Just a comment. It is completely legal to use Transportation Enhancements for
landscaping. It is one of the categories funded by TE. Bicycle Federation has
never publically opposed using TE for landscaping.
The issue that BFW was trying to bring attention to was that most other states
use more Transportation Enhancements on LOCAL projects, not state projects.
And that if there is to be a bike lane or paved shoulder or pedestrian crossing
or what have you built as part of a state highway project, the funding for
those portions of the project should come out of the same pot of money that
funds the "road"...because those things are an integral part of a "complete
street"...they are not "an extra".
I just want to clarify as much as possible. It is perfectly reasonable for
people to not want transportation enhancements to be spent on landscaping...so
to say that you don't agree with that priority is fine...but to say that
spending the money in that way is somehow not on the up and up is incorrect.
The DOT's answer to public input on the issue has mostly been that we are wrong
about the facts...so trying to get the facts right is important.
-Dar
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Today's Topics:
1. New BTA website design (George Perkins)
2. RE: Please do this now: Tell Governor Doyle to spend 10%
ofpotential oil co. tax on bicycling. (George J. Perkins)
3. RE: Money from Heaven (George J. Perkins)
4. [Fwd: [Bikies] Money from Heaven] (Eric Westhagen)
5. apology (George J. Perkins)
6. Answer to George J. Perkins of DCBTA (Eric Westhagen)
7. Re: apology (Darryl Jordan)
8. RE: BTA of Dane Country (Matt Logan)
From: George Perkins <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: [Bikies] New BTA website design
Date: Wed, 14 Feb 2007 16:19:51 -0800 (PST)
To: Dane County Bicycle Transportation Alliance <[email protected]>
Congratulations on BTA for the updated website.
http://www.danenet.org/bcp/bta/index.php
Much easier on the eye and a bit friendlier to navigate. I'm looking forward to
further enhancements.
From: "George J. Perkins" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: RE: [Bikies] Please do this now: Tell Governor Doyle to spend 10%
ofpotential oil co. tax on bicycling.
CC:
Date: Wed, 14 Feb 2007 21:32:09 -0600
To: "'Matt Logan'" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>,
<[email protected]>
Thanks, Matt. Great idea! Here's my letter to the governor.
--------------------------
Your email, below, has been received and will be reviewed shortly.
E-Mail: geoperkins @yahoo.com
Date Sent: 2/14/2007 9:28:54 PM
Subject: Earmark 10% of Oil Money for Enhancements
Governor Doyle,
I read the news accounts of your plan to tax the oil companies and use the
money to pay for more highways. On one hand, taxing carbon greenhouse gas
sources is a good idea. On the other hand, using that money to promote more
greenhouse gas pollution is a bad idea.
The Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin blew the lid of the secret Wisconsin
Department of Transportation misappropriation of Transportation Enhancements
(pedestrian, bicycle, and other non-motor vehicle uses for Federal matching
funds). To the tune of millions of Federal dollars lost because the Republican
Senate and House cut the WiDoT projects and the WiDoT in turn used TE funds for
such things as highway landscaping.
The BFW has been advocating to get TE funding increased by something on the
order of $10 million. Well, this oil company profit tax is supposed to bring in
$150 million. It would be only fair to earmark 10% of that amount for
additional funding for alternatives to more motor vehicle projects that benefit
the environment and society. For example, to restore the lost bicycling
infrastructure funding squandered by the WiDoT. There are literally hundreds of
local bicycle and pedestrian projects that are on hold or cancelled at the
local level for lack of matching funds.
Governor, do the right thing.
Thank you, and I would appreciate hearing back from you on this matter.
-----Original Message-----
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf
Of Matt Logan
Sent: Tuesday, February 13, 2007 9:39 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: [Bikies] Please do this now: Tell Governor Doyle to spend 10%
ofpotential oil co. tax on bicycling.
I have been hearing about this on WPR this weekend, but I cant find it
online. The story is this: Governor Doyle wants to tax the oil
companies and use the money to pay for more roads. He is set to
formally announce his plan in a speech this week.
Remember, it was impossible for the BFW to get TE funding increased by
something on the order of $10mil. Well, this oil co. tax is supposed to
bring in $150mil. I say it would be only fair to earmark 10% of that
amount for additional funding for bicycling infrastructure. Please
contact the Governor's office today and tell him how you want that money
to be spent.
How to contact the Governor:
Madison Office
P.O. Box 7863
Madison, WI 53707
608-266-1212
Online:
http://www.wisgov.state.wi.us/contact.asp?locid=19
From: "George J. Perkins" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: RE: [Bikies] Money from Heaven
CC:
Date: Wed, 14 Feb 2007 21:56:37 -0600
To: "'Eric Westhagen'" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>,
"Dane County Bicycle Transportation Alliance" <[email protected]>
I don't even want to honor this with a response. Sigh. If you are open to
learning about transportation issues please shut up until you've absorbed at
least something factual in which to have an opinion. And do a little
introspection, it helps the soul.
