120 Citizens Face off with Riley over Transit Center
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About 120 citizens faced off with the Rochester Genesee Regional Transit Authority on Thursday evening, November 25 at the Rochester Riverside Conventional Center. Individuals came to listen and speak at the first and only meeting with the public.
Members of various sectors of the community from activists to architects to city developers were present at the nearly four hour meeting, including Bill Coppard, owner of the Little Theatre, City Councilman Tim Mains, and Landmark Society of Western New York president Peter Segrist, all voicing concerns. Nearly 40 people spoke, the majority concerned or against the transit center, with most of the local media in attendance. RGRTA CEO Don Riley mc'ed most of the event. Rochester's own Raging Grannies were on hand to vocalize their concerns under no uncertain terms. RGRTA staff were on hand at the meeting preparing three hours prior to the start of the meeting.
In what amounted to one of the many strong points made that evening, RGRTA's Powerpoint presentation was flattened when city resident Carleen Woodward asked the presenter where all the buses were in the computer animation, as two of the directions of bus flow at the Main Clinton intersection were missing in what appeared to be a very sparsely travelled area. The presenter, Len Bertaux, responded initially that they were there and then realized that the presentation seemed inaccurate and told the crowd that they would have to "look into it".
Transit opponent and activist Andy Stainton pointed out that the key thing to remember here is a bus going through the Main and Clinton intersection every 20 seconds. Many voiced concerns over various issues affecting the poor of Rochester, riders being underground, environmental health dangers of fumes underground and pedestrians’ safety
The owner of a sub shop at the intersection told of how he'd put his life savings into his business (50,000 dollars) and was at no time told that it was in vain and that this project was coming. Don Riley interrupted the man and repeatedly interjected comments that he would be "taken care of". The man refuted that statement, insisting that that promise had been previously made and he had been ignored. The crowd urged Riley to allow the man to speak uninterrupted.
Public opinion/written comment period is open until December 15th. Writers are asked to begin gathering their thoughts and writing a letter voicing concerns. More will follow with regard to where to send a copy of your letter in addition to the letter you write to the RGRTA so stay tuned, more to follow. They are required by law to respond *in writing* to all concerns! Please email Sarah Brinklow at greenmonroe@excite.com
