If Rescue Muni is wondering why more people do not want to become members
this just might be why. If this is true about the Steering Committee, I
wonder where their heads are.
I have questioned in some of the meetings I have attended the
appropriateness of such a complex organizational structure for such a small
organization. It seems to me the most appropriate way for an organization
to grow is to evolve over time a structure which best fits the
organization. Right now I am an advocate for an anarchistic structure
(basically none). After all, this is not the Sierra Club and needs to be a
vital grass roots organization if it is to attract to support of riders.
Frankly, I see riders turned off by the petty power structure of Rescue
Muni.
Richard
----------
>
> From: Marc Norton <nortonsf@ix.netcom.com>
> Subject: Rescue Muni supports fare increase?
>
> Members and supporters of Rescue Muni should know that the
> Rescue Muni Steering Committee voted AGAINST the following
> policy statement at its January 12 meeting:
>
> "The policy of Rescue Muni is no increase in fares
> at this time."
>
> The vote was 3 in favor, 4 against.
>
> Rescue Muni co-founder George Musser was recently quoted in the
> press saying that he would lie down on the tracks if Muni tried
> to push through a fare increase at this time. Unfortunately,
> George wasn't at the January 12 Steering Committee meeting.
>
> One would think that opposing unnecessary and unwarranted fare
> increases would be a no-brainer for an organization whose
> justification for existence is the of support public transportation.
> But not so. Apparently keeping public transportation affordable
> for the thousands of San Franciscans who have no choice but to
> depend on Muni isn't an issue for certain members of the Steering
> Committee.
>
> (At this same meeting, the Steering Committee REJECTED, by a vote
> of 0 to 4, any support for making the downtown crowd pay its fare
> share for Muni through the establishment of a downtown transit
> assessment district.)
>
> Clean out the riders pockets, and let downtown off scot-free...
> Is this really what Rescue Muni has become?
>
> Actually, both of these policy decisions by the Steering Committee
> are completely contrary to the positions advocated by the
> Governance Committee, which spent the last two months discussing
> and debating Muni funding issues. More importantly, it is highly
> doubtful that many rank-and-file Rescue Muni members and
> supporters would find fare increases acceptable at this time.
>
> I think that the discussion of fare increases and Muni funding
> should be broadened to include the general membership of
> Rescue Muni, which is (or at least should be) the real
> policy-making body of Rescue Muni. To this end, I have
> suggested to the Steering Committee that some time be set aside
> at the next general membership meeting for a discussion about
> fare increases and Muni funding.
>
> I also propose that the next general membership meeting adopt the
> following resolution:
>
> "It is the policy of Rescue Muni to oppose any fare increases
> at this time."
>
I agree
>
> -Marc Norton
>