By Heart of Illinois ABC

BLOOMINGTON– The vice chair of the Twin-Cities public transportation board will serve another four year term despite objections from two Bloomington City Council members.

Ryan Whitehouse is completing his second four-year term representing Bloomington on the Connect Transit Board. The city council Monday night backed Mayor Tari Renner’s decision to reappoint him to the volunteer position.

While thanking Whitehouse for his service, news partner Heart of Illinois ABC says council members Jenn Carrillo and Jeff Crabill said a change is needed. Crabill said he’s not sure Whitehouse will continue to serve community needs, given his votes to cut routes and raise fares.

Voting with the majority, Council member Donna Boelen said she likes the makeup of the current board, which includes two members representing disabled riders.

The council unanimously approved Renner’s other Connect Transit nominee, Deborah Presley. She was a member of the Connect to the Future working group. According to Renner, Presley’s son has special needs and is a regular Connect Transit rider.

Presley’s appointment also won favor with the group called Citizens to Ensure Fair Transit, which describes her as a “true advocate for the rights of riders in our community.”