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Serving Anne
Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Harford, and Howard Counties and the Cities of
Annapolis and Baltimore.
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Dear Monica,
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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Bike to Work Day is this Friday -
Join us at a Rally!
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May is Clean Commute Month
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Carroll County Pathways Plan Open
for Review
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Public Input Sought on
Development in Baltimore County
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Sustainable Annapolis Community
Action Plan
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Plant a Tree, Save Money
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American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act of 2009
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In the News
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| BIKE TO WORK DAY IS THIS FRIDAY - JOIN US AT A
RALLY! |
| Join us at one of
9 rallies around the region |
 Bike to Work Day 2009,
sponsored by the Baltimore Metropolitan Council, will be celebrated in the
Baltimore region and across the nation this Friday, May 15, 2009. There's
still a few hours to register online and ride-in registrations are welcome!
Between 7 and 8:30 a.m. on May 15, bicycle commuters will gather at locations
throughout the Baltimore region, including:
- Anne Arundel
Co/Annapolis - City Dock, Annapolis
 Baltimore
City - War Memorial Plaza at City Hall (100 N. Holliday St.)
- Baltimore County -
Courthouse Square (400 Washington Ave, Towson)
- Carroll County**- County Office Building
(225 N Center St, Westminster)
- Harford County - Government
Center (220 S. Main St, Bel Air)
- Howard County - The Mall in
Columbia (by Sears Service Center, 10300 Little Patuxent Parkway,
Columbia)
New in 2009! Rallies are also being held at Morgan State University,
Johns Hopkins University - Homewood campus, and the College of Notre Dame of
Maryland.
Register today for a free B2W09 T-shirt, a goodie bag, an on-the-go snack
with java, and a chance to win prizes! You must be registered and attend a
rally to win.
** Carroll County rally will be held
at 12 p.m.
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| MAY IS CLEAN COMMUTE MONTH |
Visit us at one
of these great community events or Clean Car
Clinics
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 Every May the Baltimore
Metropolitan Council and our Clean Commute Partners host Clean Commute Month to
promote Clean Commuting.
What is Clean Commuting?
It's riding transit, bicycling, carpooling, walking, or teleworking.
It's anything other than driving alone in a motor vehicle. Because motor
vehicles contribute up to 30% of the emissions that dirty our air, people who
choose to clean commute are making an individual choice that helps reduce air
pollution.
For a few days in May, keep your car parked. Try another way
to get around. It's not hard! You can take transit, bicycle, or even walk. If
you do drive, share your ride with a friend or co-worker, and make sure to keep
your car in tip-top condition. You could cut your commute costs in half.
Find out more at one of these great
events!
This year's activities will include Clean Car Clinics, a
commuter appreciation day, Bike to Work Day, and tons of fun outreach events!
Here are a few events:
- May 15 - Bike to Work Day
- May 17 - Baltimore Bike Jam (Patterson Park)
- May 19 - Commuter Thank-you (Aberdeen MARC)
- May 28 - Harford County Clean Car Clinic
- June 2 - Annapolis Clean Car Clinic
- June 19 - Howard County Clean Car Clinic
- June 22 - Baltimore City Clean Car Clinic (Pimlico)
- June 24 - Anne Arundel County Clean Car Clinic
Visit us at these great events... or use the link below to get more
information about how to become a Clean Commuter.
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| CARROLL COUNTY PATHWAYS PLAN OPEN FOR
REVIEW |
60-Day
Public Review and Comment Period runs through Friday July 10
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On Monday, May 4, 2009, the Carroll County
Planning Commission approved the release of the draft Pathways Plan for a 60-day
review and comment period. This 60-day period officially began on Monday, May
11, 2009, and ends on Friday, July 10, 2009.
During that time, the Commission will be seeking public review and feedback
on the proposals. State agencies and adjoining jurisdictions also will be asked
to comment during this time.
To provide feedback, a Feedback Form is available on the Pathways web site.
