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Home Resource Center March Newswire |
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Greenbelt Newswire
In this edition Stimulus Bill Jumpstarts New Era On February 10, President Obama declared the era of sprawl development to be over. A week later, he signed into law the $787 billion American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, a stimulus bill that begins to make real those promises. The bill made a down payment on crucial infrastructure the Bay Area needs: public transit and street improvements, affordable housing and brownfields cleanup, and natural refuges and ecosystem restoration. But the bill was held back by old habits of putting funds in familiar pots. It also lacked a policy to fix old roads before building new ones and requirements for projects to show a decrease in carbon emissions. Future legislation—including this fall's reauthorization of the nation’s transportation funding—can fill these gaps. Signing the stimulus package was only the beginning. Greenbelt Alliance will be working with state and regional agencies to ensure the bill’s promises are kept.
Bad News for Public Transit in State Budget The California legislature passed a budget deal on February 19 to close the state’s historic budget deficit. While a signed budget is good news for important programs, including many Coastal Conservancy projects whose funding had been frozen during the crisis, the outlook is dire for public transit. The budget eliminates the main state source of funding for building and running train and bus lines for up to five years. Bay Area residents will see fewer buses and trains and pay more for fares at a time when demand for affordable, convenient public transportation is reaching a peak. Greenbelt Alliance urges you to call or write your state legislators and tell them to prioritize federal transportation funds for public transit, not road expansion. The state needs to invest wisely to keep transportation options available and affordable.
Action Alert: Voice Support for a Vibrant Novato On March 5, the City of Novato in Marin is holding a community workshop to begin planning the future of North Redwood Boulevard, near its historic downtown. The workshop is part of Novato’s major update to its General Plan, which will serve as the blueprint for growth and development throughout the city for years to come. Join Greenbelt Alliance at the meeting, and voice your support for including affordable homes along a boulevard of shops, restaurants, and homes.
Events: Get Trained to Fight Climate Change Reducing driving directly lowers greenhouse gas emissions, and Greenbelt Alliance is helping people to understand the connection between driving, land use, and climate change. At training workshops in Marin and the South Bay, Policy Director Stephanie Reyes and Campaign Organizer Ellie Casson will introduce the latest tools for addressing climate change and will discuss how local residents can help shape city plans to reduce greenhouse gases.
Action Alert: Speak Up for Santa Rosa Affordable Homes The City of Santa Rosa is in the midst of its Housing Element update, a process in which cities plan for how they will provide room for homes for a growing population over the years to come. These homes are especially important to enable people like teachers, emergency responders, retail workers, and child care workers to afford to live in the community they serve. Greenbelt Alliance is working with local residents and elected officials to help provide homes for the many people who work in Santa Rosa but cannot afford to live there. Come speak up for homes for everyone.
If you are interested in learning more, contact Daisy Pistey-Lyhne, North Bay Senior Field Representative, at daisypl@greenbelt.org or (707) 591-1524.
Event: Envision Santa Clara in 2035 Join Greenbelt Alliance and the Silicon Valley Leadership Group on March 16 for a presentation on the forces that will shape Santa Clara in the years ahead, including an aging and growing population, climate change, and rising energy costs. The City of Santa Clara is in the process of updating its General Plan through 2035, the blueprint that guides growth over the long term. It defines where homes, shops, jobs, and parks will be located and how people are able to move throughout the community. Retired Santa Clara County principal planner Don Weden will talk about the major changes ahead and how to plan ahead to adapt to these changes.
Urban Outing: Tour East Bay to Visualize Walkable Antioch East Contra Costa County is the fastest-growing region in the Bay Area. In an effort to promote sustainable growth and reduce congestion, BART is extending its service 10 miles east of the existing Pittsburg-Bay Point line to Antioch. Greenbelt Alliance sees an opportunity to revitalize the neighborhood around the new eBART stop. If done well, the area can provide local jobs and homes for working families in a dynamic, walkable neighborhood. Join Greenbelt Alliance and TransForm to visit East Bay developments and gain new ideas and share visions of a better Antioch. Stops will include Dublin and Oakland.
Lunch is free for those who respond by Friday, March 20. Reply to Daniele Petrone at (415) 543-6771 x315 or cdtintern@greenbelt.org.
Volunteer of the Month: Karen Synowiec Our March volunteer of the month is outings leader Karen Synowiec. A professional geologist at Chevron Energy Technology, Karen has taught outdoor education programs for children on Mount Diablo for several years in addition to leading interpretive outings for adults.
Greenbelt Alliance in the News
Sun Mar. 8: Butano Redwood Hike (South Bay)
Become a Member or Renew Your Membership Support Greenbelt Alliance's work to protect the Bay Area's open spaces and vibrant places. Join or renew now, or join the Greenbelt Guardian monthly donor club. And don't forget to ask your employer about matching contributions!
Thank you for reading! To subscribe to the Greenbelt Alliance Newswire email list, enter your name and email address at www.greenbelt.org. To unsubscribe, simply send an unsubscribe request to unsubscribe@greenbelt.org. |
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