WARREN Nearly all of he bus service to Trumbull County provided by the Western Reserve Transit Authority will come to an end Sept. 8, because an approximate
rfox@tribtoday.com
WARREN Two county commissioners said they still need some answers before they can make a decision about joining WRTA.
Commissioners Mauro Cantalamessa and Frank Fuda said one of their biggest sticking points is it appears voters in both Trumbull and Mahoning counties will have to vote on a 0.25 percent sales tax increase in Trumbull County to fund the Western Reserve Transit Authority’s activities in the county.
They said they want some type of assurance that if the tax passes because the Mahoning County voters approve it, even though Trumbull County voters turn it down, the county won’t be forced to continue with joining.
Trumbull County Transit Board members last week publicly railed against Trumbull County commissioners, questioning a “lack of direction” and purpose for the board to which commissioners appointed them.
Three members of the board have now resigned including chairman Duane Hennen, who delivered his resignation last week, stating, “There is nothing for us to do.”
One board seat has remained open for quite some time. Hennen’s resignation and the previous week’s resignation of member Marlene Rhodes has brought the vacancies to three.
Rhodes stated in her resignation letter she saw “no further use for the Trumbull Transit Board” since accomplishing the goal of paying off the board’s debt to its former contractor, Community Bus Services. The board owed millions to the bus company for contracts in 2018 and 2019, but paid off the last of the debt in December.
rfox@tribtoday.com
WARREN The Western Reserve Transit Authority today is expected to consider a recommendation to fund a transportation program in Trumbull County administered through the county commissioners and transit administrator.
WRTA put out a request for proposals for services to continue the program county commissioners now run. The proposal would take $54,000 in matching dollars from a local source, and would use $54,000 in federal funding through the Federal Transportation Administration, Trumbull County transit administrator Mike Salamone said. The grant is for general public transit.
A WRTA subcommittee reviewed the proposal and is recommending the full WRTA board accept it. If WRTA does so, Trumbull County commissioners next week are expected to approve the project. The project is being processed jointly between WRTA and the county because WRTA took over the administration of the federal program that typically provided the funds in the past. Salamone said the WRTA
rfox@tribtoday.com
WARREN Trumbull County Transit Board members railed against Trumbull County commissioners at their monthly meeting, questioning a “lack of direction” and purpose for the board to which commissioners appointed them.
In addition, the board chairman resigned, citing the commissioners’ unwillingness to fully staff the board and provide leadership, Duane Hennen said at Thursday’s meeting.
Hennen announced his resignation at the beginning of the meeting and stated it was effective immediately, but proceeded to lead the meeting “to finish out his obligations.” Some members asked Hennen to remain on the board, but he said there was no reason to do so.