-- FYA -- The smart growth law has standards for pedestrian friendly and bicycling friendly development in communities. Maybe that's why the out-of-towners want it repealed? (They must have been listening to the Clear Channel radio stations of late.)
If you miss the hearing, Steve offers additional follow-up suggestions at the end of his message. --------- Forwarded message ---------- Now is the Time to Speak Out in Support of Smart Growth Planning! Tell the Legislature and the Governor You Oppose Ab-435--the Smart Growth Repeal Bill Please help speak up for the value of planned growth in our communities. Date: Oct. 6, 2003 To: 1000 Friends of Wisconsin Email Network From: Steve Hiniker, Executive Director and Lisa MacKinnon, Policy Director Re: Smart Growth Repeal Hearing This Thursday State Rep. Mary Williams (R-Medford) is chief sponsor of AB 435, to repeal Wisconsin's Smart Growth Comprehensive Planning Law. The bill is receiving a public hearing before the Assembly Rural Affairs Committee at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 9, in Room 412 East of the Capitol. The text of the bill is at: http://www.legis.state.wi.us/2003/data/AB435hst.html Supporters of the repeal say they are hoping to bring busloads of people to the hearing. Let's not allow a busload of anti-planning folks to roll back the clock on fiscally responsible, locally driven comprehensive planning efforts across the state!! It's important to note that about 700 communities across the state (out of roughly 1,900) have already developed or are in the process of developing their comprehensive plans under the Smart Growth law. And over 500 state planning grants have already been awarded to communities for assistance with comprehensive planning! Several legislators have said they would like to see Smart Growth scrapped entirely or amended to clarify and simplify the law. We think repealing the law is an unacceptable alternative when smart growth supporters are currently working with legislators to respond to criticisms of the law by clarifying and simplifying it so that communities--particularly smaller rural communities-- can move forward with their planning. Tell the Committee: Let's not throw the baby out with the bath water! There are several things you can do to oppose AB 435 and support the continued implementation of sound, locally driven planning in Wisconsin: Attend the 10:00 a.m. hearing this Thursday and testify against AB-435. There should be a pretty large crowd; if you show up early the chances are better that you'll get to speak early. When you arrive at the hearing room (412 East) ask the attendant for a speaking slip to fill out with your name and your position on the bill. It's also a good idea to bring written testimony to distribute to the committee members in case you are not able to stay long enough to speak. The main criticisms of the smart growth law center on local control, private property rights and the expense of planning: Any testimony that works to dispel these criticisms would be instructive. For instance, some communities have complained that planning consultants are too expensive for a small community. Did your community plan in a way that was cost effective? How? The other answer to this criticism is that we can take a short- term view or a long-term view: planning may cost some money but not planning (and the sprawl that results from not planning) is very costly, as well. Are there private property owners who saw the benefits of planning (to their land, their property values, etc) once they got involved in the process? If you cannot attend the hearing, submit written testimony or call committee members' offices to express your opinion on AB 435 The Assembly Rural Affairs Committee Members and their contact information: Representatives Hahn, chairperson: 608/ 266-3404, email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Mary Williams, vice chairperson: 608/ 266-7506, email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Johnsrud:608/ 266-3534, email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Freese: 608/ 266-7502, email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Olsen: 608/ 266-8077, email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Weber: 608 /266-2418, email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Plouff: 608/ 266-7683, email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Pope-Roberts: 608/ 266-3520, email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Ziegelbauer: 608/ 266-0315, email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Molepske: 608/ 267-9649, email: Rep. [EMAIL PROTECTED] Governor Doyle also needs to hear why the Smart Growth law has support across the state and why a repeal of the law is a very bad idea. The Governor's contact information is: 608/ 266-1212, email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Write a letter to the editor of your local paper today. Your voice will make a difference! --------------- This message came to me via the River Alliance.. Mike ________________________________________________________________ The best thing to hit the internet in years - Juno SpeedBand! Surf the web up to FIVE TIMES FASTER! Only $14.95/ month - visit www.juno.com to sign up today! _______________________________________________ Bikies mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.danenet.org/mailman/listinfo/bikies
