Don't attempt this when you are going to Legislative Session

A man jump 23 feet from gallery in Romania because he was so angry at parliament for cutting health insurance for his son who have autism. If anyone attenpt this at my work, they will be charged with some crime and be banned from Minnesota State Capitol for some time just like jumper jump into field at Target Field will be charged and banned for one year. You also could find more pictures by going to Huffington Post article by clicking here.

I notice there are no Ushers or Page or Sergant at Arms or Security in gallery.. How do they control fans at Romanian Parliament and wonder what are they going to do after this incident?

Rach's Letter to Star Tribune Editor

STAR TRIBUNE

12/18/2010


I use Metro Transit on a regular basis due to being legally blind. It is the only mode of transportation I have.

Because I wait for the bus at shelters or stops, I'm aware that the city, businesses and even Metro Transit have done little to clear the huge messes of snow left by plows on sidewalks and corner curbs.

I've had to walk on and wait for buses on the sides of the streets instead of on the sidewalk.

Officials need to think about the safety of bus riders and wheelchair users who need to use sidewalks to safely take the bus.

If you live near bus shelters, please shovel the bus stops and corner curbs that have not been cleared by the city or Metro Transit. Bus riders would appreciate your help.

RACHEL EGGERT, ST. PAUL

Rach's Letter to Pioneer Press Editor: Clearing snow for bus riders

Clearing snow for bus riders

Pioneer Press

12/16/2010

I am a bus rider and I use Metro Transit on a regular basis because of legal blindness; it's the only mode of transportation I have. I wait for the bus at bus shelters or stops. The city, businesses and even Metro Transit haven't cleared snow after the snowplows, leaving a huge mess on sidewalks and corner curbs. I had to walk and wait for buses on the side of the street, instead of the sidewalk.

They need to think about safety for bus riders, the elderly and disabled, even wheelchair riders, who need to use the bus and need to use the sidewalk.

If you live near bus shelters, please shovel bus stops and corner curbs. Bus riders would appreciate your help.

Rachel Eggert, St. Paul

Update from my previous blog on vent of snow removal situation

Earlier I wrote how pissed off I was about snow not being removed from bus stop on previous blog entry. Finally I got e-mail response from my councilman which was good.

Here are e-mail replies between me and my councilman:

Hi XXXX,
Sorry I didn't reply asap, was at retirement party for Speaker Kelliher at Target Field and thanks for gettting back to me sooner.

To answer your question, XXXX and XXXX- bus stops are at three corners. also two more stops on XXXX and XXXX.

If Downtown is in your ward, I also would like to see bus stops that have high volume of traffic to be shoveled also.

How long do you think work would get done?

See you on thursday at your kick off party. Thanks again for getting back to me.

Rach


Coumcilman's response after I wrote email earlier.

--- On Tue, 12/14/10, XXXX XXXXXX wrote:


From: XXXX XXXXXXX
Subject: Re: Snow removal at bus stops & shelters, sidewalk are not cleared very well- safety concern
To: "XXXXXXXX" , senatoreggert@yahoo.com
Date: Tuesday, December 14, 2010, 7:39 PM


Thank you Rachel

I know that Mayor Coleman and I agree that safe streets, walks and
intersections are of highest priority in our Minnesota winter. Rest
assured that bus stops and crosswalks will be cleaned. The heavy
snowfall has us a little behind but our hardworking employees are
working extra shifts to do the job for you.

Are there any particular bus stops or intersections we should place on a
priority list? Email back and we'll get on them.

Thanks again for contacting us

XXXX

My vent of snow plowing & letter to my Councilman and Mayor

I had to write e-mail to my Councilman and Mayor because I was not too happy with how the Public works Department does it works even Metro Transit for not clearing snow off at bus stops and shelters. Here is my vent:


Dear Mayor Coleman and Councilmember XXXXXX,

I have been living in XXXX and XXXX area in XXX Ward since September. I do like living in St. Paul but I would like to vent out about how public works department does its job.

I am very disappointed in City of St. Paul and Metro Transit for not clearing snow off bus stops even sidewalks are very narrow. Businesses was not very helpful when it comes to clear snow off at bus stops & shelters. Streets are plowed but what about bus stops & shelter and sidewalks that have too much snow?

I am bus rider myself and I use bus on regular basis. I can’t go out that much because of bus stops are not being clear of snow. I had to walk on street because snow are STILL on low rise corner curbs even wait for buses on side of the street.

It is not too safe to wait for buses on street INSTEAD of sidewalk when there are big pile of snow. Last time we had snowstorm, I had hard time getting on and off buses due to bad balance and I am legally blind; I complained to city, they did nothing! What about people who use wheelchairs who use bus, how can they get on and off bus even where would they wait for buses if bus shelters & stops are not clear of snow? It is dangerous for them as well.

My point is that I am speaking out for bus riders and disability community. They use bus frequently like I do on regular basis and it is only mode of transportation I have since I can’t drive regular cars due to legally blindness.

Again, I am trying to get my point across for bus riders and disabled people including my own safety.

Thank you for your time to read e-mail and hope to hear from you soon


Sincerely,

Rachel Eggert

(address not published)