"Our over-reliance on cars and $4-per-gallon gasoline has led us to dig a really deep hole for ourselves. The Purple Line is the ladder that helps us climb up out of this hole toward the light of rational land use, friendly commutes and a stable climate." Mike Tidwell, director of CCAN


BUILD IT!
Newsletter of the
Coalition to Build the Inner Purple Line
July-August 2007

In this issue:
  1. SAVE THE DATE!
  2. HOST SPONSORS NEEDED FOR SPECIAL EVENT
  3. DOG DAYS OF SUMMER REMIND US OF OUR PURPOSE
  4. BETHESDA PURPLE LINE TRANSFER PROJECT STALLS
  5. THIS NEWSLETTER

1) SAVE THE DATE -- OCTOBER 10th 2007!

The Coalition is holding a special event on October 10th to:

  • announce its new name -- Purple Line Now!
  • raise funds to promote community-friendly transit
  • show unquestionable support for building the Purple Line

    Event Details:
  • Date/Time: Wednesday, October 10, 2007 at 6:00 p.m.
  • Location: Montgomery College Takoma Park/Silver Spring
  • Food and entertainment will be provided!

    Goal of Event:
    Over the next 9 months, the Maryland General Assembly will be determining the future of transportation funding in our state. Purple Line Now! must demonstrate the strong and broad-based support for building the Purple Line light rail between Bethesda and New Carrollton. Funds raised through this event will be used to publish advocacy material, maintain an online presence and hire professional lobbying assistance.

    Cost:
    Ticket prices will be $50 per person (less than an SUV tank of gas); $25 for students, people who are low income or disabled.

    PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDARS AND STAY TUNED FOR MORE DETAILS!

    2) BECOME A HOST OF THE FALL EVENT AND GET TOP BILLING

    We would like to invite you, your company, organization, or civic group to become a host of CBIPL's October 10th event. For a contribution of $250, $500 or $1000 (or $150 if you are a citizen/civic association/small business) your name will be included on the invitation which will be distributed widely in print and by email. Your contribution will come with a handful of tickets for free admission (and of course the knowledge that you are supporting an important project at a critical time!).

    Please let us know by August 1st if you will join our host committee of this event. Email eric@potomactalent.com with your pledge, and follow up with a check made out to CBIPL and mailed to: PO Box 7074, Silver Spring, Md. 20907-7074

    Thank you for your continued support for the Purple Line!

    3) DOG DAYS OF SUMMER -- A REMINDER OF THE NEED FOR CHANGE

    Although the Washington area was spared an early summer, the heat, humidity and pollution have finally descended on our region with a vengeance. A key generator of unhealthy air and the global warming inducing carbon emissions is our fleet of private automobiles. To improve air quality and maintain a healthy living environment, regional growth must be accompanied by reduced reliance on motor vehicles.

    Another important reason to support mass transit and the Purple Line.

    4) BETHESDA PURPLE LINE TRANSFER PROJECT STALLS

    Over one year ago, more than 400 people sent letters of support to the Montgomery County Council for the creation of a new south entrance to the Bethesda Red Line Metrorail station. The entrance would improve the lives of thousands of transit riders while setting the stage for the direct connection between the Red and Purple Lines when the Purple Line is constructed.

    The County originally hoped that WMATA would design the project, but WMATA's recent downsizing has limited their capability to do the work. Now the County is approaching the Maryland Transit Administration to do the design work.

    You can encourage progress on this project by emailing County Executive Ike Leggett, with a copy to Council President Marilyn Praisner, alerting them that you support the completion of this project as soon as possible.
  • ike.leggett@montgomerycountymd.gov
  • councilmember.praisner@montgomerycountymd.gov

    5) THIS NEWSLETTER

    This newsletter is produced by volunteer supporters of the Coalition to Build the Inner Purple Line (CBIPL) which was formed in January, 2003 by representatives of business, labor, environmental and community organizations to promote a light rail transit line connecting Bethesda, Silver Spring, Long Branch, Takoma/ Langley Crossroads, College Park and the University of Maryland, Riverdale Park and New Carrollton. The Coalition supports completion of the hiker-biker trail between Bethesda and Silver Spring, as well as pedestrian enhancements as part of the transit project elsewhere along the alignment.
    1. Corrections and comments may be sent to the editor, Colleen Mitchell at: colleenmitch@gmail.com.
    2. Opinions expressed herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect specific positions of the CBIPL.
    3. If you do not wish to receive the newsletter, please send a note to: unsubscribe with "remove" in the subject line.
    4. If you want to add someone's name to the mailing list, you may now do so by clicking here: subscribe.
    		•


    68,000 riders each weekday is huge! Counting down to completion of Purple Line DEIS; Latest news: Latest News; How you can help



    See: Calendar of Events.

    We need you to help keep the Purple Line a state and county priority. Write a letter, make a call or send an e-mail in support of the Purple Line today. See: Contact List