Lawrence.com

Susan Tabor, social worker, T talker, digs peace, justice, reading, writing, music and the culinary arts

You guys are strong advocates of public transportation here in Lawrence. Why not put the T out of its misery? Isn't it cruel not to euthanize this lame and limping beast? Ask yourself-what would Jesus do with a shotgun and Old Yeller behind the shed?

"I grew up in a city over twice the size of Lawrence and it had a lousy public transit system. My friends and I would have had many more options for recreation if we had been able to hop on a bus and get there. I appreciate reducing my carbon footprint and the T affords me the opportunity to do that. Since blind people are not yet issued driver's licenses, the T affords me a cost-effective option for getting places independently without being overly burdensome to friends. Cost-effective and independence are key here. I have often thought, on cold, wintry days, that even if I could drive, I wouldn't want to and would opt for public transportation. I've known people in my adult life who opt for public transit to get them to and from work each day because it's energy-efficient and saves them money and saves wear and tear on their vehicle. I wouldn't have to use the T-I could take a cab or carpool with co-workers. My experience with carpooling, however, is that many people regrettably do not practice it-they're busy with their lives and won't or can't interrupt their general routine to carpool in the name of pooling resources."

Oh, you're visually impaired? Hoo boy-this is awkward. Uhhh-okay, besides blind people, who really needs the T? I mean, everyone has a car these days, right? Mandatory car ownership is in the freakin' constitution! Why in the wide world of the free market does the community need the T?

"I am so glad you asked this question! First of all, I choose to use the T-I wouldn't absolutely have to. Others who take the T to and from work each day choose to use the T. People use it on days when their car is in the shop, when the weather is crummy, when they want to pool resources to reduce their carbon footprint. Kids use it so they can get places after school because they can't drive yet and seniors need it because their vision is failing them and they can't drive. Some kids use it to get to and from school because other transportation options are unworkable or unsatisfactory and some people use it because they feel using it is a way to build community. Others use it because it's plain cost-effective. Businesses like it because they recognize that it is a viable resource to get workers to and from work and to get consumers to and from their businesses and the fact that public transportation exists in Lawrence is a factor that attracts businesses to locate here. The argument that the only people who use the T are those that have no choice is shallow and naÃive."

City Hall says there isn't enough money for funding a bus line. They came to that conclusion in a closed door meeting while dining with businesses and developers whom will be receiving massive tax breaks, so I have no reason to doubt them. Why do you hate democracy?

"I think some people didn't do their homework. The same lack of vision-pardon the pun-exhibited by people who feel that the only people who use the T are those who have to was reflected by our city commission in their abuse/misuse of funds that had been earmarked for the T. And on my cynical days, I also feel that the same classism and elitism that afflicts much of our society was also reflected in the actions of our city commission that put the T in this position. Many who use the T are on limited incomes. So maybe if the T is gone, that segment of the population can be moved further out of sight and out of mind. They may have received some poor advice, too, because if the T dies then the city loses the state funds to go with having the T. Its disappearance would mean no more busses, no more paratransit, no more Park and Ride, and KU on Wheels would be severely compromised because a source that would be helping it have potential to grow would be lost for good. If we lose public transit now, getting it back later would be harder. Our T has the 2nd-highest amount of ridership in the Midwest of cities comparable to the size of Lawrence. It's won 2 awards given by national transit organizations. We've come this far and it seems foolhardy to let this system die. As anything does, sure it needs fixing. But we can't fix it if it's no longer around to fix."

Any advice for people, as socialist and practically Islamo-fascist as it may be, for those who want to preserve public transportation in Lawrence?

"Sure-people can join the Campaign to Save the T at: www.savethet.org

If people would like to donate money to the Campaign to Save the T, they may do so by mailing donations to: Campaign to Save the T, P.O. Box 1131, Lawrence, Ks. 66044 Checks should be made out to the Campaign to Save the T.

People will want to know that both Question 2 and Question 3 on the ballot must be adopted. Voting 'Yes' on both is crucial-one can't exist without the other. Together, the cost is only 25 cents on every $100 spent in the community. I think it's also important for people to remember that the T is truly for everyone! That's something else I think our city commission forgot. Its existence means that all will have ways to get to work, to school, to medically necessary and indeed even lifesaving medical appointments, to shopping and to leisure and civic activities. Its existence means our community will thrive and grow, not decline and stagnate."