The more than year-long conflict between an Eastern Iowa Council of Governments (EICOG) transp…

By Mary Zielinski (free-lance)

The more than year-long conflict between an Eastern Iowa Council of Governments (EICOG) transportation planner and the Washington County Mini-Bus is the center of a public meeting set for Thursday, August 19, from 6:30-8 p.m. in the Washington Public Library.

Chris O’Hanlon, representing the Washington County Council on Disability Rights and Education, told the county supervisors August 12 that Mary Rump, EICOG transportation planner who has claimed the Mini-Bus is providing illegal charter services, was invited to the meeting.

The meeting, sponsored by the Washington Council on Disabilities (CDRE) and the Evert Conner Center for Independent Living, is for all citizens in the county, said O’Hanlon.

In their announcement, the sponsors said the meeting is to discuss issues surrounding the Mini-Bus, and “We are seeking to learn in general terms how your future access to and use of the Washington Mini-Bus could be impacted in the near future.”

The group also has invited other officials, including Leonard Tindal, the local Mini-Bus director.

Tindal has been accused by Rump of allowing the Mini-Bus to be used for “inappropriate services,” that amounts to an “illegal charter service.”

Tindal has responded that he believes the Mini-Bus has followed federal regulations, including those involving charter services.

A meeting to discuss the Mini-Bus issues was held July 27. At that time, there was agreement that interpretation of the regulations should be reviewed by the Iowa Department of Transportation, an overseer for the service. Also at that time, the Mini-Bus transportation contract between the county Mini-Bus service and EICOG was extended to September 30.

Funding is from the federal and state governments through the IDOT. EICOG is the recipient who arranges and administers the contract with Washington County Mini-Bus, as well as with other similar services in other counties).

A number of those served by the Mini-Bus are the developmentally disabled, as well as the Kalona By-Ways Tours.

For more information about the August 19 meeting, call O’Hanlon at 319-653-2369 or Jo Howell, 319- 653-2775.