You do yourself no favors by posting incoherent and ignorant diatribes like
this.
-----Original Message-----
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf
Of Eric Westhagen
Sent: Tuesday, February 13, 2007 1:50 PM
To: BikiesSubmissions
Subject: [Bikies] Money from Heaven
Dear Group:
I read the suggestion that Gov. Doyle be contacted demanding ten percent of
some "money from heaven." That is some type of oil tax which I gather is
not intended to impact oil companies and their activities. But that is
another subject. Assuming the Gov. is just getting the Wisconsin "fair
share" of some holdup, just what is the "infrastructure for bicycles"
maintained by the State and not local governments? Just which segment of
bicycling should this largess be distributed over? As for
government--maybe there should be a "twenty-dollar" bike license for "State
bicycle infrastructure" for those who favor "State involvements" in our
lives and recreations? Maybe such a license plate could come with a "big
brother chip" to protect children as well as with the other modern
governmental snooping and protection, if-----say the license were then
jacked to thirty dollars per bicycle. -------See what I mean, all of you
who want Gov. Doyle's help for your bicycle pleasure!
Eric Westhagen
_______________________________________________
Bikies mailing list
[email protected]
http://www.danenet.org/mailman/listinfo/bikies
From: Eric Westhagen <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: [Fwd: [Bikies] Money from Heaven]
Date: Wed, 14 Feb 2007 22:46:19 -0600
To: BikiesSubmissions <[email protected]>
Dear Submissions:
Another direct answer which should be posted for the benefit of the entire
group.
_______________________
From: "George J. Perkins" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: "'Eric Westhagen'" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>,
"Dane County Bicycle Transportation Alliance" <[email protected]>
Subject: RE: [Bikies] Money from Heaven
Date: Wed, 14 Feb 2007 21:56:37 -0600
I don't even want to honor this with a response. Sigh. If you are open to
learning about transportation issues please shut up until you've absorbed at
least something factual in which to have an opinion. And do a little
introspection, it helps the soul.
You do yourself no favors by posting incoherent and ignorant diatribes like
this.
-----Original Message-----
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf
Of Eric Westhagen
Sent: Tuesday, February 13, 2007 1:50 PM
To: BikiesSubmissions
Subject: [Bikies] Money from Heaven
Dear Group:
I read the suggestion that Gov. Doyle be contacted demanding ten percent of
some "money from heaven." That is some type of oil tax which I gather is
not intended to impact oil companies and their activities. But that is
another subject. Assuming the Gov. is just getting the Wisconsin "fair
share" of some holdup, just what is the "infrastructure for bicycles"
maintained by the State and not local governments? Just which segment of
bicycling should this largess be distributed over? As for
government--maybe there should be a "twenty-dollar" bike license for "State
bicycle infrastructure" for those who favor "State involvements" in our
lives and recreations? Maybe such a license plate could come with a "big
brother chip" to protect children as well as with the other modern
governmental snooping and protection, if-----say the license were then
jacked to thirty dollars per bicycle. -------See what I mean, all of you
who want Gov. Doyle's help for your bicycle pleasure!
Eric Westhagen
_______________________________________________
Bikies mailing list
[email protected]
http://www.danenet.org/mailman/listinfo/bikies
From: "George J. Perkins" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: [Bikies] apology
Date: Wed, 14 Feb 2007 23:11:10 -0600
To: "Dane County Bicycle Transportation Alliance" <[email protected]>
I violated one of my own rules of e-mail etiquette - I acted in haste and with
emotion. My apologies.
From: Eric Westhagen <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: [Bikies] Answer to George J. Perkins of DCBTA
Date: Wed, 14 Feb 2007 23:30:47 -0600
To: BikiesSubmissions <[email protected]>
Dear Group:
Indeed George J. Perkins might have a point. That is if this mailing list
is owned by the "Dane County Bicycle Transportation Alliance" an
organization with bi-laws as an "ACTIVIST GROUP" with a steering
committee? George Perkins addressed his answer to me and to this
newsletter with the bracketed title, DANE COUNTY BICYCLE TRANSPORTATION
ALLIANCE. If so, I had been misguided into thinking this list simply
covered general items of interest to the bicycling community, centered in
Madison. Since such newsletters are not centered in other parts of
Wisconsin to the North, I have been on this list. But in reading the "DANE
COUNTY BICYCLE TRANSPORTATION ALLIANCE" website, I see that not only are
they activist for THEIR bicycling agenda, but they are activist in the
political elections in Dane County. And yes, many regular contributors to
this newsletter, called "bikies" do seem to be on the steering committee of
DANE COUNTY BICYCLE TRANSPORTATION ALLIANCE. So, I am not surprised that
their activism attacks autos, SUVs, oil companies, business in general,
etc., etc. Actually, since my Grandparents came of age before the advent
of the automobile, I would much like to return to those halcyon days of the
horse and buggy. For fifteen years I have organized a free of charge time
trial race named after one of those horse and buggy bicycle racers of the
first bicycle craze. Maybe George J. Perkins and his friends might help me
"advocate" for such a retro-position. Possibly we might even petition the
auto show or Gov. Doyle to remove paving.
