Commissioners hear concerns about GTS services
By Bob Robinson

GREENVILLE – During the public comments part of the Darke County Commissioners session Oct. 9, Art Garland and Louise (Weezy) Alexander asked about the changes in Greenville Transit Systems (GTS) policies, saying transportation used to be available for doctors’ appointments to Dayton.

“Now they charge a dollar a mile,” she said. “Private pay is $25 plus a dollar a mile to go there, and $25 plus $.75 a mile to come back.

“Patients can’t afford that. There has to be some kind of help.”

Commissioners Diane Delaplane and Mike Rhoades (Commissioner Mike Stegall was on vacation) said GTS had a grant for that. They no longer have it.

Noting she has called around and Spirit Ambulance is the same, Garland added, “There are loopholes for Medicaid. What happened to transportation for others for their doctor’s appointments?”

Alexander said she spent 35 years in health care, and now has MS (Multiple Sclerosis).

“I had my first seizure while I was driving on Jan. 23. Thank God no one was hurt.”

She told the commissioners she’d never had a problem, never had a disability…

“Now when it comes to my need I can’t have it; I’m not on Medicare. If I get on welfare then I’d be taken care of.”

“I feel for you,” Rhoades said. “I do, but we don’t have the money in our budget.”

“Job and Family Services had grants before,” Delaplane said. “Now that money has dried up.” She asked about other avenues, maybe local churches?

“They wouldn’t even have to use their car; they can use hers,” Garland added. “I’ve been ‘driving Miss Weezy’ but I work full time.”

Alexander said it wasn’t just about her; there are others with the same problems. They hoped to make the public aware; maybe there are other possibilities, maybe volunteers to help.

Garland said anyone who can help or had any ideas could call her at 459-0355.

In other business commissioners took bids for Mote & Associates project’s Deerfield Road Water Line improvements for the Village of Union City. The village engineer’s estimate was $85,000. Bids ranged from $78,600 from American Decorative Concrete (ADC) to $120,866. The second bid was $90,381 from Markley Excavating, LLC. Third through fifth came from Tumbusch Construction, Inc., Culy Contracting and Brumbaugh Construction, Inc.

Published courtesy of The Early Bird