So, last Oct. 6 the town issued a press release about a bus service survey being sent out. Blacksburg Transit, Virginia Tech and the New River Valley Planning District Commission were all involved. Didn't cost the town a dime.
This seemed to be something town leaders were interested in and would support. An initial presentation of the survey results was extremely positive and possible options were presented to council at their first April meeting. With budgets being drafted and special one-time federal stimulus dollars and new grants being available, what had not been financially feasible appeared to be within reach and boosted again by real-time data. Plus, everyone knew the Two-Town Trolley did not meet needs, even without the recent survey.
Then the brakes were applied at council's May 5 meeting. Some members weren't sure about the costs. They needed more info.
Why didn't Town Council start their "homework" when the survey went out?
Late on a Sunday night, notice of a work session (something extremely rare in Christiansburg) was sent out. This gives less than a day's notice of a public meeting, which typically require a minimum of three business notice (unless scheduled due to an emergency).
From: Michele Stipes (listserv@civicplus.com)
Sent: Sun 5/10/09 10:14 PM
This email is sent on behalf of the Town of Christiansburg, VA
Christiansburg Town Council will meet in a special work session Monday, May 18, 2009 at 2 p.m. at Christiansburg Town Hall located at 100 East Main Street, Christiansburg, VA.
Purpose of the meeting will be to review information from Blacksburg Transit on a proposal to extend bus service within the Town of Christiansburg.
Council needs to get on the bus, both with doing its job in a professional manner and following FOIA laws. It's not that difficult, as shown by a majority of other local governments throughout the country who seem to manage.