A PDF version is also available for download for those who wish to mail in
comments rather than submit them online.
More information can be obtained and feedback submitted at an open house or
public meeting in May and June. Visit the project web site for a list of public
meeting dates and locations.
>>>
Share your thoughts or find out more at
CarrollPathways.org |
| PUBLIC INPUT SOUGHT ON DEVELOPMENT IN BALTIMORE
CO. |
| Master
Plan 2020 decennial review now open |
 Baltimore County Executive Jim Smith recently announced the
schedule for amending the County's guiding document that directs future
development over the next ten years and beyond.
The Master Plan embodies broad goals of protecting the environment,
preserving agriculture, and ensuring safe and attractive places to live and
work. The County Executive encouraged citizens, community groups and local
businesses to actively participate in the decennial review process.
Public meetings
The Office of Planning will host public input meetings where citizens may
present ideas and ask questions about the Rural Areas amendment. All meetings
are at 7 p.m. and doors open at 6:30 p.m. for sign-in.
- Tuesday, May 19
St. Thomas' Church, 232 St. Thomas
Lane, Owings Mills 21117
- Tuesday, May 26
Jacksonville Elementary School, 3400
Hillendale Heights Rd, Phoenix 21131
- Tuesday, June 9
Oregon Ridge Lodge, 13401 Beaver Dam
Rd, Cockeysville 21030
- Tuesday, June 16
Vincent Farm Lane Elementary School,
6019 Ebenezer Rd, White Marsh 21162
>>> Read more about Master Plan
2020 |
| SUSTAINABLE ANNAPOLIS COMMUNITY ACTION PLAN
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| Opens for review
on Tuesday, May 19 at public meeting |
|
 On May 19th, Annapolis Mayor Ellen
Moyer will publicly unveil the draft Sustainable Annapolis Community Action Plan
(CAP) for comment and review. This report collects six months worth of suggested
ideas for how Annapolis can become a more sustainable city.
The widely diverse action items range from expanding the bike lane system,
increasing the energy efficiency of buildings, to the creation of community
gardens.
This unveiling provides the public a chance to review all the
ideas that have been submitted, and gives the community a chance to discuss
strategies for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, strengthening the local
economy with green collar jobs, and saving money through energy efficiency.
The Tuesday, May 19th meeting will begin at 7 p.m. in
the City Council chambers, 160 Duke of Gloucester St, and will include light
refreshments.
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| PLANT A TREE, SAVE MONEY |
| Save on
air conditioning costs, increase property value, and save $10
|
Did you know that
shade from trees reduces the need for air-conditioning in the summer? In fact,
well-placed trees can reduce summer air-conditioning costs by 15 to 30 percent.
Trees can also increase property values by 15 percent or more!
That's
just a few reasons why the Growing Home Campaign is offering $10 coupons to area
residents wishing to plant trees in their yards.
The Growing Home Campaign is a public - private
partnership between Baltimore County, Baltimore City, Harford County, local
retail nurseries, garden centers, and homeowners to encourage planting new trees
on private residential land.
If you have been thinking about adding a tree to your yard, this may
be a good time to do it!
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| AMERICAN RECOVERY AND REINVESTMENT ACT OF 2009
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On Tuesday, February 17,
2009, President Obama signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA),
a $787 billion package of spending and tax cuts designed to stimulate the
national economy. The final bill contains approximately $49 billion in
transportation-related spending, including $27 billion for highways and $16.4
billion for public transit, including high speed rail.
On February 24, the Baltimore Regional Transportation Board approved Phase I
resulting in $70 million to highway projects for resurfacing, safety,
environmental and bridge projects as well as an estimated $126 million to
transit projects for bus vehicle purchases, MARC station improvements, Metro
system improvements and local bus facilities!
>>>
Find out more about ARRA in the Baltimore
Region |
| IN THE NEWS |
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Recent
Articles and Links of Interest
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Monica Haines Benkhedda
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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Looking out for the folks
on foot