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Fink challenges Stone in RVTD race for Position 1 Thomas Fink, left, and Donald Stone Saturday Apr 29, 2017 at 11:40 AM Apr 29, 2017 at 11:40 AM Buffy Pollock for the Mail Tribune Both Ashland men vying for Position 1 on the Rogue Valley Transportation District board in the May 16 election praised the district for well managed growth, but they express concerns about long-term funding from state and federal sources and continued need for expanded offerings. Don Stone, who was appointed to the board last year, is running against newcomer Thomas Fink. A third candidate, James Stephens, canceled his bid for the position but missed a deadline to have his name removed from the ballot. A retired transportation training adviser and past member of the RVTD Budget Committee, Fink, 68, called the bus system "a local treasure" in need of expansion to accommodate a growing community. "The citizens of this county have voted, almost to a super majority, in fact, to support mass transit," Fink said. "The tax measure passed by 61 percent. I'm interested in looking for state or federal grants to expand our level of service and to anticipate future growth." Fink said he supports upgraded bus stops and expanded service for evening runs for passengers with night shifts or who want transportation to entertainment venues. "I've ridden the bus when there are standing loads, so there's a huge demand for transit," Fink said. "We have a very good system, but it is hobbled by the lack of commitment by the state and especially the federal government." Stone said he has joined district officials in lobbying state legislators for increased transit funding. A lifelong fan of public transit, Stone said his grandfather served as a transit official in Denver, and his own 20-year career in freight transportation offers unique insight. "I know how to move things from one point to another. Basically, public transit is pretty much the same thing as freight, the only difference is that instead of loading things on to a truck, you're helping to move people from point A to point B," Stone said. With voter approval in November for a tax levy, Stone agreed with Fink that support at a higher level was an important focus. Stone said he felt strongly about the local economic impact of a healthy transit system. "We received a property tax increase for five years, which allowed us to expand in a lot of ways. We're in a very good position right now, but I am concerned that we could be facing long-term cutbacks from the state level," Stone said. "It's been estimated that for every dollar spent on public transit, four dollars is spent on economic growth in our community, so access to public transportation is extremely important. "I've been to Salem with our general manager and staff to do some lobbying toward a one-tenth of 1 percent tax throughout the state. Just that small amount would raise millions of dollars for public transit around the state." — Reach freelance writer Buffy Pollock at [email protected].