By: PhilHarper on 11/4/09
Recently a Rover bus was stopped in a driving lane in front of Hardee's on MT Blvd. (near Mercury intersection)while the driver went in to make a purchase. Former Mayor Reeves told me that the council could never cost justify a local bus system, so how is justified now? Phil Harper, 890-0904

By: postfan on 11/4/09
I would be interested in knowing how much revenue Rovers bring to the City compared to the cost of it's operation. Charging $1 to ride and seldom are there more than 3 or 4 people on one at the same time. The city has cut budgets and won't give raises. Seems to me that this "service" is costing the city by the time you consider maintenance, fuel, salaries, ect. CUT THE ROVERS!!!!

By: greaterhands on 11/5/09
Phil Harper is exactly right. We can not afford Rover. It is for a few and us taxpayers are footing the bill. Equipment, salaries, fuel, maintenance, insurance are killing us taxpayers. Rover is a waste of money and should be stopped immediately.

By: vdanr on 11/5/09
You all are being very selfish in your thinking. I believe those that use the Rover bus system find it helpful. Plus, from what I understand, this system is run on a grant that the city received. No type of system is going to be perfect and probably won't bring in a lot of revenue, but think about the people who actually benefit from this. I think the screening process for the drivers should be better rather than just cutting out the whole bus system. It REALLY is needed!!!!!!

By: Macgyver on 11/5/09
vdanr, answer me this. Were the tennis courts, stop light cameras, greenway extension and chamber of commerce project all needed in this economic downturn? This city has a real problem understanding what a necessity is and what isn't. Granted the bus service is a nice thing for those that need it, but why should I or my family foot the bill. Almost everyone I know has had to cut back in some form or another, why has the city not?

By: vdanr on 11/5/09
I do see the Rover as a necessity. I DO NOT see the tennis courts, stop light cameras, and greenway extension as necessities. I also think the city has to make choices or what we do or do not need. I don't agree with everything the city leaders do, however, I do agree with this. Just like you, I foot the bill for this as well as other things, however, if I feel something is not needed I will let the city leaders know and not a newspaper forum. My point is this, we can't cut out everything just because the economy is a wreck!!

By: JJay on 11/5/09
You'll still be footing the bill for when people have to go on unemployment because they can't get to their jobs because the city decided to shut down the Rovers. The ignorant and selfish comments posted here are disgusting. Not everyone can afford to have a car. "Nice thing for those that need it"... Nice? You think being able to have transportation to go to work, go to the hospital, or go to the VA is a "nice thing", as if it was on the same level as getting your nails done? Maybe we should tell all those veterans that while we appreciate what they did for the service of our country, we just think it's too much trouble for us to provide them with transportation to the VA. God bless America! Since when did providing a public service for the greater good become such a horrible burden? But I guess any service where the poor and unfortunate benefit is not worth squat.

I also want to point out that there are many disabled and senior citizens who use the Rover bus service (one of them a blind man). Hey, I wonder how much the city profits from providing ramps and wider doorways for those in wheelchairs... maybe we should cut those out, too... it'd save ALOT of tax money. :)

By: PhilHarper on 11/5/09
So if I think my tax money is being spent unwisely on Rover,etc., I am "selfish" and "ignorant" for saying so. Isn't Al Gore's internet wonderful? It furnishes a cloak of anonymity to so many, but my name is: Phil Harper, 890-0904

By: greaterhands on 11/5/09
You are still 100% right. The losers are the ones that still want to keep Rover going. I would like to see how much taxes they are paying. I bet between 0 and nothing. They sit back and wait for us to pay our share and theirs too. We have a right to our opinion after all we are paying taxes for us and them. I stick by mine and your statements or has Gore and Obama stopped that.

By: Macgyver on 11/5/09
JJ, I hate to burst your bubble, but to own a car is not a right it is a privilege. Maybe I've misread the Constitution and Bill of Rights. So yes the "rover is nice for those who need it". If the VA was run as it should be, they would be providing transportation.

By: vdanr on 11/6/09
I guess the wonderful thing about forums like this is that everyone has a right to their opinion. I don't think anyone is "selfish" nor "ignorant" for citing their opinion. Oh FYI to Phil,there a too many crazies out there who can obtain your personal information if they have your phone number. I have nothing to hide, but I choose not to disclose my information like that.

By: PhilHarper on 11/6/09
vdanr--whoever you are: You still have the right to your opinion but I expect your real problem is that you want a "right" to others' earnings via the government, in this case so that you get taxpayer subsidized transportation. Phil Harper, 890-0904

By: vdanr on 11/9/09
Think what you will Phil Harper... I do not need nor do I want a (as you put it) "right" to others' earnings via the government. I do not need taxpayer subsidized transportation. Unlike you, I don't mind helping others when I see a need. I fully understand that when I give, it will be given to me, good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over... Luke 6:38 in case you need a reference as I believe you probably do!!

By: Boo on 11/12/09
vdanr- Wonderful reference! I've found it to be true time and time again.

By: jayboitn on 11/13/09
What happened was really bad BUT the Rover provides a very necessary service. Around 700 people a day use the system and it allows low income people (who are humans too) to go to stores, work, doctors, library etc. And it helps people who've maybe recently lost their car or it broke down, letting them still keep up with life. The money brought in from fares isn't the only economic impact, think of all the people who use it to spend money, in our local economy, doctors and stores, keeping employment. I use the Rover a lot actually and spend an additional $500 a month I otherwise wouldn't. Even if only 400 people spend $10/day that works out to $1,040,000/yr into our local economy!

Get rid of bad drivers, not good riders who depend on this system by shutting it down.

By: vdanr on 11/14/09
Thanks for giving your input jayboitn. I agree with you 100%.