POUGHKEEPSIE – Despite
a strong warning from the Federal Transit Administration that the city
must transfer its buses to the Dutchess County or risk significant financial
repercussions, the common council fell one vote short of doing so.
The ‘no’ votes Monday night came from Ann Perry and Randall
Johnson. With two council members, Christopher Petsas, a staunch opponent
of transfer and Lorraine Johnson absent, the vote was 4 to 2. Five votes
were needed.
Despite most of the recent public comment at council meetings arguing
for transfer, to get the buses back on the road, Democrat Perry said she
is listening to people on the street.
“They still call me, I still meet them in the street and they tell
me that the buses are not suiting their needs the way they are set up
right now and that is what I am defending; those people,” Perry
said.
Other council members, including Chairwoman Natasha Cherry, were equally
adamant on the imperative to move forward with the transfer.
“Now by moving on doesn’t mean we forget about ll those bus
riders,” Cherry said. “Moving on meant picking my battles
and now my battle is working with the county to expand service in the
areas that need it.”
That won’t happen because of Monday night’s action. The buses
will remain parked.
The FTA set a 30-day deadline for the city to make the transfer. The next
council meeting, in two weeks, will be within that timeframe. However,
the only way Monday night’s resolution can be brought back would
be by either of the two who voted against it – Perry or Johnson.
