Last night there was a candidate forum at the library, put on by the Washington County Minority Coalition. It was my first forum as I was unable to attend a prior meet the candidate night. I really enjoyed myself and was also able to see a few issues the current and next city council will face. St. George is not a very diverse place but I believe that overwhelming majority of people in the area are welcoming and accepting of diversity.
Like I said, I learned a lot and was able to meet all of the candidates. Did you know that there is no bus service in St. George on Sunday? I didn't, I think that it's crazy that a city the size of St. George does not have a full week of public transportation. Many people and student rely on public transportation to get to jobs, school, and to do their errands on a daily basis. Apparrently those who utilize and need public transport are either stuck at home on Sunday or relegated to walking in the 100*+ heat. A few of the candidates and current council members said that there wasn't enough money in the budget to allow for a Sunday bus schedule. Tell me exactly where we found the money for a $300,000 carousel but can't get a few buses to run at least a half schedule on Sunday? I don't get it. This is the kind of thinking that I feel needs to be examained in a city. I feel that we ignore the little guy in St. George and cater to those who's economic status is above a certain level.
I still believe in St. George and think it's a great place to live. But we can do better. It's my hope that I can help out in that aspect and help the council see that everybody deserves a voice and benefits from the city they call home.
I completely agree with the logic behind your complaint- My wife and I are very familiar with being crippled by a lack of transportation, as we, until this last year, were a one car family. This doesn't sit well with those who are forced to work in low-paying jobs across town, with no way to make the journey on those mandatory Sunday shifts!
ReplyDelete