| | | 
Serving Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Harford, and Howard Counties and the Cities of Annapolis and Baltimore. | | | | | | | | Thank you for subscribing to B'More Involved! B'More Involved is designed to provide you with helpful information on transportation planning, opportunities for public involvement, and environmental justice. This important information, e-mailed out on a regular basis and now posted on Facebook and Twitter, 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: -
Drive Like Their Life Depends On It! Be Street Smart. - Share Your Ideas for Public Transportation Plan by August 5
-
Imagine 2060 Photo Contest; Public Input Report -
Master Plan 2020: Public Comment Sought -
BRTB Seeks Members For Citizens Advisory Committee -
B'more Involved: Here's How! -
| | Stay up-to-date with current news and events by joining B'more Involved on Facebook and Twitter! |
| DRIVE LIKE THEIR LIFE DEPENDS ON IT! BE STREET SMART | | | In the three-year period between 2006 and 2008, there were 7,135 crashes involving bicycles and pedestrians in the Baltimore region, resulting in 157 deaths. That represents 39% percent of all bike/pedestrian crashes and fatalities in the entire state of Maryland. In an effort to reduce highway carnage, human suffering and economic loss in the region, the Baltimore Regional Transportation Board (BRTB) endorsed the Street Smart pedestrian and bicycle safety campaign at its meeting this week. "Street Smart reminds everyone who uses our streets and roads - drivers, pedestrians and cyclists alike - that they need to know and practice the rules of the road," said Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake.  Be Street Smart! -
Pedestrians: Cross at corners or designated cross walks and obey traffic signals. -
Cyclists: Remember you are operating vehicles and are subject to stop signs, traffic signals and one-way streets, just as drivers are. -
Drivers: Pedestrians have the right of way at stop signs; when passing a bicycle, you are required to allow a three-foot buffer. -
Everyone: Exercise common sense and common courtesy.
You can help save a life! Spread the word about the importance of being Street Smart! Visit the online resource center for downloadable signs, banners, images, and more. Then, share the Street Smart message with your neighbors and coworkers, post a message on your blog, or share our page on Facebook or Twitter. And most importantly, the next time you are out and about, remember to be Street Smart! |
| | SHARE YOUR IDEAS FOR PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION BY AUGUST 3 | | Help improve transportation for people with disabilities, limited incomes, and seniors |  The Baltimore Regional Transportation Board (BRTB), in cooperation with the Maryland Transit Administration (MTA), are requesting public input to determine "gaps" in transit services for people with disabilities, low or limited incomes, and senior citizens in the Baltimore region. Your input is important and will be used to update the 2007 Coordinated Public Transit - Human Services Transportation Plan. Please provide input by Thursday, August 5. | |
| IMAGINE 2060 PHOTO CONTEST; PUBLIC INPUT REPORT | | 1st phase of public input now available; residents asked to participate in photo contest |  The Baltimore Regional Transportation Board would like to thank the hundreds of people who completed the online survey or attended a Workshop or Open House earlier this year. Results of these events are now available online. Imagine 2060 is an initiative sponsored by the Baltimore Regional Transportation Board and the Baltimore Metropolitan Council. Through imagine 2060, residents and organizations throughout the Baltimore region have shared their ideas on the future of transportation in the region. A key focus of imagine 2060 is to improve accessibility for all and promote livable and sustainable communities throughout the metropolitan area. >> Download the public input report Imagine the Region Photo Contest  The BRTB would like to encourage area residents to pull out their cameras and capture images of what they value about our region. Photo entries will be accepted during the months of August and September 2010 in the following categories:
-
Transportation (pedestrians, bikes, bus, cars, boats, trains, planes, etc.) -
Community (walkable & vibrant places; neighborhoods, town centers, rural/small towns, people, places, art, culture, food) -
Natural Environment (Bay, lakes, rivers, preserves, parks, sky, wildlife) -
Prosperity (plazas, port, buildings, retail, employment centers, small businesses, neighborhoods, boulevards, agriculture)
In addition to prizes (to be determined), submissions to the imagine 2060 photo contest may be showcased on the imagine 2060 web site and in BRTB publications. >> Find out how to submit a photo |
| MASTER PLAN 2020: PUBLIC COMMENT SOUGHT | | Baltimore County Plan Looks to the Future. Includes New Water Resources Element |  Earlier this week, Baltimore County Executive Jim Smith announced the schedule for adopting the County's guiding document that directs future development over the next ten years and beyond. The goals of the Master Plan are protecting the environment, preserving agriculture, and ensuring safe and attractive places to live and work. It includes analysis of transportation facilities, infrastructure, growth areas, housing, community design, economic development and resource conservation. In Master Plan 2020, a "water resources element" will be added to focus on protection of all water resources in the County. This includes the impact of existing and future development on public drinking water supplies, well water, stormwater management, sewer outfalls and septic discharges. Public review and comment Drafts of Master Plan 2020 are expected to be released in early to mid-August. Public hearings are scheduled before the Planning Board on Thursday, September 2 and then at the County Council on Monday, October 18. The Office of Planning invites the public to provide comments on all aspects of Master Plan 2020. People who are interested may contact: Baltimore County Office of Planning 105 W. Chesapeake Ave., Suite 101, Towson, MD 21286 Attn: Bruce Seeley, Master Plan Coordinator
| |
| BRTB SEEKS MEMBERS FOR CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMITTEES | | Share Your Ideas. Help Others Be Heard. Make A Difference.  The Baltimore Regional Transportation Board is currently seeking members for their Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC).
