Agencies asking City Council for transportation aid
Transportation for the Boys and Girls Club and adults with disabilities will be on the Conway City Council agenda as it meets at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday.
The council will consider a $20,000 contract with the Boys and Girls Club to provide after-school and summer transportation with the funding going toward the cost of gasoline, maintenance, insurance and salaries for drivers.
The proposed contract with the Faulkner County Council for Developmental Disabilities is for $30,000 and would support transportation services for employment, medical, educational and personal needs of persons with developmental disabilities who have jobs in the community.
In years past, the city had provided funding for transportation for FCCDD, the Faulkner County Senior Citizens Center and the Boys and Girls Club, closing a gap once filled by federal funds.
But last year, the city was unable to meet requests from those agencies as using funds from the street department budget was disallowed.
The 88th General Assembly, however, passed a bill — now Act 752 — sponsored by State Rep. Linda Tyler, D-Conway, that redefined public transportation, allowing the use of state highway turn-back funds to be used for such purposes.
Co-sponsors with Tyler were State Rep. David Meeks, R-Conway, and State Sens.
Gilbert Baker, R-Conway; David Wyatt, D-Batesville; and Paul Bookout, D-Jonesboro.
Members of the community led a campaign early this year to help fund the Senior Citizens’ “life necessary” transportation program and raised enough from individuals and one family foundation to keep the buses rolling for seniors to go to doctors’ appointments and other services.
A $50,000 grant from the Walmart Foundation last month ensured that the seniors’ transportation services would continue for another year.
The FCCDD, also known as the supported work program, has struggled this year, according to director Rennia Johnston, cutting back on grocery store visits and other trips in order to keep adults with disabilities meeting their work responsibilities.
The Boys and Girls Club also has cut back on its transportation services, even as demand has grown. During the school year, the club picks up children from 15 Conway public schools to take them to the Clubs.
State Rep. Tyler said Sunday that she hopes that if the street funds are available that the council will agree to the contracts with the agencies.
“This is important for our community, particularly because there is no public transportation in Conway,” Tyler said. “There is no alternative for these children, adults with disabilities and senior citizens, too. It’s part of our community’s history to support children and adults with disabilities, and the work of FCCDD is a continuation of this concern.
“These hard-working folks with jobs can’t do their jobs if they can’t get to their jobs. I’m hoping for a good outcome on Tuesday night.”
Ward 3 alderman Jim Rhodes, the only council member who voted last year in favor of supporting the transportation programs, said, “I felt so strongly that this is something the city should be doing that I was willing to use General Revenue Funds to support this transportation effort. But I was out-voted.
“But I’m very pleased that the state was able to clarify its policy so turn-back funds may be used for this purpose.
“This small investment will have huge benefits, both by encouraging citizens with disabilities who will be able to continue to work at their jobs and by lowering the need for law enforcement to keep an eye out for kids who have no supervision or place to go after school.
“Our community has supported this in the past, and on Tuesday I’ll be pleased to continue this community support.”
In other business, the council will meet in committee at 5:30 p.m. to hear a mid-year budget overview from acting Finance Director Lowell McClanahan.
In its regular meeting the council will consider
• An agreement with Simmons Traffic Services for traffic signal design at Donaghey and Lee streets.
• Bids for the 2011 sidewalk improvement projects.
• Bids for the Prince Street Improvement project (Shady Lane to Western Avenue.)
• Right-of-way acquisitions along Old Military Road: McNutt Road at Donnell Ridge.
(Staff writer Becky Harris can be reached at becky.harris@thecabin.net and 505-1234.)
Comments (18)
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does that mean instead of building and maintaining our roads and streets...it can be used for transportation? has the boys and girls club and the FCCDD gone to private sector to ask for funding ?
the private sector stepped up
the private sector stepped up last time to assist the Senior Citizens needs for two years if they use it wisely. I bet they would do the same here. We need to wean these programs off of city support....the city needs to use it's funds for streets, sanitation and security/safety.
Why?
Why is the city in the business of giving money to charities? For that matter, why are they choosing which charities to give money to? I know several good charitable organizations in Conway that sure could use some extra $$$. Why aren't they receiving city funds? I'm sure nearly everyone who comments on here has a charity or organization that could also use the $$$. But if the city did that, there would be no money left....wait....there already isn't any money left! I know that in the spectrum of funds/revenue $20,000 isn't all that much money, and besides it's for the old people and the kids. But where does it stop?
(Go ahead and accuse me of kicking a puppy - pushing grandma off a cliff - turning kids to a life of crime - or whatever you want to. I've said what needs to be said.)
Ditto on WHY?
Why can't the Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Club, Knights of Colubus, Jaycee's, ETC. sponsor these private non-porfits
Faulkner Co Senior Citzens etc needs to set up monthy\yearly plans for businesses to support them and then they can proudly post in their window that they do. Some for the B&G club etc. Get out there and get support for yourself maybe ask LCD for some free space to post your needs and why.
Public funds should not go for this when the city is in such a money crunch!
Conway has always been good to help their own when they are aware of a worth while need!!!!!
just askin'
did the boards of these 2 agencies ask others for funding ? citizen's private donations? how about the big hitters in Conway? OR have they turned to the city council because it is easier ? just askin' might be a good question or two for becky to ask.
and let me say...when i was growing up my brother went to the Boys Club...my husband did as well...I have nothing against the organization. The FCCDD...I was a special education major w a master's degree in Learning Disabilities...I have nothing against the organization. I will have problem if the CCC takes these on when they are in Such poor shape at the moment.
No, you said what you think - there's a difference
In government there is always a debate over what services we taxpayers fund and which ones we don't. A line is drawn and we, though our elected representatives, decide which side of the line different services are placed, usually factoring in cost to the taxpayers vs. benefit to the taxpayers.
Simply because certain services are provided by charities doesn't mean that a service they are providing isn't something a governmental institution couldn't or shouldn't do. Things like providing public health clinics, schools, libraries, public transportation may all be legitimate government functions if taxpayers/voters choose to make them such. You can examine different locales and times in our nation's history and find examples of communities choosing to pay for those things and others choosing not to. I bet even today, one could find some incorporated community somewhere that doesn't offr fire protection.
One way of doing things isn't more inherently democratic than another.
Having said all that ..
... I think it is understood that merely deciding that providing a particular service is the will of the majority, doesn't eliminate the need to factor in being able to pay for it.
saw this post on Facebook!
saw this post on Facebook! What is the Mayor up to? Is this rumor or is it true? What are the priorities?
Conway Firefighters Local 4016
Call to Action: We need firefighters and firefighter supporters to attend the City Council Meeting Tuesday July 12 5:30pm at the Municipal Court Building on Parkway. Mayor Tonwsell is suppose to have a proposal which incudes firefighter furloughs, layoffs, or salary cuts.
TAX TownSELL
More scare tactics??
Mayor Tonwsell is suppose to have a proposal which incudes firefighter furloughs, layoffs, or salary cuts
Or is he gonna do the tighten UP!!!!!
Firefighters..
...Tab sat there as the Mayor, and helped lobby for a 25% increase..(Originally was 28%).. in the Parks Department budget.... yet wants to scare the Citizens with threats to the Firemen's jobs, into a Tab Townsell special... More Taxes..(well that is Special..if he (And many on the council) had their way..he would confiscate every dollar made in the city..
Hey, how about cutting where it needs to be..and quit using ther police and fire departments to scare the citizens.