x
Breaking News
More () »

Davenport City Council members weigh in on Gluba’s veto of CitiBus changes

Change is coming, but when that happens is still up in the air.

The path for change to Davenport's transportation system takes a detour with a veto from Mayor Bill Gluba.

"There is no emergency or compelling reason to immediately move forward with such a drastic route change. By changing all of these routes, you're going to put a lot of people out in the cold," Mayor Gluba said at his veto announcement on Saturday.

Gluba says council members should take more time to consider how those changes are made. Alderman Ray Ambrose agrees.

"Whether we table it or veto it until the next Mayor and city council comes in, that's just good government," Ambrose said.

He suggests a transportation plan be approved by the new mayor and council.

"To reassure the people. We want to embrace them and reassure them that there won't be a negative impact on their lives. That by far isn't something the Mayor or the city council wants to do," Ambrose said.

Alderman Bill Boom takes a different approach. He believes their vote was a statement that the council wants to see change, but the proposal itself is still a work in progress.

"I think it's time to tell staff that we do want to make these changes and get to work on this. We will tweak it as we go along," Boom said.

He says for all the work that needs to be done on the transportation plan, it makes more sense for a decision to be made now.

"You know, you can kick the can down the road. My fear in doing this is that we will get bogged down in the minutia of how many minutes is it from point A to point B," Boom said.

Change is coming, but when that happens is still up in the air.

City Council members could still reverse Mayor Gluba's veto if 7 of the 10 members decide to overturn it. Boom says that vote could come as early as this week.

Before You Leave, Check This Out