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Protestors rake council demanding city keep bus service
"That's the first time in my 12 years here that I've seen that," said Police Chief Tom Berry as he gazed out at the crowd gathered at city hall for this week's regularly-scheduled city council meeting.
Berry was referring to the numerous picket signs that could be seen near the back of the overcrowded room, commonly referred to as council's chambers.
The majority of the crowd had gathered to participate in the scheduled public hearing concerning the city's proposed Fiscal Year 2007 Budget and more than 20 citizens came forward to voice their concerns before council.
Public transportation and the proposal to cut funding for the city's bus service dominated the hearing.
Mark Deitz, of 945 Poplar Drive, was one of the first to approach council and said that, as a former airman at Mountain Home Air Force Base, he knew how many servicemen use the mass transportation system.
"Financially, it helps the young airmen significantly," he said.
Brad Peterson, of 425 N. Haskett Street, said that numbers on the bus he rides have increased dramatically since he first began riding.
"We started with about seven people or so," he said. "And now we're up over 30."
"If you choose to end this service on the 31st (August), then I'm done. I won't be able to get around at all."
According to a representative from Treasure Valley Transit, who operates the city's buses, the company is indeed scheduled to shut down operations at the end of the month but they will remain operational until the council sets their final budget.
Idaho State Statutes state that they have until September 7 to do so but council has scheduled a meeting for August 30, at which time they hope to finalize the FY07 Budget.
The importance of the bus service to employees of MHAFB was driven home by several people, military and civilian alike.
Duane Reynolds, of 340 E. 8th North Street, Apt. #19, said that with the number of people commuting to the air base, the buses are essential.
"Lots of airmen ride the bus with me," he said. "It's needed."
John A. Walker, of 1670 Windmere Drive, works for the fire department at the base and said that this issue isn't going away.
"There is no doubt that this area is growing," he said. "The amount of traffic here will only increase."
"Mass transit is one way to offset that."
Steven Walker, of 3807 N.W. Carolyn Place, took an even more direct approach, as he cautioned council against cutting funding for the buses.
"I have a lot of airmen that I'm responsible for," he said. "And if you don't vote for the buses, that's telling me you don't care about the military."
"That's telling me you don't care about the growth of this town."
Walker's wife, Cassandra, drives one of the city's buses and said that she sees the impact they have on a daily basis.
"These people are not just my customers," she said. "They're my friends."
James Wilson, of 60 E. 23rd Street, explained that cutting the buses would only increase problems for the city and the air base.
"I work at the lab out at the base and everytime we have to test something, we have to transport it," he said. "More traffic means more problems."
"Don't forget your emergency service workers when making this decision."
Susan Rueger, of 905 N. 14th East Street, who also works on base, touched on the independence a person feels when riding the bus.
"I work as a financial counselor and without this service, many airmen wouldn't be able to afford to go to work every morning," she said.
Rueger also told council about her own family and explained that when she was injured, the city bus was the only way her children could get around town.
"People riding the bus have options," she said. "Without that, they lose those options."
Rueger's 11-year-old son, Matt, also approached council and, battling through tears, explained how much the bus meant to him.
"It was the only transportation I had after my mom had surgery and I think it's important to the city," he said.
Several other concerns were raised during the hour-long public hearing, including questions about public funding of the golf course, property taxes and impact fees.
Laura Spence, of the Mountain Home Historical Society, was the last to approach council and asked them for an additional $12,000 for the museum.
As she concluded, the public hearing came to a close with a rap of Mayor Joe B. McNeal's gavel.
In other council news:
* Councilman Tom Rist asked City Attorney Jay Friedly what the mayor was doing at last week's Planning and Zoning meeting.
"We've had it drilled into us that we cannot attend," he said. "And I want to know what the mayor was doing there."
Friedly responded by telling Rist that he should ask the mayor himself; to which McNeal said that he was there as an advisor only.
"Since I don't have a vote on council except when there is a tie, I am allowed to attend as an advisor," he said. 'That's according to the law."
Councilwoman Alain Isaac pointed out that the mayor was privileged to information that the rest of them were not.
"What if we had a tie on one of these (P&Z) issues? Then where do we go, Jay?" she asked Friedly.
Friedly replied that he thought it was legal, but that he also advised the mayor not to attend in the future.
"I'll take it under advisement," McNeal said.
In other council action:
* Issues surrounding the proposed variance to the city's sign ordinance for Lamar Outdoor Advertising were discussed and council decided to table the item until the next council meeting.
"This is laughable," Rist said.
* Council voted to follow P&Z's recommendation to deny a Comprehensive Plan Land Use Map Amendment for Weitz & Company, Inc.
Council members also decided to table the proposal to annex and rezone the land, as well as approve a preliminary plat, for Weitz's proposed Syringa Ridge subdivision until the next council meeting.
* Council voted unanimously to override McNeal's veto of the Electronic-911 Readdressing Ordinance.
McNeal had City Clerk Nina Patterson read an explanation for his veto before council members voted to override.
With the vote the ordinance now becomes law, providing an effective date.
* A public hearing to discuss the city's proposed Water Rights Fee Ordinance was set for the regularly-scheduled council meeting on September 11.
Public Works Director Wayne Shepherd summarized the proposed ordinance.
"Basically what we are proposing to do is collect fees for water rights usage," he said. "Then we will be able to take that money and use it to purchase water rights for the city."
* The next council meeting is scheduled for August 28 at 6 p.m. at city hall.