“and I’m fixing to lose my job at a local plant, and the commissioners are very well aware of the industry that’s leaving this area, and they have the nerve to propose this, again! ” I am sorry about your loss if this happens, but in all honesty this does not have anything to do with the gas tax.

If your parents needed transportation, your children, yourself….whether is takes an hour or longer to commute if the cost is better for an individual it is available. If you were to lose your job, there would still be transportation available for you to look for a new one.

“I’ve seen these bus routes, been behind many of them. They do not always stop at designated bus stops. I’ve seen them stop right on Hwy. 29 or just wherever the rider wants to get on or off. They get off of the “designated” routes, to drop their friends off at their destinations, and they sit and chat at friends passing down the road walking, all the while you have to sit and wait for them to move out of the way.” You should call it in if you think that is what is happening so it could be fixed, but the buses are equipped with GPS and if they deviate from route for some reason they have to call it in. Again, this has nothing to do with the 3 cent gas tax.

“But let me ask the county and/or state this question, since when did the government start issuing gas cards to people who couldn’t afford their own gas? Didn’t know this was going on until about a month ago, when I went to Escarosa in Century. And if it’s the Federal Government funding it, then I think ECAT ought to get it’s funding from them.” Again, we use diesel and this has nothing to do with the gas tax.

I’ve seen these bus routes, been behind many of them. They do not always stop at designated bus stops. I’ve seen them stop right on Hwy. 29 or just wherever the rider wants to get on or off. They get off of the “designated” routes, to drop their friends off at their destinations, and they sit and chat at friends passing down the road walking, all the while you have to sit and wait for them to move out of the way.

But let me ask the county and/or state this question, since when did the government start issuing gas cards to people who couldn’t afford their own gas? Didn’t know this was going on until about a month ago, when I went to Escarosa in Century. And if it’s the Federal Government funding it, then I think ECAT ought to get it’s funding from them.

and what kind
and how much
and where

most go for whatever costs them personally the least and helps them the most

3 cent gas tax where everyone fills their tank or from only the county resident home owners. I choose the gas tax. I have a home here and I pay all the taxes everyone else does. The bus service does not come to my home which in my opinion is a shame. My children, which I would much prefer be on a transit bus instead of driving any car in this dangerous place and add to the danger I am sure. If I could use the bus I would as well!

Maybe if there was a 3 cent gas tax, in due time the routes could be changed to accomodate many more people. right now only the home owners and the counties decision can say where those routes go.

Guess there just arent many people that think ahead…..only about their current pocket instead of a whole.

if all who could benefit from public transportation used it, the fixed costs would not go up, the income would simply rise. without greater usage it is not economical or environmentally friendly. (an empty bus driving down the road is not reducing pollution or energy usage of the people who do not ride it.

some of the people using the bus did not move to Century, they were born there and chose to stay. others stayed or returned but do not use it for inconvenience of hours.

it’s an imperfect world, but I like it

I love the lady in the article that says “it saves her so much money”. All she needed to add was “while someone else picks up the bill.”

Health care, food stamps, schooling, housing, welfare, day care, transportation……. Is there any end in sight with you people. Next you’ll be asking us to inhale and exhale for you because those are about the only things you do for yourself.

Come on, give in and vote yes because it is the right thing to do for all of Escambia County residents.

To Caraway Bandit…”Get a job closer to home”…you have got to be kidding. My life dream is not to work at a convenience store (nothing against their workers, years ago I did it as a second job).

To Bob….”If it can’t support itself shut it down”. Another ARE YOU KIDDING ME! Our government is not supporting itself and is in debt trillions of dollars. Do you suggest we shut it down? Hope no one is on Social Security?

Brenda…I totally agree. People now days are too closed minded and can’t seem to look at the big picture. No matter how you try to explain it they don’t understand the domino effect.

Karen……another smart woman! What do these comments show you about intelligence? Women are far smarter than men? Seems so to me. At least we look at ALL aspects and are trying for the betterment of not only our county but our earth.

I guess Ken has made the decision to be intellectually dishonest to make his case which should tell the rest of us the validity of his arguement.

In reality – The issue isn’t a matter of a few dollars one way or the other. One issue is that government is notorious as seeing the only solution to a problem as being raise taxes. How many times do you see a bus that is virtually empty? About 90%. That tells me you have too many stops, too many buses, too many routes and/or too frequent pick-ups. The inefficiency I imagine is enough for even you to see – well, maybe not.

The other issue is self reliance, responsibility and personal accountability. I assume these people had a reasonable idea as to their location when they decided to live in Century. I assume they had an idea of where everything else was that they were going to need access to. I also assume each of them has a cell phone. Each has cable. Each has internet connectivity. X number of DVD players, flat screen TV’s, $150 Nike’s, etc, etc, etc. When I see less of those wants – I will be more inclined to assist them with their needs.

You can use the “it’s only a few tax dollars” to justify every government waste and we already have way more than we need of government spending and waste.