| |
"He was a fantastic guy"
|
-- A tribute to Michael Jefferson
|
|
|
 hen 11-year RTA veteran operator Michael Dejohn Jefferson passed away on October 4, he was honored by family, friends and coworkers. The destination sign on an RTA bus sent to his funeral displayed "Michael Jefferson" and bore a wreath and operator’s cap on its grill.
 |
| Michael Dejohn Jefferson) |
"Michael meant a great deal to his customers, his fellow employees at RTA and most every person he met," said Mark Donaghy, Executive Director.
Fellow Operator Devin Oldendick made sure to attend Jefferson’s funeral. "I just felt I needed to be there. You hear the expression, ‘nicest guy you’d ever want to meet.’ But it was who Mike was," he said.
"Whenever you saw him he had a positive attitude. I never, ever heard anyone say anything bad about him," said Operator Shelley Clay.
"He enjoyed what he did. He was always respectful to other people. If there was ever anything Mike could do for someone, he would do it. He was a fantastic guy," Clay added.
Jefferson’s wife, Nannie, said he was an "exceptional father, husband and very loving."
Stepson Michael Hixson said, "My dad’s work ethic for RTA was insurmountable." Hixson read an original poem at Mr. Jefferson’s funeral, which tells the story of how this dedicated bus operator, husband, father and musician loved and deeply touched his family. Hixson has given us permission to print the poem here in loving memory of his stepfather.
|
|
|
|
"Stop Requested"
A poem by Michael Hixson
I know that life for me seemed short but in this time a lot of good was invested,
So, it was appropriate for the stop requested.
To my little Nannie, my wife, my little barefoot country chef so sweet,
I loved fruits and veggies as my treat, but my favorite was the one that I picked of the tree myself, you my little Georgia Peach.
 |
| By Michael Hixson (stepson of Michael Dejohn Jefferson) |
It was amazing how it started out and our love journey did begin.
You came to me with a heart fractured of some loves lost, not so nice men,
But through God the void was filled with a space that was only big enough for your little "Pooh" to fit in.
It’s funny how I used to play in the band, but it was with you that I had my greatest tour.
Not just in life but in love. You took me places that I’ve never been before.
Virginia, Akron, Columbus, Kansas City, Georgia, Jamaica, the rock star life.
Living life out of a suitcase hearing "Come on Pooh" and "Hurry up" from my little wife
A good Christian husband and a good Christian wife, not a Bonnie and Clyde,
But still had loads of fun and enjoyed the ride.
Other than obeying the gospel this next part is what truly made me sing,
the day we exchanged those golden rings and got married and on your head I slid the tiara and of my life crowned you queen.
In you I found a wife and I found a good thing.
Now you know when you get married you marry the family too.
Not baggage, but the deluxe package was given to me from you.
Denise & Lamarr, Shantrice & Ben, Dania, Tamar, Jordan, Brittany, Brianna, Benyanna.
I didn’t forget the last one helped to close and complete the family circle and cycle,
Who wouldn’t have minded being Michael Dejohn Jefferson Jr., but his public records read Hixson, Michael.
Look to God when you feel sad again and at your son Michael in the twinkle of his eyes
and musical gifts because I still live in him
I tried my best and think I succeeded to give Shantrice, Michael, and Denise something that they never had.
A small but powerful 3 letter word a "Dad"
You may think it’s small, but there’s something that you did.
You gave a mommy to Lady my 70 lb Akita-German Shepherd kid.
To all of my buddies working at RTA,
I enjoyed laughing and working with you all everyday.
I benefited more than the passengers when that bus I would drive.
I would fly past you with a smile on my face waving like I was on a carnival ride.
To Craig, Jeff, Terry, brothers tall and skinny,
We Four Kings had moments of fun and boy did we have plenty!
Well family it’s time for me to go. Don’t be sad although it’s tough I know.
The sign reads "Sorry Not In Service" and "To Garage."
I pressed the yellow button "Stop Requested" Destination Pearly Gates and Holy City —
I’m going back to God.
|
|
|
|
RTA will help Carl’s Coats for Kids campaign
The RTA will provide free shuttle service from a Goodwill facility on Kuntz Road to the new warehouse at 5565 Webster Street from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on November 10, the day that "Carl’s Coats for Kids" donations will be distributed.
