, we should be able to document whether it is a good expense or a bad expense… And especially with the budget coming up soon, especially with reassessments going down, we should have some information to make good, reasonable decisions on, just like I would at my home.”
A short, heated discussion of the previous budget cycle followed between Banks and Osl.
They were cut short by Meinhard, who chastised them, “Let's quit trying to throw rocks at each other and trying to question each other's intelligence and try to turn on our brains and act as a board for a while.” He then introduced the next item of business.
During the second opportunity for public comment, resident Louis Seigel stated that he had attended the last few board meetings and was tired of hearing the bus route discussed. He asked why someone had not requested the bus carrier appear before the board while the route was being discussed. Seigel volunteered to ride the bus to ascertain how many people ride the bus, adding “I will do that. Because, I would like to see this board get off this bus business and go on to something a lot more important and a lot more urgent.” His comments and offer to ride the bus were met by applause. Meinhard added, “I feel sure you will be taken up on that offer.”
The Southside Virginia Chapter of Holistic Moms Network submitted a request to the board that October 21 be declared Food Day. The board chose not to act on the request, siting concerns regarding the “political” nature of some of the proclamation's language.
Bill Osl, District One, stated he had an issue with some of the wording. The proclamation states: “Whereas, reforming factory farms to protect the environment and farm animals is necessary to sustain future generations.” He stated that he did not understand what the definition of “factory farms” is or what the proclamation writers meant by it, adding “we have very large poultry operations in Cumberland County. Some people would call those factory farms. If that's included in this, then I have a problem with the resolution.”
Meinhard suggested that those would most likely be considered factory farms.
Osl also pointed to a segment on “obtaining fair pay and safe conditions for food and farm workers,” stating that the proclamation was “getting into a lot of political stuff here.”
Meinhard and Osl both stated that they agreed with the spirit of the proclamation and the idea of a Food Day, but were uncomfortable with some of the specifics.
The board chose to take no action on the proclamation.
Director of Economic and Community Development
Greg Baka reported that Plain And Simple Marketplace would be opening at the old True Value Hardware building on October 13. He stated it would be a multiuse business with computer services, food and vendor sales on Saturday mornings and potentially Friday night auctions in the future.
During public comment, Barbara Gamage invited all the board members to the Christmas Parade, which will be held December 9 at 2 p.m.
Scot Shippee, the new assistant residency administrator in the Dillwyn residency, was introduced to the board. The board was also updated on some VDOT projects. The department is preparing for winter by making a complete cycle of all mowing in all areas, as well as storing up salt and repairing trucks, “just in case we get any snow.”
VDOT is also preparing to work on Stony Point Bridge. When questioned by Ingle, the VDOT representative stated that there would probably be very minimal approach work on the road leading up to the bridge on the Cumberland side. The work will focus primarily on the bridge itself.
During her report to the board, School Superintendent Dr. Amy Griffin announced the school was offering technology classes to the community free of charge. The classes have been made possible through a 21st Century Grant, according to Dr. Griffin.
Enrollment is based on a first come/first served basis. Classes will be offered through May and include such topics as an Introduction to Microsoft Excel 2010, Introduction to Social Media, Introduction to Technology Devices and Introduction to Microsoft PowerPoint 2010. All classes will be taught by Elizabeth Jamerson, Director of Human Resources at Cumberland Public Schools.
For more information, contact Catina Settle at the school board office: 804-492-4212.
