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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsRight-wing city council ends transit program for poor and disabled purely on ideological grounds
This popped up in the local news this week and isn't getting enough coverage. I want as many people as possible to know about it. The douchebaggery seeping out of this makes me ill. I guess it's what I get for not voting in local elections.
http://www.yourhoustonnews.com/bay_area/news/lc-s-andy-mann-if-you-need-help-getting-around/article_be2517d9-e394-52cf-bb13-9c092ab798ac.html
LC's Andy Mann: If you need help getting around, move to Galveston
League City Councilman Mick Phalen said he plans to ask the council to reconsider a vote to discontinue subsidized door-to-door service for low-income or disabled residents that transports them to and from jobs, medical appointments and other places they need to go.
The program, provided through grant money acquired by the Gulf Coast Center, has been operating for several years at no cost to the city, but after Aug. 31, federal grant funds to continue the program, which provides about 800 trips a year for League City residents, will depend on a local match of $8,500 per year, or $27,013 for three years, said Gulf Coast Center consultant Gary Goodman of The Goodman Corp.
Many of the people who use the program, who will pay about $12 per trip, are disabled and need help getting to work or to clinics for medical services, Goodman said.
Phalen said Friday that hes disgusted by fellow Councilman Andy Manns comments during Tuesdays city council meeting, when officials voted 6-1 against continuing the service.
I dont get this, Mann said at the meeting. There was a period in my life where I was broke, and I didnt have gas for my car, and I walked.
I guess Im coming off as a heartless Republican, but this sounds like something that the churches and community services organizations like the United Way would address.
Mann said League City does not want to become some sort of entitlement community, adding that the city should encourage self-reliance and suggesting that people who require public services move to Galveston, because that community has already made the choice - We want to build public housing. We want people to have free rides everywhere.
America gives us all choices of where we can live, Mann said. How do we build a community that is self-reliant, understanding that were part of a bigger network? How do we instill self-reliance so that this thing goes on to the next generation and its a place where they can come back to. It just reminds me so much of my hometown, Port Arthur. And I cant go home. I cant raise my kids back there.
After the Galveston County Daily News interviewed a dialysis patient who said he needs the transportation service to get medical care, Mann posted on his Facebook page Thursday night: I called Mr. Prior and told him my son would be glad to drive him to his appointment. He didn't pick up so I am attempting to get an address so I can stop by.
Mistake
Phalen said that although he also voted against continuing the service, he now feels his vote was a mistake and he does not agree with Manns comments. I would call them embarrassing, he said. We can philosophically talk about role of government, but phrasing it in that context....it was embarrassing for League City.
Phalen said he does believe that a door-to-door transportation service would be better suited to a nonprofit organization or church, and said hell ask the council to consider providing the public match with the understanding that officials will explore ways to transition to burden to charitable organizations.
Councilman Dan Becker said during Tuesdays meeting that he disagrees with taking federal funds for programs that he philosophically does not agree with, adding that until cities start standing up to the federal government, the system is never going to get fixed.
Councilman Dennis OKeefe said that while I have great compassion for people who are not as fortunate as we are, he feels the need for transportation will be met by a park and ride service that was approved at Tuesdays council meeting, providing service between UTMB facilities in League City and Galveston. I believe we have an adequate substitute at this time.
With Tuesdays lone vote in favor of the transit service, Councilwoman Joanna Dawson said Friday that she feels the service is beneficial for League City residents, including veterans and families caring for relatives while trying to hold down a job.
I feel a deep empathy for working families in League City who have to transport an aging parent, Dawson said, noting that its often not possible for a working adult to take time off for a relatives medical appointments. Often, the relative winds up in assisted living instead, she said.
I think we need to help them, and I think the price was good, Dawson said.
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One thing this article failed to mention (but you can find in the other local article about it) is that a federal grant would have provided $200,000 if the city put up the $8,500. That's right, the feds would have paid 96% of the damn thing. They've been paying 100% for the past several years, and wanted a little from the city this year. But no, that's not going to work when, like Mann said, the elderly, poor, and disabled can just walk the thirty miles to Galveston.
