Commissioners Cut CCT Bus Routes

This is a live blog of the commissioner's meeting this morning.

The board cut service to three transit bus routes, 35, 65 and 70, due to lack of ridership.

The decision, part of cutting , also includes cutting the paratransit buses that follow the same routes and serve the disabled community.

The regular routes will close Aug. 1.

9:06 am Innvocation and pledge are out of the way.

Commissioner JoAnn Birrell is recognizing Alex Walker for inspiring his co-workers to sustain a healthy lifestyle. County is dedicating a walking trail in his honor. 

9:12 The Board is presenting Keep Cobb Beautiful with the 2011 National Association of Counties Achievement Award for the medication disposal days program. It's a safe way to dispose potentially hazardous products. 

9:17 Speaker time.

First of four speakers. Please don't discontinue the routes for the disabled. Speaker says her disabled son takes the paratransit bus 65. He has no other way to get to and from work.

New speaker is a disabled resident who takes a paratransit bus. It's her only way to work. She's a small business owner and sees the situation from a financial standpoint, but you've got to look at the human element, she said. It takes people to work and doctor's appointments. If you do away with this service, please give us an alternative, she said.

9:22 New speaker. People who ride paratransit don't have alternatives. If you cut paratransit you are doing it on the backs of the disabled, he said. Save route 65.

9:27 New speaker says the job situation in the county is scary. Why would the board do anything that would keep people from getting to work.

9:31 Consent agenda passes unanimously.

This includes

- the appropriation of monies for traffic signal installation and roadway improvements at the intersection of the East/West Connector and Gaylor Street.

- a construction agreement with GDOT for the Town Center Area Adaptive Traffic Control System.

- the ranking of the three most qualified firms to develop the

9:47 CCT is up.

Transportation Director says 463 paratransit riders would be affected. Cost for the three regular and paratransit routes per year is $3.1 million.

Chairman Tim Lee is reminding the audience about the cuts made earlier this year. That included a 10 percent cut in all departments, and furlough days for employees, he said.

It's unfortuante we find our selves in this position, Lee said. We have a legal obligation, however, to balance the budget.

It is unfortunate that cuts affects some people negatively way, he said.

Lee makes the motion to cut the three bus routes and associated paratransit routes. Commissioner Helen Goreham seconds it.

Commissioner Bob Ott wants transit director to explain how federal funding helps subsidize the paratransit service and how it goes away when the regular bus routes are eliminated.

Commissioner Birrell says there will be information on the county's web site for alternative transportation.

Commissioner Woody Thompson says sometimes you have to make unpopular decisions.

Commissioner Helen Goreham says this is not an easy decision.

10:01 The board votes 5-0 in favor of cutting the regular bus and associated paratransit services for the three routes.

10:02 Moving on.

Board is holding a hearing regarding the application for for an alcohol beverage work permit for Franklin Harlow while working at Taco Mac.

Officer says Harlow didn't list his legal history on a renewal application. Harlow says it was a misunderstanding, that he has a wife and a child to feed.

Commissioner Thompson says it was all an honest mistake.

Board votes to approve the license.

10:13 And we are adjourned.