Cap Metro Power Play Part Two
Cap Metro Power Play Part Two
Howdy Comrades!
As predicted in my post last December, Cap Metro officials are apparently seeking to limit the power or intimidate the Access Advisory Committee again. Under the guise of “determining future strategies for STS,” the Chair and Vice-Chair of the Access Committee have been summoned to a confab with the powers that be at the agency. Two disabled citizens pitted against at least five Cap Metro officials. These officials include a rep from the legal department, the Assistant Director of Cap Metro, Director of Para-Transit, and Gina Estrada, Metro Board Liaison and the ubiquitous Nancy Crowther, our so-called ADDA / Accessibility expert and general factotum. Do I smell just a whiff of a possible gang bang in the works here? Metro is probably devoting 250 man hours to this rather vaguely defined meeting according to one estimate by an expert source, who happens to be both a gentleman and a statesman.
The question arises, what is Cap Metro really up to by calling this high caliber meeting? Moreover, if the meeting is so important, why weren’t members of the major consumer group in the blind community, the Austin Chapter of the National Federation of the Blind, invited to attend these important deliberations? Moreover, if the point of the meeting is to explore the future of the Special Transit Service and accessible transportation in our community, why has Metro lawyered up? NFB boasts two excellent lawyers as members of our local chapter, and I’m sure we could get one or both of them to attend as well. After all, that’s only fair, right?
Well, comrades, I’m not sure if this meeting will actually happen. Clearly, the disability community here in
Regards,
Chairman Mal
Power to the Peeps!
posted by Chairman Mal at
3:23 PM
3 Comments:
Attention Comrades!
Further research has revealed that Chairman Mal had a few facts wrong in his post, but I have the correct information concerning those who have been invited to the meeting he expounded upon in his article. Attendees invited are:
Judy Watford, Access Chair
Diane Bomar, Access vice Chair
Dwight Ferrel, Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer
Andrea Lofye, Chief of Staff
Inez Evans, Director of Paratransit
Kerri Davidson, Legal and the ADA/Accessible Transportation Specialist. He is correct in asserting that no NFB member has been invited at this point. Respectfully submitted, Drew L Spitz, Director of Very Public Affairs, ATC/BPP
I hope my work vouchers will not be taken away. I could lose my job and go back to assisted living. rf
Wait a minute! I have a question which must be answered. Aren't there at least a few in the NFB who oppose paratransit themselves? Or has that been resolved? Just curious. I seem to hear never-ending horror stories about paratransit. I used it several years back and didn't think it was very good myself. This isn't to say that I oppose the concept of ADA paratransit, but why can't somebody just fix it for good?
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home