tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8831048171162992537.post7987033004630916116..comments2022-12-04T08:56:06.850-08:00Comments on Transit Rider PDX: Sock PuppetsUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8831048171162992537.post-9894315688323364912013-05-14T11:08:09.921-07:002013-05-14T11:08:09.921-07:00Diane Goodwin, TriMet
Diane Goodwin, TriMet<br />Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03196865380777704986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8831048171162992537.post-63938520529194687552013-05-14T11:06:58.347-07:002013-05-14T11:06:58.347-07:00Hi Patrick,
Appreciate you raising these question...Hi Patrick,<br /><br />Appreciate you raising these questions. There are certainly pros and cons to elected vs. appointed boards. Some points to consider:<br /><br />1. TriMet board is comprised of volunteers. They are not beholden to special interest groups, donors or a particular political agenda. As you know from the politics in Congress, this has been a great concern of American voters. The debate around background checks before the purchase of a gun is a perfect example. More than 90 percent of voters support them, but many members of Congress are beholden to donors and a powerful gun lobby that does not support them, so they are voting against the American people.<br />2. The Lane Transit District and TriMet Boards have been appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate since these agencies were created. Both transit districts have historically enjoyed tremendous community and business support for transit. But for this deep recession, both agencies were growing as well. Remember, business is critical to the funding of both transit districts through payroll taxes.<br />3.In addition to a volunteer board, TriMet also has in place standing citizen groups that review and oversee the budget, services for Elderly and Disabled riders and now Transit Equity. <br />4. Finally, as a part of your analysis dig deeper into transit agencies that have elected boards. How well are they funded? How much support do they have from the region? How equitably do they distribute their service? What were the impacts on their service during this deep recession?<br />Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03196865380777704986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8831048171162992537.post-64537876008273955802013-05-11T15:46:30.568-07:002013-05-11T15:46:30.568-07:00some guy: I agree with you that HB 3316 doesn'...some guy: I agree with you that HB 3316 doesn't go far enough. I think it is a step in the right direction, as I feel that obviously it should be in the people's hands as to who's on the board of directors. To me it is more of a shock that such a bill actually exists, because generally anything that is that strictly trying to change such a system like TriMet doesn't ever actually appear before the people or Congress. However, I hope that there are further bills and that it helps the people really see where this needs to change and gives people the ability to change it.Patrick Stanleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00351860199462495974noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8831048171162992537.post-33758262838923042682013-05-10T14:01:02.756-07:002013-05-10T14:01:02.756-07:00HB3316 is a step in the right direction but it doe...HB3316 is a step in the right direction but it doesn't go far enough. <br /><br />There needs to be codified selection criteria, to ensure that appointees are users of the service; to ensure that proper stewardship over taxpayer resources can be achieved; and to ensure that business needs are met.<br /><br />Also, it shouldn't be the County executives that are making these selections, but the City executives, or even better, the vote of the people in the various congressional districts (there, I just made that easy). Giving Metro a seat (two?) on the BoD is just asking for more of what we have today - they should have NO say on the BoD.some guyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08654725451671209580noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8831048171162992537.post-19569336245839718352013-05-10T00:34:39.575-07:002013-05-10T00:34:39.575-07:00After a little homework, I now remember reading ab...After a little homework, I now remember reading about this in one of Joe Rose's articles. Although I thought at the time HB 3316 didn't go far enough to make TM accountable by direct election, it is a step in the right direction, IMO.HRSRampantLionhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15166856256066000466noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8831048171162992537.post-72571418185937780782013-05-09T23:57:04.890-07:002013-05-09T23:57:04.890-07:00WOW!!! GOOD NEWS TO ME--HB 3316. This is the fir...WOW!!! GOOD NEWS TO ME--HB 3316. This is the first I've heard of this. Much thanks to you and Al M for turning me on to it!HRSRampantLionhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15166856256066000466noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8831048171162992537.post-20377298870169293552013-05-09T22:33:55.287-07:002013-05-09T22:33:55.287-07:00"And seriously, if I have to vote for Soil an..."And seriously, if I have to vote for Soil and Water people on my voting ballot, why can't I vote for the TriMet board, something I actually care about?"<br /><br />~~~>Truly a great line !alvinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12679592116418286434noreply@blogger.com