The fixed bus routes, also known as the RIDE, celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2012. (Photo courtesy of the Center for Community website)

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Connie Sipe, the Executive Director of the Center for Community, is part of the effort to draft Sitka’s coordinated transit plan, which is open for public comment through Monday, June 15.

This draft plan, called the 2015-19 Sitka Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Coordinated Plan, is updated every five years and used by various agencies in Sitka when they apply for transportation-related grants. Sipe discusses the purpose of the plan, funding picture, and her hopes for public and paratransit in Sitka.

A copy of the prepublication draft of the coordinated plan can be picked up at the Center for Community office, 700 Katlian St., Suite B, or at the Sitka Tribe of Alaska main office, 456 Katlian St. (upstairs). The draft plan also is posted on the Center for Community website at http://www.cfc.org/our-services-2/the-ride.

Public comments can be emailed to Center for Community Transit Project Assistant Charles Bingham at cbingham@cfc.org by Monday, June 15. A summary of comments then will be presented to Sitka Tribe of Alaska, which will hear a resolution approving the draft plan at its regular tribal council meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 17, at the Sheet’ká Kwáan Naa Kahídi. The tribal council meeting is open to the public and will include a time for public comment on the plan.

The Care-A-Van had no passengers at the time of the accident. (Center for Community photo)

Tom Conley was driving the Southeast Senior Services’ Care-A-Van outbound along the 3300 block of HPR when he swerved to avoid construction personnel and put the van in the ditch just past Sollar’s Trailer Court at about 12:30 PM.

There were no passengers in the van at the time.

The van rolled onto its side, and came to rest pointing inbound. Sitka Fire Chief Dave Miller says Conley required assistance getting out of the van, but no special equipment was required.

Conley was transported by EMS to SEARHC Hospital, where he was treated and released Thursday. When KCAW News spoke with Conley on Friday about the accident, he had returned to the hospital for follow-up care.

Conley is a former school board member in Sitka, who has filed to return to office in this October’s municipal election. Bus driver is Conley’s second career: He retired last year as a physician at SEARHC Hospital.

The Care-A-Van is one of five operating in Sitka. Mary Ann Mills directs Southeast Senior Services for Catholic Community Services based in Juneau. She says it’s not known yet if the van is a total loss. She also does not anticipate a reduction in service while the van is out of commission.