Transit Authority plans hearing to discuss grant application

The interim director of the Cape Girardeau County Transit Authority wants people who have concerns, questions or comments about bus and taxi service to have a voice, but also wants to know if anyone has comments directly about the authority's request for transportation grants for the coming year.

Today is the deadline for people to tell the authority that they want to come before the board during a public hearing Tuesday to comment on plans for grant funding for new computers, software, a bus and a van and a request for money to purchase land for a dedicated transit facility.

The hearing is set for 10 a.m. Tuesday at the transit authority office at 935 Broadway in Cape Girardeau, but the authority's board of directors will cancel it if there is no one who wants to talk about the grant application.

"This is strictly about the application of the money for the grant," Mogelnicki said. "I don't mind discussing" other issues "with them, but that won't require my board to be there."

There had been no response to a legal notice published on April 6 and May 1 about the $1.7 million in grant funds being sought.

But following a report in Thursday's Southeast Missourian, Mogelnicki said the authority received five calls from people who wanted to discuss other issues.

To make sure the board is on hand for the meeting, anyone wishing to speak should "specify they want to talk about the grant money," Mogelnicki said. "If they want to talk about the transit system in general, I will be happy to meet with them."

The transit authority offices can be reached at 335-5533.

rkeller@semissourian.com

335-6611 extension 126