Call to Action! my comments about budget cuts...

Tue Nov 11 10:52:44 CST 2008

    budget...
Comments:    It's dissappointing to see that some of the LARGEST 
cuts(in both % and $$)

to the budget are being shouldered at the expense of our youth and the

young at heart.

Specified by Activity
Youth Outreach and

Education/Community Education $225,889 -$48,634 -21.5% -0.8 Service

Reduction

Sidewalk, Curb & Gutter Maintenance $944,712 -$209,609

-22.2% reduced services

For these two area's to be hit so hard

while...

Construction Management $335,608 -$700 -0.2% efficiency

measures

Design Management $728,372 -$25,000 -3.4% efficiency

measures

By giving our young citizens positive outletes such asYouth

services, it enhances the lives of all in our community. Maintenance of

our pedestrian/cycling infrastructure not only reduces transportation

pressures, but affords all of us a healthier approach to our day to day

lives.

How 'bout a little less "service reduction" and a lot

LESS "MANAGEMENT" (??)

Change is now...

Stephen R.

Murphy...

stephenmurphyclu at aol.com

Stephen R. Murphy
6308 Tenth Street, Alexandria VA 22307
stephenmurphyclu at aol.com
Phone:  303.478.2462 or 800.498.2462      
Fax: 201.661.2896

-----Original Message-----
From: Matt Gillman <matt at seatryst.com>
To: bsc at bicycle.alexandria.va.us
Sent: Tue, 11 Nov 2008 7:00 am
Subject: Call to Action!  Stop Budget Cuts for Bikes and Pedestrian 
Projects

Hi
everyone,

I just wanted to
give everyone a heads up.  The City of Alexandria is looking for ways 
to
cut back in the Capital Improvement Plan.  We need to let them know 
that
capital improvements for bikes and pedestrians are important and should 
not
be cut back.  It is really easy to give this feedback.  Just go
to:

http://alexandriava.gov/budget/info/default.aspx?id=17142

and click on Submit
Comments.

It will take you
about 5 minutes to help protect and expand projects for bikes and
pedestrians!

Here is what I
wrote:

I just wanted to
make sure that Capital funding for Bicycle and Pedestrian improvements 
continues
at the current or higher levels.  

For years we have neglected the
Bike and Pedestrian infrastructure and funded transportation projects 
for cars.
 The Bike and Pedestrian projects need our support in order to promote
alternatives to individuals in automobiles.  Our kids need healthy safe
routes to school and our citizens need more safe alternatives to
cars.

I would also point out that Alexandria has been very good at
getting matching funding from the state and federal governments for 
Bike and
Pedestrian options.  The city of Alexandria gets about $8 in matching 
funds
for every dollar spent.

We really need to think long term here.
 For years our society has subidized automobiles over other 
transportation
options.  Now is NOT the time to cut back on the Bike and Pedestrian
options.

Thank you for listening,

Matt Gillman _______________________________________________
BSC mailing list
BSC at Bicycle.Alexandria.VA.US
http://Bicycle.Alexandria.VA.US/mailman/listinfo/bsc