"Because we changed the warehouse location this year, we worried that some people would ride the bus to the Kuntz address," said Marty O’Dell, Volunteer Program Manager for Goodwill Easter Seals. Organizers didn’t want those who did not know about the change to struggle connecting to the new location.
O’Dell noted that the Route 34 bus will serve this location at a temporary Webster Street stop on November 10 to accommodate people bringing donations.
Each year Dayton area residents donate new or washable children’s coats to Carl’s Coats for Kids for families in need. The campaign is sponsored by WDTN and you can get more information at wdtn.com
|
|
Northwest Transit Center renovation
is a promise kept |
State and Trotwood city officials joined with RTA on October 18 to dedicate the newly renovated Northwest Transit Center at 2075 Shiloh Springs Road.
The $1 million project was begun in November of 2010 with 80% of the funding provided by the Federal Transit Administration |
|
 he transit center improvements represent "a promise RTA has kept" to Trotwood, according to Executive Director Mark Donaghy. The renovation also serves as a sign of RTA’s commitment to support economic development in the community, he said.
The renovation was designed to enhance operational capacity, customer amenities, safety, and security and to increase efficiency for bus operations by both RTA and Greyhound. Improvements include:
• New energy-efficient customer restrooms relocated to improve waiting area safety and flow.
 |
| l-r: RTA CEO Mark Donaghy, Trotwood Mayor Joyce Sutton Cameron, Trotwood City Council’s Rap Hankins, Trotwood City Council’s Barbara Staggs, RTA Board’s Adrienne Heard, Trotwood City Council’s Nicole Johnson. |
• New Ticket/ Pass Sales Counter for customer convenience.
• Bus and private vehicles separated by new entry off Shiloh Springs Road for better accessibility.
• Bus lane traffic that accommodates two directions to load and unload customers and luggage curb side for customer safety.
• Upgraded security camera system.
• Building façade enhancements with new RTA and Greyhound branding.
• Better landscaping and parking lot repairs.
• Upgraded heating and air conditioning equipment.
• Available space for new small businesses.
Trotwood City Manager Mike Lucking said the project showed a close partnership between RTA and Trotwood officials, symbolizing "the vision we have for this community" by creating new jobs and rebuilding commercial corridors.
Trotwood Mayor Joyce Sutton Cameron declared the transit center "a tribute" that represents an investment made by RTA in the community. Council Member Rap Hankins listed several benefits to Trotwood resulting from the project, including accessibility to major roadways, direct access to eight RTA local bus routes serving 600 customers per day, 200 customers who travel daily on Greyhound buses, 10 jobs directly supported by the transit center, and $22,000 in city tax revenues.
Donaghy said the Northwest Transit Center renovation is the first step in the final phase of RTA’s rebranding efforts, noting that RTA’s three other suburban transit centers will receive similar, smaller-scale facelifts.
|
|
|
 |
|
RTA offers Veterans Day rides to military vets
Let us pay you back — ride free!
To show our thanks for their service, United States military veterans can ride free all day long on Veterans Day on RTA buses.
Any military veteran can enjoy a free ride by showing an active duty or retired military ID to the operator upon boarding. The free rides will be offered from the first scheduled service time on Friday, November 11, until the last scheduled service time in the early morning hours of November 12.
Find schedules and trip times at i-riderta.org or phone the Call Center at (937) 425-8300.
|
|
| |
|
Adopt-A-Stop program fosters community partnerships
|
|
  $1,280 grant from the Montgomery County Solid Waste Department will help RTA encourage Adopt-A-Stop Program volunteers for 20 area bus stops. Any individual, civic group, business or organization can "adopt" one or more stops by committing to regular clean-ups and waste disposal for one year.
The grant funds will pay for trash bags, gloves, grabbers, rakes and Adopt-A-Stop signs to be placed at the adopted stops to recognize these community partnerships. Stops that will be chosen for the program usually accumulate more trash than others because they serve many daily riders.
To adopt a stop, contact Howard Bard: hbard@greaterdaytonrta.org or
(937) 425-8355.
|
| |
| Visit RTA for family holiday fun after Thanksgiving |
|
  Families are invited to visit RTA during Dayton’s Holiday Festival Friday, Nov. 25, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Wright Stop Plaza, Third and Main Streets. The festival is the city’s annual holiday kick-off featuring the annual Grande Illumination and Children’s Parade Spectacular in Lights celebration that runs downtown until 9 p.m.
