Blind resident urges commission to keep Carter Caravan paratransit subsidy, offers petition

Lisa Norton, who said she is blind and lives in Red Bank, asked the commission during citizen comments to reconsider plans to discontinue city subsidy for Carter Caravan paratransit service. Norton told the commission the service supports dozens of residents who use it for employment, medical appointments and errands and said she had collected more than 75 online signatures in support of continued funding. "Paratransit is not just a mode of transportation. It is a lifeline for individuals like me," she said.

City staff did not provide an immediate response during citizen comments; commissioners did not take action at the meeting but the request and petition were recorded for future consideration. Norton asked the commission to review the decision before the subsidy ends in December.