[Nfbmt] [NFB] A Crisis of Public Transportation in Montana... and its real impact on NFB of Montana's upcoming state convention

[d m gina]

I was asking Jim if he would want to contact Ed Heron.
I don't have the correct spelling, just a thought.
Ed is working with seven day Adventist.
Just some thoughts.

Original message:
> Hey Rik and all, the state convention in Billings is October 25-26 and 
> probably the morning of the 27th.  I don't know yet what is going to 
> happen Friday the 25th that might mean some of us will need to get 
> there Thursday the 24th.  Depends on the transportation options, I 
> guess, assuming there are any.  LOL I think it would be cool if we 
> could somehow hire or rent a van or a small bus.

> I think in all the mess about the bus schedules that the one going 
> through Bozeman to Billings will still be running.  It's the 
> connections from Great Falls and maybe Helena and Missoula that are in 
> jeopardy.

> Joy

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Nfbmt [mailto:nfbmt-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Rik James
> Sent: Tuesday, August 20, 2013 2:21 PM
> To: NFB of Montana Discussion List
> Subject: [Nfbmt] A Crisis of Public Transportation in Montana... and 
> its real impact on NFB of Montana's upcoming state convention


> First, this stunning revelation as brought to our attention. Thanks, 
> Joy, and others.
> Montana and North Dakota Intercity Bus Status

> http://mtndintercity.wordpress.com/

> Dear NFB of Montana members and officers.

> I have just now been reading the posts on the discussion list about the 
> loss of bus transportation between our cities here in Montana.

> I feel that this is quite a crisis. Of course it is for some, more of a 
> crisis than for others. But if even one of those wishing to attend the 
> state convention, or for any other type of travel needs, this issue 
> will hardly be noticed, by anyone other than those who are affected, 
> unless it gets more in the press.  And the way it gets in the press if 
> its impact can be demonstrated in real terms.  I have the opinion that 
> more and more of these type of circumstances are very likely to occur, 
> leaving many without means to be at an ever worse disadvantage.

> So, then, what?
> What is it that we can do besides try and change things by complaining? 
> Probably not too much. But it is likely that the complaining probably 
> will not help much either. And that is because, frankly, we as blind 
> folks in Montana do not really travel as much as we even used to.  I 
> think. I don't know, but I would wonder if this is not true.

> And whatever our needs, or in any case, we are not large enough of a 
> population to really be much of a dollar amount, as part of the great 
> loss in revenue that the bus services have been experiencing.  Still, I 
> would not wonder if more Montanans are made aware by some news 
> coverage, perhaps some members of the public might identify it as an 
> issue and something could happen to improve on the situation. Kind of 
> unlikely, but hey, if it is in the news, it can at least have more of 
> the benefit of attention.

> So, my thoughts are these.
> The biggest situation for us is our immediate  needs for members around 
> Montana to get to the city of Billings for the September state convention.
> What is the weekend date again?
> I am plum sorry, but I can�t find it. Is it September 20?
> Anyway. We need to figure out how big of a number of persons that is, 
> and where they each are. And then try and figure out how or what we 
> might be able to do to help out.

> And IF we are going to do something, then we need to get a plan 
> together pretty soon.

> The information needed:
> First, who wants to come and needs a ride?
> If we get this list together, then can we clump these folks in and get 
> folks to pool resources together, and schedule some, maybe like 3 
> routes, of transportation? Perhaps by renting vehicles and hiring drivers?

> Member list.
> Phone tree.
> List of possible convention travellers.
> Estimates of costs, decision of an adopted plan, and then its implementation.

> That is my wee flurry of thoughts. The big picture guy. The laying 
> sideways under the apple tree dreamer, and your friend, Rik.
> But I very well may be sideways not knowing one end of the tree branch 
> from the very core of the apple. So do some talking, and put on your 
> thinking caps, everyone. Let's get us all to Billings, by hook and by 
> cup of sweet cider.
> _______________________________________________
> Nfbmt mailing list
> Nfbmt at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfbmt_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for Nfbmt:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfbmt_nfbnet.org/bjb5757%40bresnan.net


> _______________________________________________
> Nfbmt mailing list
> Nfbmt at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfbmt_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for Nfbmt:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfbmt_nfbnet.org/dmgina%40samobile.net

-- 
--Dar
skype: dmgina23
  FB: dmgina
www.twitter.com/dmgina
every saint has a past
every sinner has a future