Lift Line Forum — My perspective
I attended the Lift Line Forum yesterday, and testified on behalf of someone who was so afraid of retribution and retaliation that they testified anonymously.
I am glad that about 90 people showed up, and I am VERY proud of the 30 or so folks who got up and spoke out about their outrage over the exorbitant fares that will come with the Lift Line expansion program. Mark Aesch and his staff sure got an earfull!
He heard from Mike Hale, who told him that he thought that they were using the high fares as a way to phase out Lift Line. Gene Spinning made a similar statement, and reminded Mark that when he presented this proposal before the CDR Board of Directors, he stated that three million dollars would be sufficient to keep the price of the expansion service down. At the time, Mark thought that he would get two million dollars from the state, but did not think that he would get three million dollars. Well, he got his three miliion, but the price was still out of sight, and Mark had no answer as to why when they got the extra million, the price did not come down, as he said it would. Kathy Tanchick spoke of how degrading it was for her when she used Lift Line years ago. Shelly Perrin told Mark a horror story of Lift Line agents assuring her that they went to a certain park where she was planning a party, only to find out too late that they didn’t. She told the audience, “Start opening your mouths and talk about this because if you don’t things won’t change!” Bobbie Wallach spoke of how happy she was to hear of the Lift Line expansion because she would now be able to come out of isolation, and get back involved in the community. She then spoke of her despair when she learned about the high fare, and wondered how, with only $40 left over per month after all her bills were paid, would she be able to afford this.
Mark heard from Anthony Griggs, who asked why RGRTA was collecting their fares off of the backs of poor people. “Its not fair”, he said. He heard from Mayra Pica, who spoke of the problem that Latinos with disabilities encounter with Lift Line. He heard from Christy Glenn, who asked him some tough questions such as what did they base their numbers on when they calculated the fare for the expansion. Joe Wheeler told Mark that the $17 fare was a scam. Amy Faer wondered how she would be able to afford the fare, once she finished school, and got out on her own. Mark heard some scathing commentary from Anita O’Brien, who remarked that people were being awfully nice in the face of this. She went on to really break it down for Mark regarding the realities of this fare increase for our community. Mark Aesch actually rolled his eyes at her! This tells you exactly what kind of heartless beast he is, to roll his eyes when hearing stories about the despair, anger, and concern that others feel regarding his policies.
I have to say, though, that I do not believe that RGRTA will change it’s mind about the fares. Remember, they voted to proceed with the program on August 2nd, despite the public outcry over their sham hearing on July 26th, and of course, the outrageous fares. Mark Aesch, who only stayed for an hour, is a master of spin, and spun his lies to the media. I noticed that they seemed hesitant to speak to members of the disability community, but ran over to Mark like he was Angelina Jolie when he entered the room. Kathy Tanchick and I both razed the Channel 13 WHAM reporter for doing that. To his credit, he did listen to us for quite a bit, and took our names and said that he wanted to follow up with us. We’ll see. That will be up to his editor, I suppose.
As far as I am concerned, September will come, and Lift Line users who live, do business, go to church, shop, or visit in the expanded areas will begin paying those obscene fares. GRGTA will continue on as they have been, showing disdain and utter disrespect for people with disabilities with impunity. Sure, Mark Aesch just might get that job in Tampa, but his leaving really won’t change anything. The attitude goes so far up the chain that changes will have to be made in the County government, then, on the RGRTA Board of Commissioners, down to the new CEO, upper management, administration, and on down to the ”little folks”, such as support staff, bus drivers, and of course, their union. Only a miracle of the Universe will shake RGRTA up enough so that they really understand how they come off to our community, and really WANT and make a REAL effort to try and change. Until then, the struggle continues…