Eric Westhagen
Dane County Bicycle Transportation Alliance
From: Darryl Jordan <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: Re: [Bikies] apology
CC:
Date: Wed, 14 Feb 2007 23:29:04 -0800 (PST)
To: [email protected]
Hi Bike Folks;
Im new to posting to Bikies, but after reading the
past few posts, I feel I may interject with some
thoughts.
I live in Madison, but Im not a native of this city.
Ive lived outside of the confines of this city so I
know there is more than one way to consider an issue.
Biking in Madison is a gift of foresight by the biking
enthusiasts, city officials, municipal ideology,
geology and proximity of social amenities. It is a
local phenomenon that, as a cyclist, Im fortunate to
take advantage.
Having lived in smaller communities and rural
locations makes all more evident that Madison is a
singular situation seldom found elsewhere in the
state. It is easy and tempting to take cycling and
bike right-of-ways for granted and just as easy to
assume that the governments that are within our reach
should respond to our desires no matter how sincere we
are in our outlook of pro-cycling.
The reality is Wisconsin is inclusive to
municipalities of different sizes, cultural and
governmental histories, taxing abilities and desires,
and logistical concerns that supercedes auto vs.
bicycle arguments. Having lived in small towns and
rural setting, it is well nigh inconvenient to hop on
a bike to go to the grocery store, pharmacy, coffee
shop or work and still have time left over for a life.
And country riding has more risks of less bike-aware
drivers than Madison. (Although, that isnt always the
case as in the last week with a cyclist and pedestrian
downed by automobiles in Madison.)
So, before we go off the deep end demonizing people
and municipalities of differing priorities, keep in
mind local policies are made and voted on locally.
Before you criticize anothers policies, consider the
context in where youre from. Just because someone
doesnt vote the same way as you, doesnt mean you
resort to name calling, sarcasm and un-civil language.
Im not saying we should agree and have a group hug.
All I ask is to count to 10 or even twenty, or even
wait a day before responding to an issue before the
heat of the emotion betrays our mutual interest in
biking, for whatever reason we bike.
Respectfully submitted
Darryl Jordan
--- "George J. Perkins" wrote:
> I violated one of my own rules of e-mail etiquette -
> I acted in haste and with
> emotion. My apologies.
>
> _______________________________________________
> Bikies mailing list
> [email protected]
> http://www.danenet.org/mailman/listinfo/bikies
>
From: "Matt Logan" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: RE: [Bikies] BTA of Dane Country
CC:
Date: Thu, 15 Feb 2007 09:03:12 -0600
To: "'Eric Westhagen'" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>,
"'BikiesSubmissions'" <[email protected]>
Eric,
> So, I am not surprised that their activism attacks autos, SUVs, oil
> companies, business in general, etc., etc.
Where did you get the impression that the BTA attacks "autos, SUVs, oil
companies, business in general, etc., etc.. "?
The mission of the BTA:
"The Bicycle Transportation Alliance of Dane County advocates the use of
bicycles as a sustainable mode of transportation and recreation. We work
for recognition and support of bicyclists and bicycle issues such as
bicycle safety, inclusion of bicycle routes in transportation and land
use planning, and increased access to existing commercial and
residential districts. We pursue our goals through community education,
legislative action, and working with like-minded groups."
I don't see anything in that mission statement about attacking autos,
oil, SUVs, companies, or business in general. Attacking those groups
purely for the sake of attacking them isn't what I am about.
> Actually, since my Grandparents came of age before the advent of the
> automobile, I would much like to return to those halcyon days of the
> horse and buggy. For fifteen years I have organized a free of charge
> time trial race named after one of those horse and buggy bicycle
racers
> of the first bicycle craze. Maybe George J. Perkins and his friends
> might help me "advocate" for such a retro-position. Possibly we might
> even petition the auto show or Gov. Doyle to remove paving.
Are you suggesting that advocating for more City/State support of
bicycle transportation and recreation is "retro"?
- Matt
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