Senior Van ‘Dead’ Issue with Council

Private group raising funds, county revisits its service

By Margo Frink

(Oneida – Feb. 2, 2010) Despite Mayor Leo Matzke’s support of city taxpayers funding the senior van, the Oneida Common Council said it did not want the city to take on the burden. Only Councilman Donald Moore said he would like the city to fund the van because Oneida Towers’ residents live in his ward and they want the service.

New issues had come to light, one being a local citizens group, spearheaded by business owner Don Kingsley. Kingsley began a campaign to raise money for the van service and opened an account at a local credit union. According to Kingsley, the donations are pouring in.

Recreation Director Brandon Lovett and Matzke visited with a private group of citizens in Minoa who had started a senior van service.

“Because it’s private, they’re eligible for funding,” Lovett said. However, he said it was advisable to operate the service under one provider and that provider is Madison County.

But there are issues with the county’s Dial-A-Ride service for residents that previously used the city’s service. For one, the county’s service requires a three-day notice for pick-up, where the city only required 24 hours. The county’s service is limited to Madison County. The city’s van would take resident’s into the Vernon, Verona and Sherrill areas of Oneida County. The county service costs a little bit more, and only operates from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m.

City supervisor Scott Henderson told the council that county planner Scott Ingmire has revisited the Dial-A-Ride service and wants to “make it better.” He’s working on a coordinated transit plan, Henderson said.

City supervisor John Reinhardt said the plan is do-able for this year.

“Its full steam ahead,” Reinhardt said.

“It behooves us to continue with the city service,” Matzke said. “The city’s provided the service for a long time.”

Kingsley said the city was “stupid” if it didn’t look into the county program but the schedule for pick-up for residents is “crazy” and he didn’t feel the city should coordinate with the county.

“I feel we can raise enough money to buy a van,” Kingsley said.

Brian Zogby, who owns property in the city, said he was not in favor of the city sponsoring this service for anybody.

“A van service foundation is the way to go,” Zogby said. Zogby went on to name the businesses and locations the senior van traveled to take residents and said he was sure they would want to donate to the cause.

“Privacy is the solution,” Zogby said.

On the other hand, residents of the Towers said they need the van service.

“We do need the van,” one woman said who was never identified. “I never learned to drive.”

And Towers resident Susan Goldin, who submitted a signed petition, said the service is not about politics, it’s about people.

“Get it out of the hands of politicians,” Goldin said.

Councilman A. Max Smith said the decision to not fund the van had already been made. Smith said he felt compassion for those who use the service but turning the service over to a private entity was the way to go. He even offered to donate money to the cause.

“If you privatize it, I feel the city [residents] will be overwhelming with support,” Smith said.

Margo Frink is managing editor of M3P Media LLC. She can be reached at Margo@m3pmedia.com or 315-363-4254 or 315-481-8732.

One Comment on "Senior Van ‘Dead’ Issue with Council"

Charles Page on Mon, 8th Feb 2010 8:20 am

If “private” is the way it is going, let us all really get behind it, and make it happen as soon as possible.

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Senior Van ‘Dead’ Issue with Council

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