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Serving Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Harford, and Howard Counties
and the Cities of Annapolis and Baltimore.
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Thank you for subscribing to B'More Involved! B'More Involved is designed
to provide you with helpful information on transportation planning, citizen
involvement, and environmental justice. This important information is e-mailed
out on a regular basis and is a great way for you to learn more, stay up-to-date
on important events and news and, of course, let you know how you can B'More
Involved!
In this issue:
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$340
MILLION FOR TRANSIT. HOW WOULD YOU SPEND IT? |
BRTB Seeking Public Input, Hosting Public Workshops
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 When
the Maryland General Assembly passed a revenue enhancement package
during the recent special session, it left the Baltimore Regional
Transportation Board (BRTB) with a problem we'd all like to have -
what to do with an extra $340 million.
In response to public
input and amid concerns about escalating costs, the BRTB has
determined that the additional $340 million in funds for capital
expansion should be directed toward a combination of short- and
long-term transit projects.
Now the BRTB is looking to the region's citizens for advice on what
kinds of transit projects the public would like funded.
What kinds of transit projects would you like to see? Park &
Ride? Green Line? Hybrid buses? Transit shelters? Real time travel
info? Dedicated bus lanes?
Join us at a
public workshop to share your thoughts
The public
input period will run from August 1 through September 2, and will
include several meetings and workshops:
Tuesday, August 12
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Session 1: 3 - 5 p.m., with presentation at 3 p.m.
- Session
2: 6 - 8 p.m., with presentation at 6 p.m.
Tuesday, August 26-
1 - 3 p.m. with presentation at 1 p.m.
Public meetings and workshops will be held at the Baltimore
Metropolitan Council, 2700 Lighthouse Point East (2700 block of Boston
Street), Suite 310, in the Canton area of Baltimore city.
If
you cannot attend a meeting, you may submit written comments to Monica
Haines at 2700 Lighthouse Point East, Suite 310, Baltimore, MD 21224;
by fax to 410-732-8248; by e-mail to
comments@baltometro.org, or
online using our comment form. Written comments must be received
no later than September 2.
For more information contact Monica
Haines at 410-732-0500 x1047 or
mhaines@baltometro.org.
>> Share your ideas about how to spend the $340
million for transit |
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GAS PRICES GOT YOU FRAZZLED? CAR SHARING CAN HELP!
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Baltimore City launches Baltimore CarShare program
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Do you or could you walk,
bicycle and take public transportation to most of your destinations
but still need a car every once in a while?
Do you drive to work because you need a car to get to meetings during
the day?
Car sharing
can help!
The Parking Authority of Baltimore City is
helping to launch Baltimore CarShare, a non-profit car sharing
organization that will provide a network of conveniently located
vehicles for members to rent for as little as a half an hour. Low
hourly rates include maintenance, insurance, designated parking and
gas!
Members feel free to give up one or more of their cars
knowing a car sharing vehicle is available nearby whenever they need
one. Employees can save the wear and tear on their own vehicles and
use a car sharing vehicle instead.
Imagine a fleet of hybrid
vehicles, pickup trucks, minivans, Mini Coopers, BMW's and
convertibles available at the click of a mouse.
Car sharing can
take up to 20 vehicles off the road! |
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OPENINGS FOR NEW CITIZENS ADVISORY
COMMITTEE MEMBERS
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Several slots opening up for January 2009 term |
The Baltimore Regional Transportation Board (BRTB) is currently
seeking volunteers representing a diverse cross section of area
residents and interest groups for participation on the Citizens
Advisory Committee (CAC).
The primary role of the Citizens
Advisory Committee will be to enhance citizen and public involvement
in the transportation planning process.
Additionally,
members will receive regular updates on the planning process and be
able to discuss planning issues.
The CAC is an appointed
committee of the Baltimore Regional Transportation Board.
Members will serve a three-year term, starting in January 2009.
