Letter to CEO, copied to RTA Board
Subject: Dayton RTA - Status review of deceptive signage + noncomplying firearm policy = corrective action needed
Mr. Donaghy,
More than two months have passed since I publicly spoke (Oct. 4, 2016) to the members of the RTA Board about two subjects: 1) the deceptive and inaccurate “Private Property” signage on the public property which is the Wright Transit Stop, and 2) the fact that RTA was not in compliance with Ohio Revised Code 9.68 with respect to its wholesale prohibition of firearm carry on RTA buses and property open to the public.
I have also filed a number of records requests, at least one of which is now 56 days old - far older than the reasonably expected response time of 30 days.
On October 18, Kelly May of TV channels 22/45 broadcast a report which stated that you said RTA was doing a legal review of its policies. However, it appears that nothing has changed. Specifically, on November 15 you stated only that the signage was “likely” to change. In addition, the “Rules of the Road” & “Code of Conduct” supplied to me on December 15 both still include a prohibition on firearm carry.
With regard to RTA’s firearm carry prohibition, based on records which I was supplied with as well as information from other sources, it’s clear that RTA has been aware for years that its policy conflicts with ORC 9.68: you yourself said so in November of 2015. In that same communication you made it clear that you preferred that someone engage RTA in litigation rather than change RTA policy from within. Given that every other major Ohio regional transit authority is currently in compliance with Ohio law, I wouldn’t think that the RTA Board would countenance your engaging in such frivolous legal activity.
RTA has had plenty of time to consider changing its deceptive signage, as well as complying with Ohio law regarding firearm carry - so I’d like to know when RTA will be correcting both circumstances?
In an effort to be more than reasonable, I look forward to being advised within the next 30 days that RTA has taken appropriate corrective action. If I don’t receive communication of such corrective action, I will take further steps to facilitate RTA’s compliance.
Cordially,
me