It is possible to be a bigger p.o.s. than this? I'd expect comments like Mann's from the Legion of Doom, not my local city council.
cali
(114,904 posts)Bolo Boffin
(23,796 posts)How in the hell could you be philosophically opposed to poor and disabled people getting a ride to work?
elehhhhna
(32,076 posts)nadinbrzezinski
(154,021 posts)and the problem is that it will pass, but people will actually die when we finally see the end of this idiocy.
And it is things like this that will lead to the end of this crap.
salin
(48,955 posts)Disgusting. Clearly in this community there is NO sense of community and no empathy for those in need.
CurtEastPoint
(18,680 posts)Douchebag Supreme.
crunch60
(1,412 posts)tx for posting his mugshot, so we all know who he is now.
LASlibinSC
(269 posts)I'm gobsmacked. These asshats are especially hateful in smaller cities and towns, big fish in small ponds shit. I was like you. I thought well these people live here too, they want the best for the town. Wrong I started hearing words like entitled, dependent federal handout. Local politics matter, thats where these bastards cut their teeth. Don't let them go unchallenged.!
Odin2005
(53,521 posts)OffWithTheirHeads
(10,337 posts)It's really too bad a Hell does not exist for these people to rot in.
riderinthestorm
(23,272 posts)for interminable number of years.
Now multiply that times the 800 other people who are using this system that these fuckers need to provide transport for every year.
Simply disgusting. The feds would be providing 96% of the funding (the town vetoed the entire thing because they'd have to provide for a measly 4%).
gratuitous
(82,849 posts)Because after all, the residents doubtless are all life-long Republicans, and golly, who else could they possibly vote for if not these fine gentlemen?
Politicalboi
(15,189 posts)Is put up a sign in the van or on the van or both that says "Your government pays 96% of this ride". Let these "No Government" assholes have to be seen in a commie van. It may wake some of them up as to who is really looking out for them.
proud2BlibKansan
(96,793 posts)because the right wing asshats on the county commission refused to accept federal money to run the clinic.
So the kids in the county have no more access to affordable vaccines. And of course, women have no more affordable health care.
I despise these people. They're ruining our country, one community at a time.
Doctor_J
(36,392 posts)they're not - they're rabid, demented animals - a cancer badly in need of radical treatment. It disgusts me that the president I worked and voted for treats them better than he does decent people.
saras
(6,670 posts)Correct.
I dont get this, Mann said
Correct.
Accident at work? Getting old? Car die? Get the fuck out of town.
If that's the only way to move towards getting rid of the automobile, so be it. Sounds good to me.
JPZenger
(6,819 posts)George Cauldron
(14 posts)According to his profile on the city website, Mann is a member of the Big Brothers of Galveston County. I can only imagine the sort of wisdom he imparts upon impressionable young kids.
dana_b
(11,546 posts)for those who would like to comment:
https://www.facebook.com/councilmanandymann
Manifestor_of_Light
(21,046 posts)So is your son going to drive the 800 other people who need these services to their appointments, jobs, etc. as well??? The federal government covers 96% of the cost of these vital services to citizens and your town is TOO CHEAP to provide a measly $8,500.00?
i'm a native texan and I cannot believe these recta.
Nobody represents me any more in any governmental office.
ananda
(28,895 posts)Also a proud home of the KKK.
In 1992 David Duke came there to speak during his campaign for the presidency.
I joined a group of protesters there, carrying a sign that said: Hitler 1932 Duke 1992.
Leftist Agitator
(2,759 posts)Has forfeit their rights as a fellow human being. Interpret that as you will, because if I post how I feel, I'll very shortly after be gone from DU.
Suffice it to say that I'm rapidly losing my patience with these fuckers.
Zalatix
(8,994 posts)Manifestor_of_Light
(21,046 posts)"As you did it unto the least of them, so also you did it unto Me."