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Executive Committee meeting highlights SEMCOG's
Executive Committee met on Friday, July 23, 2004, in SEMCOG's downtown Detroit
office.
Dan Dirks, General Manager of the Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation, discussed SMART's proposed operating and capital budgets. He noted that SMART daily ridership in July increased from 28,000 to 32,000. He also noted that the Federal Transit Administration has acknowledged SMART's "Get a Job, Get a Ride!" program as an innovative way to increase ridership. Carmine Palombo, Director of SEMCOG Transportation Programs, summarized the recent SEMCOG University workshop on U.S.-Canada Border Improvement Strategies. In the short-term, we will see operational improvements including more customs stations and better access to the bridge and tunnel. In the long-term, there will be an additional crossing at a still-to-be-determined location. SEMCOG Chair Joan Flynn announced her advisory council appointments for 2004-2005; see the complete list below. Contact: Amy Malmer, SEMCOG Legislative Affairs Coordinator.
Advisory council appointments announced Advisory council chair and vice chair appointments for 2004-2005 were recently made by SEMCOG Chairperson Joan Flynn, Macomb County Commissioner:
Advisory councils, committees, and task forces play important roles at SEMCOG. They direct regional plans and policies, recommend positions on state and federal legislative and regulatory proposals, and guide SEMCOG Executive Committee and General Assembly action. Contact: Durene Brown, SEMCOG Membership Manager.
SEMCOG releases 2003 rain gauge annual report More precipitation was recorded in Southeast Michigan in 2003 than in 2002, according to the SEMCOG Rain Gauge Network 2003 Annual Report. In 2003, precipitation in SEMCOG's network ranged from a high of 38.48 inches in east-central Washtenaw County to a low of 24.17 inches in northeastern Wayne County. The region was drier in 2002, when precipitation ranged from 35.31 inches in southeast Macomb County to 18.80 inches in central Oakland County. This is in contrast to a wetter 2001, which recorded a high of 44.06 inches (Macomb County) and a low of 26.84 inches (Wayne County), and an even wetter 2000 where totals ranged from 47.40 inches (Macomb County) to 30.99 inches (Wayne County). For over 40 years, SEMCOG has maintained a Rain Gauge Network covering much of Southeast Michigan. In partnership with Wayne County, Macomb County, Livingston County, and the City of Detroit, the network covers Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, and Livingston Counties, and parts of Washtenaw County. Data are collected by independent observers from approximately 65 precipitation gauges. Selected historical data and statistics can be accessed on the Michigan State University Web site, climate.geo.msu.edu or via a link on SEMCOG's Web site, www.semcog.org. The report is available to SEMCOG members free of charge. Contact: SEMCOG Information Services.
SEMCOG Web site now features online RideShare registration Visitors to SEMCOG's Web site now have the ability find a commuter to share a ride to work using new software that allows users to run their own match at any time. The software matches commuters who are registered with SEMCOG's RideShare program. Those already registered now have the opportunity to edit their profile whenever it's necessary. New users will be asked to register for the program. Once a match is obtained, the applicant can contact the people on this list to make arrangements convenient for them. Most RideShare commuters can save more than $1,500 per year. Link to SEMCOG's Web site at www.semcog.org, then click on "new online registration" above the RideShare logo on the home page. Contact: Anita Blasius, Manager, SEMCOG Public Outreach Programs.
Imagery available on SEMCOG Web site SEMCOG has recently completed the conversion of high-resolution aerial imagery taken in Spring 2002 by the U.S. Geological Survey. The imagery was part of the 133 Critical Urban Area Flight to support homeland security efforts. Visit SEMCOG's Web site, www.semcog.org/products/aerial photos to view the area covered by the flight and details on obtaining the imagery. Contact: SEMCOG Information Services.
New SEMCOG member SEMCOG welcomes a new member — Keego Harbor (population 2,740; SEMCOG estimate). This brings current SEMCOG membership to 147. Contact: Durene Brown, SEMCOG Membership Manager.
SEMPeople Eric Coleman, Oakland County Commissioner and Chair of SEMCOG's Finance and Budget Committee, was elected Second Vice President of the National Association of Counties. Joan
Flynn, Macomb County Commissioner and SEMCOG Chairperson, was reelected
Vice Chair of the Membership Committee of the National Association of Counties.
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