The CAC is a diverse group of citizens, representatives of community organizations, and industry professionals that promote public engagement and provide independent, region-oriented advice regarding regional transportation planning and related issues. Why serve on the CAC? Transportation in our region should reflect how transportation impacts you, your neighbor, and everyone else in the region. This can only be done if you get involved, learn how transportation planning works and voice your opinion. Volunteering to serve on the CAC is a great way to directly provide input to decision makers. Additional benefits include: -
Helping your community or your organization get their voice heard -
Getting information and discuss important planning issues directly with staff and BRTB members -
Sharing new ideas or provide input that can impact regional planning
New members will be appointed for 3-year terms, starting in January 2011. Shorter terms may also be available. Meetings of the CAC are generally held on the 1st Wednesday of the month at 5:30 p.m. in Baltimore City. In addition, the CAC has 3 standing subcommittees, which meet at various locations or by telephone/e-mail. The total volunteer commitment is approximately 2-5 hours per month. Applications will be accepted until September 10, 2010. |
| B'MORE INVOLVED: HERE'S HOW! | | Check out these great ways to B'more Involved this summer! |  Join the online dialogue about improving transit for people with disabilities - Through August 6
In honor of the 20th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Easter Seals Project Action is hosting a nationwide online dialogue about making transit fully accessible. Do you have a comment or recommendation on how current economic conditions are affecting paratransit service? How is your community coordinating transportation to meet service needs? Share your thoughts and vote for ideas you like!
www.easterseals.com/dialogue "Most Beautiful People" Volunteer Awards - Nominations welcome August 6 Nominations are now being accepted for Harford County's 24th Annual Most Beautiful People volunteer awards. These "unsung heroes" selflessly assist those around them. These "beautiful people" volunteer above and beyond their paid jobs, donating their time and talent to make a difference in Harford County. If you know someone who continuously contributes their time and talent to enhance the quality of life and community spirit in Harford County, send in a nomination form so they can be honored at the Harford's Most Beautiful People awards presentation. Nomination forms are available online using the link below, at all Harford County Libraries and Senior Centers, or by calling Jen Davis of the Department of Community Services' at 410-638-3389. www.harfordcountymd.gov/awards/harfordsmostbeautiful 
Volunteers Needed: Emergency Preparedness - August 11
Volunteer to help with an emergency operations exercise for Hurricane Season on Wednesday, August 11. There is a 1/2 day commitment required (approximately 5 hours). Water and snacks will be provided. For more details please contact: Angela Bernstein, Governor's Office of Community Initiatives, 410-926-8956 or abernstein@goci.state.md.us. The Great Maryland Lawn Mower Exchange Event - Saturday, August 14  Help improve our region's air quality and take advantage of deep discounts off the purchase of a new cordless electric mower!
To take advantage of big savings, turn in your working gas-powered lawn mower at the Great Maryland Lawn Mower Exchange Event on Saturday, August 14th at Camden Yards Sports Complex in Baltimore, MD from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. and get savings of up to 65% off Neuton's high-end CE 5 or CE 6 Battery-Powered Mowers. This one-day event is sponsored by the Maryland Department of the Environment and Clean Air Partners. Only Maryland residents are eligible to participate. Pre-Register for the Great Maryland Lawn Mower Exchange Program at www.neutonpower.com/mdexchange MTA Station Area Advisory Committees - Nominations Due August 25  The MD Transit Administration (MTA) is seeking members to serve on its new Station Area Advisory Committees, or SAACs. These committees will decide station locations, choose designs that reflect each station's unique character, ensure that stations support community plans and visions, address new traffic patterns, and name station stops.
SAAC members will also work to make sure that people can easily bike and walk to stations and feel safe at night. Committees will begin Fall 2010 and will meet every 4 to 6 weeks for approximately 15 months. Nominations will be accepted until August 25.
http://www.baltimoreredline.com/station-area-advisory-committees Activate Your Inner Citizen University - Saturday, September 11 Hold the date for Citizens Planning and Housing Association's next Activate Your Inner Citizen event! Workshops will include: Effective Outreach, Grant Writing, Youth Leadership and more! The event will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Morgan State University. Registration is free; breakfast and lunch will be provided for registrants. More details to come. For more information, call 410.539.1369 ext. 102 or e-mail info@cphabaltimore.org. |
| IN THE NEWS | | Recent Articles, Events, and Links of Interest | | |
|  | Monica Haines Benkhedda
Public Involvement Coordinator
410-732-0500 x1047 mhaines@baltometro.org | | |   
|
|
| | | | |
