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NEWS FROM TALC
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Electoral victories and setbacks
Please join us for a discussion of the impact of the ballot initiatives at
TALC's November 15 Regional Meeting (see below). For now, here is a summary of
Tuesday's election results.
Victory in defeating
Prop 90. Congratulations to the broad coalition and volunteers
who helped to spread the dangerous truth about the “taxpayer trap”.
Victory in passing
Prop 1C. This important affordable housing and land use planning
measure won with a solid 57%. TALC and member organizations will be actively
involved in developing the criteria for allocating 1C funds to ensure that it
moves us toward better regional planning and supports transit-oriented
development.
Setback on Prop 1B.
TALC opposed this $19.9 billion transportation bond for raiding the General Fund
instead of relying on user fees, its heavy funding of highway and port
expansion, and its lack of connection between transportation funding and land
use. However, the bond will provide transit with a needed infusion of funds, and
the increase in STIP funding creates some opportunities to get additional
transit projects funded. We hope that this will be the last time Californians
pay for transportation improvements at the expense of critical General Fund
services like schools and health care.
Setback on Measure R.
The Sonoma and Marin commuter rail measure suffered a narrow loss at the polls.
Supporters of the measure did an excellent job in outreach and education. TALC
looks forward to participating in the next effort to secure funds for the SMART
train.
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TALC regional meeting on
housing the region - November 15
You're invited to attend TALC's November regional meeting, which will
feature a presentation by architect Philip Bona. He will discuss the use of
Community Design Charrettes for envisioning how and where housing will be built
over the coming decades and will then lead a
group discussion and take suggestions for sites that would benefit from a charrette process in 2007. The meeting will also include a debrief on the
election results for 1A, 1B, 1C, 90, and Measure R -- implications for the region
and our joint efforts: a TALC workgroup to analyze the proposed Oakland Airport
Connector; and a brainstorm on workshops for the just-selected topic of global
warming for TALC's Summit in March 2007. The regional meeting will be held on
Wednesday, November 15 from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. Dinner will be served -- with
burritos this time instead of pizza! (Optional orientation for new attendees
from 5:00 - 5:30 p.m.) Sierra Club, 85 2nd Street, San Francisco. If you have
questions about the meeting contact Marta Lindsey at
marta@transcoalition.org or 510-740-3150 x321.
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Safe Routes to Schools
program off to a great start
TALC's Safe Routes to Schools program has been
busy, getting pilot programs started at Oakland's Berkeley Maynard Academy and
Peralta Elementary. During our first event on International Walk to School Day,
the number of walkers increased by 43% and non-carpooling parent drivers
decreased by 33% at Peralta School. Both schools completed surveys seeking
parent information on the reasons for their transportation choices. Using this
information, along with walkability tours, Safe Routes will tailor strategies to
educate and encourage parents and students to increase active transportation to
and from school, while relieving car traffic through better design of the drop
off area and safer school crossings.
Learn more:
www.transcoalition.org/c/sr2s/index.html
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TEACH celebrates improvements in access to
health care
TALC recently hosted a community celebration to highlight the success of its
TEACH project. The project has been working since 2003 to improve residents'
access to health care in two low-income communities in Contra Costa County: the
Monument Corridor in Concord and Bay Point/Pittsburg. There was much to
celebrate: over $1 million in Lifeline Transportation funds in the next three
years that will make specific improvements to increase transit access to health
care, new fare structures that will greatly benefit transit-dependent families,
and Tri Delta Transit becoming the first transit agency in the nation to
designate stroller spaces aboard buses. Attended by over 70 people, the event
provided an opportunity for community residents and health and transit agency
personnel to discuss how to build on the momentum created by TEACH to improve
access to health care even further.
Learn more:
www.transcoalition.org/c/teach/teach_ccc.htm
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We have a volunteer opportunity
for you
TALC has a number of exciting volunteer
and intern opportunities for you: building support for Bus Rapid Transit,
organizing walk-to-school events, foundation research, administrative support,
and much more. We're looking for all kinds of skills: photographers, campaign
organizers, library organizers, and folks to help around the office. Check the
website to see how you can get involved or call Karla Pérez-Cordero at
510-740-3150 x319.