Wright Stop Plaza will serve as a fun-filled stop for families on the Holiday Hunt, which begins at Courthouse Square. At each designated location kids will get their holiday scavenger hunt maps stamped and can pick up goodies. RTA will provide treats and giveaways for all the kids who visit.
|
|
|
| Connecting with Communities -- How RTA serves Dayton |
|
RTA supports the towns we serve with federal grant funding for transit related community enhancements. Municipalities are invited to compete each year for project funding derived from RTA′s federal transit money. Each city receiving money for amenities provides a 20% local match and commits to ongoing maintenance of the improvements.
Community Grant Money through 2008
$525,348 awarded to Dayton since 1996 for a variety of projects including shelters and shelter improvements, signage, greenways, streetscaping and beautification, pedestrian safety, new bus stops or pads, a park and ride, and automated litter receptacles.
|
|
Where you can go in Dayton on RTA:
This list includes highlights and does not attempt to provide all the destinations possible on RTA routes throughout Dayton:
• Historic districts, including the Oregon District, Wright-Dunbar, St. Anne’s Hill, South Park, Grafton Hill, Huffman, McPherson Town, and Terra Cotta
• Several Dayton Metro Libraries, including the main library on East Third Street
• Several U.S. Post Offices, including the main post office on East Fifth Street
• Museums, including
America’s Packard Museum
Carillon Park
Patterson Homestead
Dayton Art Institute
Dayton Visual Arts Center
Dayton International Peace Museum
Paul Laurence Dunbar House
Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park
Boonshoft Museum of Discovery
SunWatch Indian Village
National Museum of the U.S.A.F.
• Parks, recreation areas, and attractions, such as
Dayton Dragons’ Fifth Third Field
RiverScape
Wegerzyn Garden
Deeds Point Park
Island Park
Sunrise Park
Eastwood Park
Wesleyan Park
Woodland Cemetery & Arboretum
Urban Krag Climbing Center
Dayton YMCA
Practice Yoga
Garden Station
Dayton Society of Painters and Sculptors
• Theaters, including
Victoria Theatre
Schuster Performing Arts Center
The Loft
Blair Hall at Sinclair
Dayton Playhouse
• Businesses, including
Price Brothers
Mendelsons
Hauer Music
Omega Music
Second Time Around
Gallery Jewelers
Cachet G! International Boutique
2nd Street Market
Standard Register
AAA Club
• Florists including
Oberer’s
Ed Smith
Furst
The Flower Shoppe
• Hospitals, including
Miami Valley Hospital
Grandview Medical Center
Good Samaritan Hospital
|
 |
| Dayton |
Routes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 14, 16, 17, 18, 19, 23, 24, X1B, X5, X1A, 40, 41, 42
|
| Bus Stops |
2,018 |
| Weekday Bus Trips |
1,146 |
| Saturday Bus Trips |
683 |
| Sunday Bus Trips |
451 |
|
• Restaurants downtown or near downtown, including
Spaghetti Warehouse
Uno Chicago Grill
De’Lish
Jay’s Seafood
SideBar
Boulevard Haus
Citilites
Coco’s Bistro
Stars at Crowne Plaza
Franco’s Ristorante & La Taverna
Thai 9
Olive
Dublin Pub
Blind Bob’s
Oregon Express
The Trolley Stop
Las Americas Caribbean Cuisine
Sa-Bai
Cold Beer & Cheeseburgers
Brixx Ice Company
Benham’s
Market Deli
Flying Pizza
Smokin’ Bar-B-Que
Mr. Hyman’s Restaurant
• Restaurants outside downtown, including
The Pine Club
Five Guys
Smash Burger
Amber Rose
Barnsider
Old Hickory Bar B-Q
Taqueria Mixteca
Elsa’s
Hasty Tasty Pancake House
the Brunch Club
Panera Bread
Chipotle’s
Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream
Tank’s Bar & Grill
Dewey’s Pizza
Milano’s
Marion’s
Joe’s Pizzaria
Dayton’s Original Pizza Factory
Southpark Tavern & Pizza
Huffy’s Barbeque
Hook’s Barbeque
Mary Ann’s Kitchen
Butter Café
• Colleges, including
University of Dayton
Sinclair Community College
Wright State University
