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"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 |  |
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Newsletter of the Coalition to Build the Inner Purple Line May 28, 2007 In this issue:
1) GLENDENING HONORED BY COALITION: UNDERLINES NEED FOR GREATER COMMITMENT TO SMART GROWTH TO COMBAT GLOBAL WARMING Former Governor Parris Glendening joined the Coalition Board and supporters this month to talk about the critical importance of smart growth. Governor Glendening made positive comments about Governor O’Malley’s commitment to the Purple Line and discussed the need for a dramatic increase in transit funding nationwide to reduce CO2 emissions. The Coalition commended the former governor for his 2001 launching of an Environmental Impact Statement for the Purple Line. 2) MONTGOMERY COUNTY INITIATES MASTER PLAN AMENDMENT FOR PURPLE LINE On May 17th CBIPL President Harry Sanders testified in support of the latest Montgomery County initiative to move the Purple Line forward. The County will embark on the process of amending the Master Plan for Transportation to include the most current Purple Line plans. The Bethesda to Silver Spring segment of the Purple Line is in the current Master Plan, but needs updating to reflect the latest planning for the light rail transit line and Capital Crescent Trail. The Silver Spring to Takoma Langley Crossroads segment of the Purple Line will be added to the Master Plan amendment. The work will be coordinated with the main MTA Purple Line study. Mr. Sanders’ testimony supported the community outreach strategies outlined in the plan. A Master Plan Advisory Group will be formed as the next step in this process. 3) STUDENTS DEMAND PURPLE LINE FOR UMD WHICH CONFIRMS CAMPUS COMMITMENT TO PROJECT In April of this year, eight student leaders, including current and incoming Presidents of the Graduate Student and Undergraduate student governments, sent a letter to University of Maryland President, C.D. Mote Jr., expressing their concern about the University’s purported cooling of support for the Purple Line. Planning is underway for a major revitalization of east campus, and the students emphasized the need for the Purple Line to provide direct service to the project as well as to the center of campus. In Dr. Mote’s response, he affirmed the university’s support. Dr. Mote has requested an MTA briefing on the project. For more see: Rethinkcollegepark.net 4) NEWS FROM THE COALITION The Coalition welcomed four new members of its Board of Directors at the May meeting: + William Goddard, III, Vice President of the Lanham-based Michael Company. Goddard’s wealth of experience includes a stint as Chief of State for the Secretary of the Department of Transportation under the Glendening administration. + Craig Simpson, a longtime labor activist who has worked for the ATU as well as the AFL-CIO, Metro DC Council. + Nancy Soreng, who has served with distinction as the President of the Montgomery County League of Women Voters for the past four years. Nancy lives in Bethesda, Md. + Reuben Snipper, a member of the Takoma Park City Council, and resident of Takoma Park for more than two decades. Three ex-officio Board members were also designated to help CBIPL work more effectively with our supportive elected officials: Eric Olson, Prince George’s County Council, George Leventhal, Montgomery County Council, and Tom Hucker, Delegate from District 20. Yarrow Civic Association joins the Coalition – We are pleased to announce yet another addition to our ranks from the College Park area. The Yarrow Civic Association is one of the eight civic associations located in the City of College Park. The City has been on record in support of the Purple Line for years. Interest among citizens has risen of late as the MTA Planners have stepped up their efforts, and in view of the major new development proposed for East Campus by the University of Maryland. 5) SHORT RIDES Montreal shows the way for North America May 17, 2007 – Montreal’s Mayor, Gerald Tremblay, unveiled an $8-billion, 20 year public transit plan which includes a streetcar network partially funded by bridge and highway tolls. At a news conference announcing the plan, the Mayor stressed its focus on sustainable development. He said that in view of climate change, the city must change its ways and encourage the use of public transit. Sacramento to compliment LRT system with street cars Sacramento is planning a $50 million street car line that the city hopes to construct with local funds within five years. The city is also planning to expand its LRT system, going through the same lengthy EIS process as the Purple Line. The city is following in the steps of Portland which has both a street car system and light rail in its transit mix. 6) BECOME A FRIEND OF THE PURPLE LINE In April, the Town of Chevy Chase voted to commit $250,000 in tax revenues to oppose the Purple Line! While we do not expect to match such a commitment, we need your help to argue for the Purple Line to improve transportation and reduce congestion in our region. The funds raised will be used for the advocacy work required to move the Purple Line project forward. Please help by becoming a friend of the Purple Line and making whatever donation will fit your budget. Click Here to Help 7) 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 business, labor, environmental and community organizations to promote the 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.
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68,000 riders each weekday is huge! Counting down to completion of Purple Line DEIS; Latest news: Latest News; How you can help 
See: 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 |
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