Learn more:
www.transcoalition.org/about/about_intern_vol.html
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We'd love your support this
holiday season
What more can you ask for during this holiday season than a great
quality-of-life and a sustainable future? By becoming an individual supporter of
TALC you can help promote a walkable, bikable region, world class transit, and
great communities. By showing elected officials our growing supporter base, and
having staff ready to take on efforts -- from local zoning battles to statewide
funding debates -- your support can truly make a difference today. Click below
to make an online donation or contact Seth Schneider at
seth@transcoalition.org or 510-740-3150 x310.
Donate now:
https://secure.groundspring.org/dn/index.php?aid=3319
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Prize donations needed
for photography contest
In about a year, TALC will celebrate its ten-year anniversary! As part of this
celebration, we will be holding a photography contest. We need prizes to inspire
great entries. Your prize donation for the Picturing the Future of the Bay Area
photography contest will not only support TALC and budding photographers, but
you will be listed as an event and contest sponsor. Examples of prizes: a cash
prize from your company, frequent flyer miles, tickets to events, free nights at
hotels, gift certificates, use of a timeshare, bike gear, or transit passes. We are
also looking for a volunteer to help make the contest a success. Interested in
donating or volunteering for the event? Contact Marta Lindsey at
marta@transcoalition.org or 510-740-3150 x321.
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NEWS FROM TALC MEMBER GROUPS
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TALC's newest member: Friends
of Livermore
TALC would like to welcome our newest member group, Friends of Livermore.
Friends of Livermore works to promote planning decisions that favor infill
development and protect open spaces.
Learn more:
www.friendsoflivermore.org
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Thank you, Margaret!
Please join us in extending our warmest appreciation to Margaret Okuzumi of
BayRail Alliance. Margaret recently stepped down from TALC's Board of Directors
after five years of service, including serving as board president for the past
three. Margaret has provided tremendous leadership on some of TALC's campaigns
for public transit, and had a major role in helping TALC create systems that
were essential for our organizational growth. Margaret's leadership will be
sorely missed. For the next year Margaret's seat will be filled by another
leading South Bay advocate for sustainable transportation, Corinne Winter,
executive director of the Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition.
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Get to know TALC's newest
Board members
Representatives from TALC's member organizations recently voted to elect those
organizations that will have seats on the Board of Directors. The four
organizations, which will serve three-year terms, are filled by: Greenbelt
Alliance (Amanda Brown-Stevens), SPUR (Sarah Karlinsky), Urban Ecology (Phil
Olmstead), and Urban Habitat (Juliet Ellis). In addition, Dwayne Marsh has
replaced Richard Raya as PolicyLink's representative on the Board.
Learn more:
www.transcoalition.org/about/board.html
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North Bay Symposium on
Smart Growth -- December 6
The Leadership Institute for Ecology and the Economy, in partnership with the
Local Government Commission, is holding its second North Bay Symposium on Smart
Growth. The symposium features speakers with expertise in smart growth
strategies and implementation, focusing on practical approaches to improving
livability in the North Bay. The event will be held on Wednesday, December 6,
from 8:30 am to 3:00 pm at the Petaluma Community Center. Details, including the
complete agenda and registration, are available by contacting the Leadership
Institute at 707-578-9133 or the website below.
Learn more and register:
www.smartgrowth.eventbrite.com
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JOB ANNOUNCEMENTS
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Urban Habitat is hiring
Urban Habitat is hiring a
Transportation and Housing Program Assistant. The Assistant will play a
supportive role in policy research, advocacy, and community outreach, working
with community stakeholders and policymakers to promote policies that advance
social equity in transportation planning and funding decisions. Urban Habitat
builds power in low-income communities and communities of color by combining
education, advocacy, research and coalition building to advance environmental,
economic and social justice in the Bay Area. The application deadline is
December 1st; to request a copy of the complete job description contact
jobs@urbanhabitat.org.
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Marin County Bicycle
Coalition is hiring
MCBC is currently hiring a full-time
Director of Planning. The Director of Planning is the "technical" person on
MCBC's staff, and has a very public and important role in communicating MCBC's
infrastructure and policy platforms. The position includes direct communication
with public works directors, elected officials, MCBC members, and the public
about bicycle needs, design issues, priorities and more. The position is open
until filled.
Learn more:
www.marinbike.org/Jobs/DirOfPlanning.shtml
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SUPPORT TALC'S WORK WITH A TAX-DEDUCTIBLE
DONATION
Use the link below or mail your check (payable to
"TALC") to the address below.
Make a secure donation to TALC through Groundspring.org:
https://secure.groundspring.org/dn/index.php?aid=3319
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