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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#467886" vlink="#96607D" style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>Greetings,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The letter below was written by Judy Dixon, one of our chapter members. It was published in the Denver Post and Boulder Camera. This is another great way to ensure that our voices are heard.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>October 18, 2024<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Letter To the Editor:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The passage of Ballot Issue 7A could provide an opportunity to enhance, rather than diminish services which, for many of us, is critical to living quality lives. However, this will only happen with better management and more accountability on the part of RTD and its Board of Directors.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I have lived in Boulder for over fifty years. I am blind and relied on RTD’s bus service until 2020. When we purchased our home thirty-five years ago, we made sure that there was a bus route for me to use. This route was discontinued four years ago. RTD acknowledges no responsibility, when discontinuing routes, for the hardship they place on people who rely on public transportation because they are unable to drive.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>RTD’s on-demand service enables me to continue to live an active life. On-demand is far superior to RTD’s Paratransit service, which works when you call days ahead and can get on their schedule, which is often unreliable. Many of us with disabilities have busy lives, working, volunteering, and giving back to our community, and we rely on the on-demand service, particularly where bus service is not available.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>RTD is making an aggressive effort to significantly reduce their on- demand service, while telling voters, in the ballot language of Measure 7A, that the funding is needed for “MAINTAINING THE AVAILABILITY OF SERVICES FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES.” In fact, RTD is attempting to reduce the services for people with disabilities, not maintain them. The general public should be made aware of RTD’s efforts to severely cut these services while asking for more funds to maintain them. RTD’s Board of Directors know this. Citing transportation needs of people with disabilities is clearly considered to be a useful strategy for getting this measure passed, but this misinformation and these half-truths are reprehensible.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>RTD is citing budget issues. What about the exorbitant cost of several staff working to reduce this service. It is inconsistent with RTD’s goals of being good stewards of tax payer dollars. Tax payers are also funding enormous salaries for top management, the same management that has mismanaged RTD for years. RTD has retained millions in TABOR rebates for over twenty-four years and desires to continue to do so.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>RTD is the biggest tax collector in Colorado and this proposal is a blank check. Voters and users of RTD deserve better management, more reliable service, and more accountability for how RTD spends its money. Supporting this measure is important so more revenue is available to improve services including the continuation of on-demand services for people with disabilities.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Judy Dixon, Boulder<o:p></o:p></p></div></body></html>