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General Assembly meets on June 23 The General Assembly (GA) of SEMCOG will meet on Thursday, June 23, 2005, at the VisTaTech Center of Schoolcraft College (18600 Haggerty Road, Livonia, MI), beginning at 4:30 p.m. The General Assembly will hear a report from the Transit Impediments Committee. This committee is the result of a resolution introduced at the General Assembly last November by Detroit City Council President Maryann Mahaffey, directing SEMCOG to identify and address the impediments to mass transit in Southeast Michigan. In addition, a new water quality "step" on choosing earth friendly landscaping will be introduced. SEMCOG will present its Regional Ambassador Awards, elect officers and delegates-at-large for 2005-2006, and review 2004-2005 accomplishments. Bloc Caucuses will meet prior to the GA, beginning at 3:45 p.m., to elect the important positions of Bloc Chairs and Vice Chairs, and members of the Regional Clearinghouse Review Committee and the Transportation Improvement Program Development Committee. Contact: Amy Malmer, SEMCOG Legislative Affairs Coordinator.
Freeway Courtesy Patrol statistics released Southeast Michigan roads were a little safer in 2004, thanks to the Michigan Department of Transportation's Freeway Courtesy Patrol. With 34 vehicles patrolling 12 Metro Detroit freeways, Freeway Courtesy Patrol drivers helped 28,051stranded motorists in 2004. Sixty-seven percent of the Freeway Courtesy Patrol's 41,900 stops on Metro Detroit freeways were to assist stranded motorists. Of the 28,051 stops to assist stranded motorists, 9,464 were to change flat tires; 9,153 were to assist in mechanical failure; 4,002 were for no gas; and 2,022 were to assist in accidents. In addition, 12,488 stops were made to attend to unoccupied vehicles and 1,361 were to move debris off the roadway. On average, it took Freeway Courtesy Patrol drivers less than 15 minutes to clear an incident. In 2004, the Freeway Courtesy Patrol saved an estimated 9.5 million hours of delay on freeways in the coverage area. Based on the hours of delay reduced, there were also significant reductions in air pollution, benefiting everyone in Southeast Michigan. Based on travel-time savings for motorists, a cost-benefit analysis of the Freeway Courtesy Patrol in 2004 indicated that for every dollar spent on the program, a $15.20 benefit was realized (up from $14.40 in 2003). Since the program's inception in 1994, Freeway Courtesy Patrol operators have assisted 104,026 stranded motorists; made 57,949 unoccupied vehicle stops; and stopped to clear debris 5,287 times. Copies of the report released by SEMCOG, MDOT Freeway Courtesy Patrol in Southeast Michigan: 2004 Evaluation Report, are available from SEMCOG Information Services or can be downloaded from SEMCOG's Web site — www.semcog.org. Contact: SEMCOG Information Services.
Update: Federal transportation bill closer to reauthorization; your help needed Since October 2003, when the six-year Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21) expired, the bill has been extended several times while Congress worked to enact a new bill. Progress has been made. The House of Representatives and the Senate have both passed versions of a reauthorization bill. A conference committee has been formed to work out the differences between the two bills. The naming of conferees is a signal that both bodies are serious about concluding a bill before July 1, when the current extension expires. The following congressmen from Michigan sit on the conference committee — John Conyers (D-14th District); John Dingell (D-15th District); Vern Ehlers (R-3rd District); and Peter Hoekstra (R-2nd District). Neither Michigan senator is a senate conferee. SEMCOG members are urged to contact one of the four congressmen listed above. Let them know how important it is to pass a new transportation bill as soon as possible at the highest funding level possible. Once a new bill is authorized, SEMCOG will present the details of the bill and its implications to our members. Contact: Carmine Palombo, SEMCOG Director of Transportation Programs.
Update on CDBG proposal; your help still needed Since the proposal to eliminate the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program was introduced in the FY 2006 Executive Budget on February 7, 2005, local governments, community development organizations, and many diverse interest groups have contacted their representatives in Congress to indicate their support for the CDBG program and opposition to its elimination. Largely as a result of this, the Congressional Budget Committee approved additional funds to allow full funding of the CDBG program at FY 2005 levels. Since then, the issue has been referred to the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Treasury, and Housing and Urban Development, chaired by Congressman Joseph Knollenberg of Oakland County. The committee is expected to vote on funding for all the agencies under its jurisdiction on June 15. It is anticipated that this issue will then be taken up by the full Appropriations Committee and the House of Representatives before the end of the month. SEMCOG members are encouraged to contact their representative in Congress (especially Congressman Knollenberg and Congresswoman Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick) to reiterate their support for the program, preferably before June 15. Contact: Naheed Huq, SEMCOG Senior Planner, Community and Economic Development.
SEMCOG displays featured in many member communities; reserve yours today Several SEMCOG members have recently hosted displays featuring information on the "Ours to Protect" water quality public education campaign, the Ozone Action program, the Transportation Improvement Program, and RideShare. Thanks to the following members who have hosted displays thus far this year — Bedford Township, Canton Township, Detroit, Farmington, Fraser, Hamburg Township, Hartland Township, Holly, Livingston County, Livonia, Lyon Township, Macomb County, Monroe (City), Novi, Northville (City), Northville Township, Oakland County, Oxford Township, Petersburg, Plymouth, St. Clair Shores, St. Clair County, Salem Township, South Lyon, Southfield, Washtenaw County, Wayne (City), and Wayne County. The displays are available in various sizes and are ideal for city halls, libraries, and other public buildings. Each is accompanied by take-with tip cards and other helpful information on how people can become involved in improving their environment and in planning processes that affect them and their communities. Displays can be viewed at www.semcog.org. To reserve a display, contact SEMCOG's Public Outreach Department.
New SEMCOG member SEMCOG welcomes new member Fraser, located in southeastern Macomb County (population 15,066, SEMCOG May 2005 estimate). SEMCOG membership now totals 148. Contact: Durene Brown, SEMCOG Membership Manager.
SEMPeople Nancy Darga, member of the Northville Township Parks and Recreation Commission, received the John B. Swainson Award, presented by the Michigan Historical Commission to state, county, or municipal employees who have contributed to the preservation of Michigan history even though such activities are not part of their primary job responsibility.
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