For more information or to apply to serve on the CAC, contact Monica
Haines at
mhaines@baltometro.org or
410-732-0500 x1047.
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HOWARD COUNTY SEEKING PUBLIC INPUT ON TRANSIT PLAN
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Comments accepted through mid-September |
Howard County is currently undertaking a comprehensive
assessment of its local bus service, Howard Transit, with the
objective of developing recommendations for service expansions and
capital improvements.
Details of the assessment are
included in a recently released consultant report, which also outlines
preliminary recommendations for upgrading and expanding Howard Transit
bus service.
The report is available electronically on the
county's web site or by clicking on the link below. Hard copies are
also available for review at all county libraries and senior centers
as well as the front counter of the Department of Planning and Zoning.
Members of the public are encouraged to review the draft
recommendations and submit comments by mid-September. To submit
comments electronically, please e-mail one of the following
individuals:
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BALTIMORE CITY HOSTS MEETINGS ON SUSTAINABILITY PLAN
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Workgroups focusing on parks, recyling, water quality, transportation,
and more! |
 The
Baltimore City Office of Sustainability is currently developing a
Sustainability Plan, with the goal of improving the quality of life in
Baltimore now and for generations to come. In order to engage
the community in a comprehensive discussion on sustainability, a
series of "community conversations" are currently being held.
Join the Community Conversation on Transportation
The purpose of the Community Conversation on Transportation is to
inform the public about the Baltimore Sustainability Plan process, to
start getting recommendations for strategies and indicators to create
a sustainable transportation system for Baltimore, and to encourage
people to stay involved with the process through the October 28th
Sustainability Commission public meeting/presentation.
Thursday, August 21, 2008
5:45 - 7:45 p.m.
Orleans Public Library
(1301 Orleans Street, Baltimore)
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HEALTHY HOMES
FESTIVAL COMING TO BALTIMORE |
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Festival kicks-off National Healthy Homes Conference |
The National Healthy Homes Festival will take place on
September 12-14, 2008 at Druid Hill Park and will bring
together local and state community partners, health, housing, and
environmental organizations, local universities, lead and asthma
prevention programs, federal, state, and city agencies, and people
from Maryland and across the nation. This effort is to encourage
people to take action in their own homes and rental properties in
order to prevent harmful diseases and illness caused by toxins such as
lead, mold, and other home based environmental hazards.
The Healthy Homes Festival will serve as a precursor to the 2008 National
Healthy Homes Conference- Building a Framework for Healthy Housing. This
conference will gather a broad community of experts to discuss regulatory,
policy, research, and outreach needs and their implications in the development
of comprehensive, integrated approaches linking health and housing to ensure
safe, healthy and efficient housing.
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GRANT OPPORTUNITIES FOR MD PREPAREDNESS MONTH
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$500 grants available for community service projects and educational
activities
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Mini-grants in the amount of $500 are now available for community
service projects and educational activities taking place in September
to encourage Marylanders to prepare for emergencies.
This year's Preparedness Month focus is the "Four Steps to
Preparedness." These include:
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Making an emergency kit
- Creating a plan
- Staying
informed
- Getting involved
All area residents are encouraged to take simple steps to prepare
their homes, schools, and businesses for an unexpected event in order
to make our communities safer and stronger.
For more
information and application details, contact Debbie Staigerwald,
Maryland State Citizen Corps Program Manager at
dstaigerwald@gosv.state.md.us.
These grants are made possible by a partnership between the Governor's
Office of Homeland Security, the Maryland Emergency Management Agency,
the Governor's Office of Community Initiatives, the Governor's Office
on Service and Volunteerism, and Citizen Corps.
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Monica Haines
Baltimore Metropolitan Council
410-732-0500 x1047
mhaines@baltometro.org |
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Baltimore Metropolitan Council | 2700 Lighthouse Point East, Suite 310 |
Baltimore | MD | 21224 |
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