|
MEASURE NO. 24-238 Salem-Keizer Mass Transit District Argument in Favor Transit is good for smart development Measure 24-238 would assure Salem of the transit system it deserves - including Sunday service (8:00 a.m to 7:00 p.m.), more frequent buses on some high-demand routes (15 minute intervals in some cases) and two new “transit centers” providing more direct connections and neighborhood convenience. Transportation choice is key to a vibrant livable community: Improved Infrastructure: Our transit system is a critical part of Salem’s transportation infrastructure, we need to continue to invest in its maintenance and improvement. Encourage Transit-Oriented-Development: Across the country new developments are being built close to transit stops precisely because consumers are choosing to ride the bus more and more often and recognize it as remarkable amenity. Good development depends on good transit. Promote Walkable Neighborhoods: Vibrant neighborhoods attract business and residents, people walk more when they can ride the bus. Positive Change: As gas prices rise, congestion increases, and our time becomes more precious, it will make more sense for more people to take advantage of a complete transit system. Smart Choice: “Discretionary ridership” is up all around the country (Wall Street Journal, June 20, 2006). People are choosing to use mass transit because it is economical and convenient. Good Business: Studies show that more and more businesses factor in the convenience of transit when making decisions about their location. We need good transit to attract creative and entrepreneurial business and residents. Community and Personal Benefits: More and more citizens are discovering the benefits of transit - financial benefits from less driving, environmental benefits of less pollution, health benefits from walking more. Transit is a good investment for the citizens of Salem and Keizer - and a good investment in the future. Don Myers, Sustainable Development Inc. Tony Nielsen, A.C. Nielsen Development Services LLC Eric Olsen, Olsen Design and Development Inc.
(This information provided by Anthony Nielsen) Argument in Favor Yes for Cherriots - Measure 24-238 We all know someone who needs the bus. We have friends and neighbors who cannot drive and who need public transportation to get to necessary doctors’ appointments, shopping and other destinations. Bus service is a necessity for people who can’t drive - seniors, students and people with disabilities.Buses also provide low cost transportation for many workers. And buses help air quality by reducing auto emissions. By taking 4,000 or more cars off of the road very week day, Cherriots helps reduce traffic congestion and lessen the demand for valuable parking spaces. Safe, reliable bus transportation makes it possible for people who cannot drive to be independent. Cherriots helps improve the quality of life for people throughout our community. Please join us in supporting this wonderful and essential public service . . . Because someone you know needs the bus! Vote YES for Measure 24-238South Salem Neighborhood AssociationSalem/Keizer Coalition for Equality Salem Downtown Association Central Area Neighborhood Development Assoc. CANDO George H. Bell Mike Shultz Ray Le Francois Larry Gray Bryan Johnston Luis B. Caraballo Jan Margosian Kathyrn Prather, librarian David A. Rhoten Robert Kraft Randy Fishfader Tom Stern Merrily McCabe Dana Lynne Ray, bookstore manager Gary W. Boehne Lois Rosen Jill D. Johnson Susan Lee Graves Patricia Harms, library assistant
(This information provided by George H. Bell) Argument in Favor Public transportation is a good investment. A good reason to vote YES on the Salem Keizer Transit District measure is that public transit is a sound investment in our communities.This measure is a small price to pay for an important community investment. The bus system helps our local economy in several ways: - Buses provide cost-effective transportation for people to get to work, school, shopping and medical appointments; - Public transportation is especially vital during tough economic times, when some people cannot afford to drive a car. This is especially important with the unstable price of gasoline; - Employers looking to expand or locate in the area expect a quality transit system that provides service throughout the community; - A quality transit system encourages development to invest in transit corridors and build walkable neighborhoods. With the lack of a double majority in May, Salem Keizer Transit District has been forced to cut service by more than 15% in September. Let’s invest in our community and Salem Keizer Transit, rebuild efficient service and provide limited Sunday bus service. It’s time to protect our community’s investment. Vote YES on Measure 24-238. Dennis Koho Jim Craven Coralie J. Rhoten T. R. Melton Mary H. Sabatini, CPA Kevin Davidson Gary Spore Les Margosian Mary Prohm, thrift store manager Joanne V. Stern Carol Doolittle Claudia Fisher, librarian Mary Lou Zeek Gallery Casey’s Hotdogs Frankie Bell (This information provided by Dennis Koho) Argument in Favor Transit is a Necessity for the Disabled Trapped in your home. That’s how it feels to be disabled and without transportation. You cannot go to the store, the library, or to the home of a friend. You cannot participate in local events. Your life is contained within a block or two of your home. This is life for a disabled person without transit. Transit is our lifeline to the world. It can be hard for healthy folks to imagine our position as they walk, run, ride bikes or drive wherever they like without assistance and without transit. But imagine if you couldn’t see. Imagine if you couldn’t walk. See how the world around you gets incredibly smaller. Transit opens the world to those with disabilities. In September the district was forced to cut services by 16% and layoff more than 20 drivers, as well as administrative staff. This measure will replace lost services and positions and add Sunday service. PLEASE consider others when voting in November and please vote YES on 24-238. American Council of the Blind of Oregon Neal H. Feldman Ralph Jull Mark W. Knecht Janet Lowther Tina Hansen
