Metro Mobility Mismanagement Continues

The incompetent cretins running Metro Mobility who brought us A.T.E., vans without adequate heat and more recently a semiworthless computer system (less efficiency, more denials) have outdone themselves with their new asinine policy requiring passenger photos on Metro ID cards.

It seems a few scofflaws have been loaning their cards to friends and family members so they can ride MTC buses at discounted fares. To combat this scourge costing taxpayers hundreds of dollars a year, the administrators at Metro Mobility have decided to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars and waste the free time of some 35,000 riders.

This is mind-boggling stupid even for a bureaucracy with a track record of bungled decisions. Given that Metro Mobility is appallingly underfunded and the trip denial rate is at an all-time high, why add 35,000 non-essential rides to the system? How many people will be denied trips to their jobs or to doctors appointments because drivers are busy transporting people to get their pictures taken? Why waste the free time of 35,000 people when most MTC drivers don’t check IDs anyway?

Silence implies consent, so this ridiculous waste of time and money will continue unless enough people complain.

Bruce S. Bolton,

Handicabs driver

 

Marshmallow Skies

What I would like to see in a religion/spirituality column is nothing. No kidding! As a devoted atheist, I find it liberating to be without god beliefs. It is wonderful to live without guilt and fear, without myths of heaven and hell, etc.

However, I think such a column would spark some thought probing ideas for people with disabilities, especially in the “why me” category.

I didn’t realize it before, but I find Access Press refreshing because it does not have religious claptrap. It is no-nonsense, practical and tackles the hard issues. It does not float in the marshmallow skies of “faith,” which to mean means lies, superstitions and false hopes.

P.S.: I hope you include atheist and humanist views as well.

Naomi Lifejov

 

Crisis or Commitment?

As a parent of an adult son with a serious and persistent mental illness, I strongly support the Groiling/Betzold proposed bill SF#2634. This controversial issue has polarized many in mental health advocacy, Consumer groups have spoken loudly and firmly against the bill. Family members speak for consumers, also, but they usually speak for the consumers who cannot speak for themselves because of their illnesses or decompensation,

The stigma of mental illness and the confusion generated by thought disorders prevent some persons with biobrain diseases from recognizing and accepting their condition. Lack of insight about one’s illness brings denial and resistance to seeking help, usually when the help is most needed.

I believe that the opposing groups have the best intentions, but view the issue through a narrow lens focused on consumer rights rather than on the bigger picture of consumer care. Sometimes it becomes necessary for family members to access consumer care for their loved family member over that person’s objections.

Those who have been through the pain of the commitment process know that “objections” is too weak a word to use. The process is a struggle and a battle spread over time. Time in which persons are usually held against their will, in anger, frustration., and pain are rampant, Those who do not receive early intervention often decompensate into crisis. Crisis can result in tragedy. Crisis is too late.

The Greiting/Betzold bill seeks to make the commitment process kinder and gentler for consumers and family members. I urge thoughtful and caring people who support a more humane process to find out more about this legislation and call your legislators. Let them know you support this bill, SF#2634 (Senate) and HF#3107 (House of Representatives),

Carol Cochran