|
Rev. John D. Roberts, my mentor in the
ministry, has a saying, “Little Prayer is Little Power. Much
Prayer is Much Power.” I would like to adapt and remix
Roberts’ bit of wisdom to say: “Little Information is Little
Power. Much Information is Much Power.” In fact, access to
information has always been a relevant social justice issues
for our community.
There are several critical local issues
addressing discrimination and equity that are currently
gaining political steam. I hope to shine light on many of
them in the coming weeks.
The first deals with TARTA’s recent plan to
eliminate bus transportation on Sundays and holidays, a
decision that negatively impacts minorities, low income and
disabled persons.
What do you need to know?
It is MORE than a Sales
Tax Issue:
The TARTA public relations
machine is in full swing portraying TARTA’s strapped
financial condition as “a result of being blocked from good
solutions by a small minority of suburban elected
officials.”
Don’t drink the Kool-Aid!
The truth is that TARTA’s
troubles are more likely to “stem from management problems
and an outmoded and inefficient business model,” according
to several sources familiar with the Authority’s operations.
Yet, it is no secret that
TARTA’s predominant role in this community is to help people
get to work. The people riding TARTA are likely to be
minorities, low income and the disabled who work hard and
view TARTA as a lifeline to get to church on Sunday or to
and from jobs that help them provide for their families.
While TARTA expands and
continues service for other more privileged clients,
including University of Toledo students and Walleye hockey
fans, the decision to cut services to the vulnerable
demonstrates bias towards low income, disabled and
minorities – a financial strategy being implemented as TARTA
simultaneously advertises for proposals to remodel the lobby
of the former Cherry Street Goodwill building it recently
bought.
First Things First:
When a transit authority proposes cuts, they are legally
required to first evaluate whether their proposal will have
a disparate impact on minorities and low-income people—and,
if so, suggest mitigation strategies or alternatives to the
cuts. TARTA has not met these legal requirements to provide
alternatives to avoid the deep and negative impact of its
cuts.
It
certainly appears that TARTA has little or no regard for the
people who form a significant portion of its client base and
who have repeatedly been loyal supporters of its past tax
levies.
The Authority, in fact,
was also required to hold two public hearings on these cuts,
which they did—on the same day—and without an opportunity
for dialogue on ways to avoid the negative impact on TARTA’s
riders.
Addressing the Real Problem: Either Reform or Replace
There is a need to end the pro-forma, check-the-box
responses to issues affecting minorities and low-income
persons and to begin real public engagement where
decision makers actually listen to the people they
are impacting.
In order to solve the real problems, then, TARTA, as an
organization, will need to be completely reformed or
completely replaced. We must demand such change that will
provide financial stability as well as transportation equity
for all.
As a result, United Pastors for Social Empowerment, with
assistance from Advocates for Basic Legal Equality (ABLE),
has filed an administrative complaint with the Federal
Transit Administration's Office of Civil Rights. In
addition, the Lucas County Commissioners are currently
assembling a task force to examine TARTA’s internal
operations and other alternative structures for our regional
transportation system.
Little Information is
Little Power. Much Information is Much Power!
Contact Rev. Donald Perryman, D.Min, at
drdlperryman@centerofhopebaptist.org
|
