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| Volume 18, Issue 4 | Fall 2006 |
From the President Brenda Schweitzer, DirectorBrookings Area Transit Authority Greetings— This is a lesson for all of us; see what happens when you miss a meeting?! You could be writing this column! In all honesty, I'm honored to be elected as your DTA President. Over the past 22 years, there have been many big shoes to fill, and I will do the best job possible. However, it is not an office or a board member, but the membership as a whole that completes DTA. As I thought of the President's position, it is just that...a title. It takes the entire membership to accomplish our mission and our vision. For a reminder, Our Mission Statement reads: Dakota Transit Association is a coalition of public agencies and private organizations that promote and support public and special passenger transportation programs within North and South Dakota. Our Vision Statement reads: Dakota Transit Association will exist for the purpose of unified leadership in an ever changing transportation environment. I feel we have continued to support and uphold these original statements in a very positive way. With our annual conference just behind us, we can be reminded of these missions in our conference agenda. Through the support and knowledge provided us by our Region VIII representative, Jennifer Stewart, CTAA President Dale Marsico, as well as the entire CTAA Board, and the 'local' knowledge of Julie Bommelman, Rich Sagen and Shelley Pfaff, we are keeping public transportation a vital part of our communities. We are all working on one basic mission, each having a very important job in understanding, finding the resources and keeping public transportation alive in our states, region, and nation. Thank you to all involved in the success of our annual Roadeo, Vendor Show and conference. The DTA Board appreciates the assistance of Barb Cline, and her Prairie Hills Transit staff in making this year's convention the largest ever. While it takes all of us to make such a production work, it was thanks to the leadership of Barb and her staff that DTA had the 2006 convention that it did. Another special thank you to the Vendors and CTAA Board for enhancing our Roadeo and Convention! Please remember the vendors that help support our efforts, and see if they can help you with your vehicle and service needs. A reminder, the DTA Mugs that were given at registration had our DTA website engraved on them. Please use our site for training, convention registration and information, newsletter archives, etc. ALSO, gathering newsletter information is a very labor-intensive job. This is OUR newsletter, and we want to hear your stories. Perhaps it's a fundraising success, a human interest story, personnel changes, successes, or even a classified ad! Please contribute via e-mail to gary.hegland@ndsu.edu. We've received many compliments on our newsletter; please help in its continued success! Plans are underway for the Mid-Year Conference to be held at Cedar Shore Resort in Chamberlain, March 26-27. Please mark your calendars now for two full days of transit! We will be concentrating on our association meeting, state breakouts, round table discussion, strategic planning and charter regulations. Deadline for registration will be Feb. 23, 2007. This agenda has been put together as a result of the project requests. With the legislative sessions just ahead, we should all stay informed on transportation-related issues. Stay in touch with your local representatives, and our state lobbyists. South Dakota has Steve Willard working with us, and North Dakota has Tom Tupa. These individuals have proven their value immensely. Funding struggles continue to be a real issue, and we all need to be proactive in finding workable solutions. The passion and commitment for public transportation is very alive in DTA. I am very proud to be a part of such an organization. CTAA Overview SessionSeeing all the familiar faces from CTAA was great. For Dale Marsico, Charles Dickson, Scott Bogren, and Kelly Shawn to take the time to attend our Annual Conference was an acknowledgement of their concerns of what is happening to rural transportation in our states. It is encouraging to hear their support for transit and Medicaid issues. It is important to hold these meetings for networking purposes and for transit operators to get a clearer understanding of many transit issues.
Our annual conference is a perfect time to discuss national issues:
State regulations for rural communities should be as simple as possible with more control given by the state to individual projects to assist in meeting the demands of rural transit throughout the country. Local transit agencies can keep informed about the ongoing changes from the federal government by visiting the CTAA website. CTAA has been a strong voice in Washington, D.C. and our continued support by voicing our concerns will only help our cause in providing better transit systems for our rural population.
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In this issue...
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Dale's opening statements focused on SAFTEA-LU, which was signed in 2005, and the many changes or interpretations of the bill that are in process in 2006. Reauthorization of Rural Transportation legislation is based on much of what has been learned from the Dakotas. Increased funding reflects on the importance throughout the region for rural transportation, and raising costs requires a continual need for coordination and cooperation between all of the projects.