Date: Thu, 28 May 2009 10:43:00 -0400
From: We cannot afford this bus schoolsbeforebusses at gmail.com
Subject: Chatham County budget concerns
The leadership of several grassroots organizations in Chatham County met last evening to discuss details of the proposed budget. One issue of importance needs our immediate action!
At a time when everyone is struggling to make ends meet, is it enough to propose a revenue neutral budget which really includes a 6% increase? Many people out of work and foreclosures are up as are delinquent taxes. We all have to make tough choices between “wants” and “needs”. The county should do the same thing.
While the budget cuts 11 teaching positions it includes $59,000 for a new Transportation Planner salary, $60,000 to update the Land Use Plan and $130,000 to cover the potential cost of the Chapel Hill – Pittsboro bus pilot project. It also includes $522,266 to continue the plan started last year to set aside money each year to buy future park land. While parks are nice they’re not necessary when people are losing their homes.
Chapel Hill Transit obtained a grant that would help pay to start bus service between Chapel Hill and Pittsboro for 18 months. It would be a limited run, express service intended for commuters that would service a very limited number of county residents. The details are still being worked about but Chapel Hill Transit will provide the busses, Pittsboro will pay approximately $20,000 and the County has allotted $130,000 for next year. Riders would pay $3 per trip or $65 per month. Any fares would reduce the cost. It will do little to help people without transportation since they will still have to find a way to get to one of the bus stops.
Mass transit is rarely cost effective even in areas with high population density which Chatham County is most certainly not. Why should people throughout the county that are struggling to make ends meet subsidize commuting for a few people with jobs in Chapel Hill, or worse, help to subsidize Chapel Hill Transit?
*BOTTOM LINE*
*** Chatham County should not favor eliminating 22 educators while adding a Director for a pilot transportation program*
**** This proposed bus line will benefit a select few at the cost of our entire county*
**** Is Chatham county REALLY proposing that we provide independent transportation options, or are we merely agreeing to supplement a failed Chapel Hill transportation program?*
**** The proposed budget includes a $59,000 salary for a NEW Transportation Director*
**** Is a bus line necessary? There is no justification for a bus line from Pittsboro to Chapel Hill*
We must act NOW! *Please forward this e-mail onto your e-mail lists*.
The Board of Commissioners will be reviewing the proposed budget over the next two weeks so contact them quickly to express your concerns about how your tax dollars are being spent.
We have included their contact information below. They need to hear form us by e-mail or phone call at once!
*There will be a Board of Commissioners meeting Monday June 1st at 9am in the Agriculture Building Auditorium (behind the courthouse in Pittsboro on the ground floor) with a Public Input Session – let your voice be heard!
*
George Lucier, Chair (District 3)
Mailing Address: PO Box 1809, Pittsboro NC 27312
Phone: 919-542-4629
Email:
Sally Kost, Vice Chair (District 1)
Mailing Address: PO Box 1809, Pittsboro, NC 27312
Phone: (919) 367-0727 (home), (919) 696-7840 (cell)
Email:
Allen Michael “Mike” Cross (District 2)
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 173, Moncure, NC 27559
Phone: (919) 774-3309
Email:
Carl E. Thompson, Commissioner (District 5)
Mailing Address: P. O. Box 1809, Pittsboro, NC 27312
Phone: (919) 837-2407
Email:
Tom Vanderbeck, Commissioner (District 4)
Mailing Address: P. O. Box 1809, Pittsboro, N.C. 27312
Phone: 919-545-2160
Email: