MY MAY 27, 2023, LETTER TO UTAH TRANSIT AUTHORITY (UTA) OFFICIALS IN REGARD TO A PROPOSED NEW UTA FOUNDATION

 ----- Forwarded Message -----

From: John McMillan <mcmillanj@att.net>

To: Utah Transit Authority <rbarron@rideuta.com>; Utah Transit Authority <rideuta@public.govdelivery.com>; Utah Transit Authority <llasker@rideuta.com>; Utah Transit Authority <rideuta@public.govdelivery.com>; Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall 2021 <mayor@slcgov.com>; County Council Member Bradshaw <arbradshaw@slco.org>; Salt Lake City (UT) City Council <council.comments@slcgov.com>; Mayor Wilson <mayor@slco.org>; Utah Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson 2021 <beckiepage@utah.gov>; Joel Briscoe <jbriscoe@le.utah.gov>; Him-roi <him-roi@umail.utah.edu>; Jplumb <jplumb@le.utah.gov>; Office of Gov. Spencer Cox <govcomm@utah.gov>; UT_Webmanager <ut_webmanager@hud.gov>; Utah Restaurant Association 2022 <info@utahrestaurantassociation.org>; Federal Transit Administration 2021 <ftapressoffice@dot.gov>; U.S. Transportation Dept. Technical Assist 2021 <ptasp-tac@dot.gov>; Angela Romero <angelaromero@le.utah.gov>; Internships <internships@romney.senate.gov>; Brandon Lee <brandon.lee@austintexas.gov>; pedbikesafety@dot.gov <pedbikesafety@dot.gov>; liam.anderson <liam.anderson@mail.house.gov>; mark.coffield <mark.coffield@mail.house.gov>; Mark A. Strong <mstrong@le.utah.gov>; markwheatley@le.utah.gov <markwheatley@le.utah.gov>; info@gop.com <info@gop.com>; Utah Apartment Association 2022 <info@uaahq.org>; communications@utahbar.org <communications@utahbar.org>; Utah Public Radio 2022 <tom.williams@usu.edu>; Fox News SLC 2022 <news@fox13now.com>; George Pyle <gpyle@sltrib.com>; Deseret News 2022 <dnweb@deseretnews.com>; nytnews@nytimes.com <nytnews@nytimes.com>; Los Angeles Times <newstips@latimes.com>; DenverPostEditors <newsroom@denverpost.com>; Time Magazine Editors <letters@time.com>; CBS News '60 Minutes' Editors and Reporters <60m@cbsnews.com>; Matt Bernstein Boston Globe (2016) <mbernstein@globe.com>; Harper's Magazine Editors <letters@harpers.org>; Harvard Political Review (Cambridge, Mass.) <editor@hpronline.org>; University of Utah Student Newspaper 2022 <press@chronicle.utah.edu>; Jennifer Gardiner <jgardiner@abc4.com>; Jennifer Gardiner <jgardiner@abc4.com>; NBC Nightly News Headqrtrs 2016 <contact.nbcnews@nbcuni.com>; nbauer@abc4.com <nbauer@abc4.com>; Salt Lake City (UT) City Council <council.comments@slcgov.com>

Cc: City Weekly (SLC) News Editor Benjamin Wood <bwood@cityweekly.net>; Utah League of Cities 2022 <lthrailkill@ulct.org>; Utah League of Cities and Towns 2022 <swood@ulct.org>; Utah Business magazine 2022 <news@utahbusiness.com>; Utah Broadcasters Association <linda@utahbroadcasters.com>; Utah Republican Party <info@utgop.org>; DMN Austin Bureau Reporter Robert Garrett <rtgarrett@dallasnews.com>

Sent: Saturday, May 27, 2023 at 08:55:39 AM MDT

Subject: Proposed New UTA Foundation

May 27, 2023

Dear Utah Transit Authority (UTA) Officials,

I would like to respectfully ask whether you know of any statewide or local  public transit authority anywhere in the USA that currently accepts and receives financial donations and grants  through a non-profit foundation affiliated with that authority?

A proposed new "Friends of UTA" foundation could, among other things, help to significantly increase funding for purchase of additional physician-recommended orthopedically comfortable  benches,  installation of additional rain- or snow-protection roofs or covers  at UTA bus stops and train stops, improve lighting at many of the UTA bus stops and train stops, monitor and surveillance the incidence of tobacco consumption or vaping on UTA properties more thoroughly,  finance studies on how to reduce the number of delays and derailments that occur in UTA train service and bus service, and increase the number of times per week in which trash and broken glass are promptly removed from any and all UTA properties.

Also, does UTA currently have adequate funding to formally  pursue a nationwide research project focused on obtaining information about any and all current non-profit foundations throughout the USA that each financially  aid an affiliated public mass transit authority on a frequent basis?

 If not, do you know which government agency or non-profit group could assist UTA in the financing of that research aimed at identifying new strategies for increased financial support for UTA on a year-round and continuing basis?

As a loyal year-round passenger on UTA trains and UTA buses here in Salt Lake City and Salt Lake County on a year-round basis, I myself would welcome the opportunity to donate some money to UTA through an affiliated foundation of yours that can accept donations from private citizens.

Sincerely and Best Wishes,

John Kevin McMillan, 535 South 200 East, Apt. 912, Salt Lake City, UT 84111.

Cell phone: (512) 993-7305.

Home phone: (801) 355-0850.