Transit agency holding public meeting on levy

‘Information Nights’ to be held at Lake County libraries beginning Sept. 19

‘Information Nights’ on the levy will be held at Lake County libraries beginning Sept. 19.

Laketran is inviting residents to learn more about its forthcoming levy during a series of public meetings to be held at 10 Lake County libraries over the next several weeks.

According to the agency, the 0.25 percent sales tax levy will allow Laketran to improve service to job corridors and meet the growing demand for accessible transportation for Lake County seniors, people with disabilities, and veterans.

Laketran has reported an 18 percent increase in Dial-a-Ride ridership over the past four years as the primary reason for the levy and the need to support local businesses by getting employees to jobs along manufacturing corridors.

Dial-a-Ride is Laketran’s door-to-door, assisted transportation shared-ride service. Transportation services are provided throughout Lake County and to limited medical facilities in Cleveland.

“As stewards of the taxpayers’ dollars, we want Lake County voters to feel informed about how Laketran operates and uses local sales tax funds,” said Laketran CEO Ben Capelle. “We want to be transparent and available to answer residents’ questions about the 25 cents we collect on every hundred dollar purchase.

“An outcome of the economy doing better is more people are back to work, including people with disabilities. Issue 2 will guarantee job access for those who rely on Dial-a-Ride and also improve service along job corridors, like Tyler Boulevard (in Mentor).”

Laketran Board President Brian Falkowski said he hopes people will take advantage of the meeting to learn about the importance of the levy.

“The passage of Issue 2 will make significant impact on the lives of seniors, and their ability to age in place and remain independent here in Lake County,” he added. “Seniors and people with disabilities will soon make up over a quarter of our population, and we need them active in our community and economy.”

Laketran’s public meetings regarding its November sales tax levy will be held:

• Sept. 19 at Madison Public Library - 6111 Middle Ridge Road

• Sept. 25 at Mentor Public Library - 8215 Mentor Ave.

• Oct. 1 at Wickliffe Public Library - 1713 Lincoln Road

• Oct. 3 at Morley Public Library - 184 Phelps St. in Painesville

• Oct. 7 at Willoughby Public Library - 30 Public Square

• Oct. 14 at Willowick Public Library - 263 E. 305th St.

• Oct. 17 at Eastlake Public Library - 36706 Lake Shore Blvd.

• Oct. 23 at Perry Public Library - 3753 Main St.

• Oct. 24 at Fairport Harbor Public Library - 335 Vine St.

• Oct. 29 at Kirtland Public Library - 9267 Chillicothe Road.

All meetings begin at 6 p.m.

SUBMITTED Dial-a-Ride, Laketran’s door-to-door, assisted transportation shared-ride service, has increased 18 percent over the past four years.