(This information provided by Neal H. Feldman) Argument in Favor Public transportation helps spur urban renewal development It is in a community’s best interest to insure that as much new growth as possible occurs where roads, schools, sewer and water already exist and where genuine transportation options are available.Together with other local developers, our development activities in Salem will eclipse $40 million over the next three years, all of it in urban renewal projects in neighborhoods that some consider “blighted”. One important component we seek in making investment decisions is whether or not a redevelopment site is well-served by public transit. We believe that public transit provides cost-effective transportation for employees, tenants and customers for our mixed-use projects. Salem residents will soon see a new YWCA building on North Broadway and a new Salem Senior Center at Portland Road & Pine Street with over 130 new apartments in addition to nearly 40,000 square feet of office and retail space. A YES vote on the Salem Keizer Transit District measure is a sound investment in our communities. Whether you ride a bus or not, remember that thousands of productive citizens are reliant upon this service. Urban renewal and the transit service are necessary and important aspects of a strong community. Vote YES on Measure 24-238 David Glennie, Telos Development Co. Bryan Johnston, Telos Development Co. Ken Dalke, Dalke Construction Co. Larry Dalke, Dalke Construction Co. Jim Schiess, Dalke Construction Co.
(This information provided by David S. Glennie, Telos Development Co.) Facts about Measure 24-238 Why is Measure 24-238 needed? In September of this year, with ridership running more than 6% above last year’s record, the transit district was forced to cut fixed route service by more than 15%. A measure submitted to the voters in May passed, but without the necessary “double majority” to be enacted. Those cuts will result in more limited service in many areas, more crowded buses and more late arrivals. This measure is needed to restore the most essential of those cuts, assist in building two new transit centers (which will allow the district to operate more efficiently) and provide limited Sunday service to the community. Why doesn’t the District just increase fares to raise revenues? The district has increased fares by 33% in the past 21 months. But fares must allow seniors, students and low income riders who depend on the bus to ride. If you don’t ride the bus, why should you care? Safe and reliable public transit benefits the entire community, not just those who ride the bus. Buses ease traffic congestion and air pollution. Bus riders don’t require parking places downtown or in residential neighborhoods. Buses provide affordable transportation for seniors, people with disabilities and others who can’t drive. And, especially during difficult economic times, buses help people get to jobs, school and medical appointments. Please join us in voting yes on Measure 24-238 Jeannette Holman Sonny Ortiz Eric Jacobson Hersch Sanster Marcia Kelley Jerry Thompson Lloyd Chapman, President Salem-Keizer Transit
(This information provided by Lloyd Chapman) Argument in Favor Salem Keizer Transit provides essential transportation for people with disabilities. “One of the most serious challenges facing Oregonians with disabilities is finding jobs. And, once they find a job, how do they get there? Most of them cannot drive. Salem Keizer Transit is essential transportation for our citizens with disabilities. Many of them could not stay employed without Cherriots to get them to work.” Tim Kral, Executive Director Oregon Rehabilitation Association
“Almost every individual with disabilities served by Garten Services uses public transportation to reach their job site. Expanded evening and weekend hours would open up many new opportunities for people with disabilities in Salem and Keizer.” Lori Patterson Garten Program Manager
“I ride to work on the bus and they take me where I need to go. I give them tickets. Yeah, I like buses. They are very important.” Mathew Duckwall Shangri La Program Participant (This information provided by Tim Kral) Argument in Favor Quality Transit Helps the Environment A strong transit system is great for the environment! Our local bus system, Cherriots, takes four to five thousand cars off of our streets each day and makes the drive a little easier for those who do not take the bus. By reducing the number of cars on the road, the buses reduce air pollution in the community. Forty-four of Salem Keizer Transit’s eighty-bus fleet are powered by compressed natural gas, a clean burning fuel. A convenient, reliable transit system reduces our dependence on foreign oil and reduces the need to build expensive new highways as the community grows. It is an important step in addressing global warming. Buses provide another alternative for getting around town - giving people who can drive a choice for some of their trips. And bus riders don’t require a parking place downtown!! Support a cleaner and better environment - Vote YES on Measure 24-238. Peter B. Brown Frank Mauldin Nathan Good Andy Harris, M.D. Tina Schweickert Ronald Eber Rich Swartzentruber Jonathan Yoder Pamela Schmidling Bob Coe Ronald P. Loftus (This information provided by Ronald Eber)
The printing of these arguments does not constitute an endorsement by Marion County nor does the county warrant the accuracy or truth of any statements made in the arguments. Marion County does not correct errors in spelling or grammar.
|