Miami Jacobs
Central State University West
International College of Broadcasting
|
|
|
|
|
Greater Dayton Regional Transit Authority
Board of Trustees:
• James E. Newby, President
• Franz Hoge, Vice President
• Lawrence B. Clarke
• Sharon E. Hairston
• Adrienne L. Heard
• Jerry Hensley
• Janet C. Jones
• Jamie Simpson
• David P. Williamson
RTA Executive Director
• Mark Donaghy
RTA Executive Staff
• Frank Ecklar/ Director, Planning & Marketing
• Allison Ledford/ Director, Operations
• James Napier/ Director, Safety & Security Solutions
• Mary Stanforth/ Chief Financial Officer
• Gene Rhodes/ Director, Human Resources
• John Thomas/ Chief Maintenance Officer
• Anthony Whitmore /Director, Government/ Community Relations
Newsletter Staff
• Sabrina Pritchett - Editor
• Sharon Balderson - Writer
• Carmen Gaines, John Hancock - Layout and design
|
|
|
It′s time to ride RTA to these events in November
|
|
 National Model Railroad Association Dayton Train Show — Routes 2, 34
Hara Arena, 1001 Shiloh Springs Rd., Trotwood
Saturday, Nov. 5, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
One of Ohio largest train shows will offer operating layouts from tiny Z gauge to Garden gauge. How-to, hands-on clinics on model train care, bench work and model building. Seventy-five vendors at more than 360 tables with everything for train enthusiasts. Area clubs and organizations will promote and provide education for model railroading and preservation of railroad history. Trains for kids to ride. Boy Scouts can earn Railroad Merit badge. For all ages. $6 each 12 and over. Visit daytontrainshow.com for more info.
Gingerbread House Making Workshop Routes — 1, 2, 4, 19, 41
Dayton Cultural & RTA Transit Center, 40 S. Edwin C. Moses Blvd.
Saturday, Nov. 5, 9 a.m.-noon
At this workshop you will get a chance to build your own house, get a recipe for gingerbread and royal icing, and receive tips on how to decorate a gingerbread house and much more! The best part is the house you build is edible. Admission is $3 for individuals, $5 for families. For more information, contact Bobbi Beyer at (937) 333-2489.
AIGA Design Exhibit: 50 Books/50 Covers — Routes 8, 19 (4th Street)
Sinclair Community College Art Galleries, Bldg. 13, 5th & Perry Sts.
Nov. 1-17 (closed on Sundays), Mon.-Thurs. 8 a.m.-8 p.m.; Fri. 8-5; Sat. 8-3
An exhibition of award winning graphic work selected by AIGA, the professional association for design. Presented by the Design Department at Sinclair Community College. Free. Call (937) 512-5381 or visit sinclair.edu/arts/galleries for more info.
|
Free Financial Workshop — Routes 1, 2, 4, 19, 41 (1½ block walk from 3rd St.)
Jackson Center, 229 Abbey Ave.
Sat. Nov. 19, 10 a.m.-noon
Want to get a better handle on understanding your credit? Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Dayton Alumnae Chapter presents "Understanding Your Credit: Reports, Scores & More," a workshop by Wright Patt Credit Union. Light refreshments will be served. Free. Contact Kim Bugg (937) 609-0130 for more info.
Feast of Giving Thanksgiving Day Dinner — All Wright Stop Plaza routes
Dayton Convention Center, 22 E. Fifth St.
Thursday, Nov. 24, doors open at 11 a.m.
RTA will provide free service from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on all downtown buses for anyone attending the dinner. No tickets are required.
Dayton’s 3rd annual Feast of Giving Thanksgiving Day dinner will offer a traditional-style Thanksgiving dinner at no charge for anyone who might be spending the holiday alone, for those who are homeless or less fortunate, or for anyone who wants to attend.
|
|
www.i-riderta.org Greater Dayton RTA • 4 S. Main St., Dayton Ohio 45402 • (937) 425-8300 customer service
|
|
Follow us on:  and  and check us out online at i-riderta.org
|
 |