Join Me at the COMPASS Education Series

Each spring, COMPASS presents an educational speaker series, where we bring in experts from around the region and around the county to speak on issues affecting transportation, land use, funding, and other related items.

The purpose of the series is not to promote one “right” answer or a singular way of thinking, but to stimulate discussion and encourage thinking “outside the box” through looking at issues and solutions from a variety of perspectives, learning from what others have done, and examining new technologies.

We’ll be exploring “lessons learned” from others as we delve into the role of transportation in emergency planning in February. Our speaker has worked on major disasters, including Ground Zero and Hurricane Katrina, and undoubtedly has stories to tell and lessons we can learn.

In April, we’ll learn about new “solar roads” technology being developed right here in Idaho. Will this be part of our transportation future? I honestly don’t know, but am eager to hear more.

Other topics we’ll be discussing this spring include streets as public spaces (March), bike and pedestrian safety (May – tentative), and transportation demand management (June – tentative).

Typically, our speakers give two presentations – one in the evening for a general audience and one during the work day for professionals working in fields related to the topics. However, anyone is welcome to attend either presentation. All the presentations are free.

For details, visit http://www.compassidaho.org/comm/publicevents_2011_ed_series.htm.

I hope to see you there!

Congratulations Leadership in Motion Award Winners!

Yesterday COMPASS presented our annual Leadership in Motion awards, recognizing businesses, individuals, and projects that demonstrate leadership in supporting the Treasure Valley’s regional long-range transportation plan, Communities in Motion.

Reviewing the nominations has quickly become one of my favorite parts of my job. Even though I try to keep up on what is happening around the valley, as I read the nominations I am amazed by the innovative projects that are moving forward and being completed despite the tough economic times, and by the dedication and energy of the individuals who are nominated for their leadership.

I’ve listed the winners below and provide a link where you can learn more about each, but I’d briefly like to highlight one particular winner here.

Joe Luppens of Kuna was awarded the “Leadership by Example, Individual” award. Joe served as chairperson of the Kuna 2010 Census “Complete Count Committee,” a group whose purpose was to encourage all citizens of Kuna to complete their Census forms and be counted.

The committee was highly successful. Kuna had an 82% Census return rate, well above Ada County’s average, the national average, and Kuna’s 2000 rate. The additional participation is estimated to bring in nearly $400,000 per year more to the community from federal government appropriations, compared to funding based on the 2000 Census return rate.

However, while this success is to be commended, Joe didn’t receive the award because of the success of the committee. What was truly impressive was Joe’s work and dedication. Joe spent countless hours and chaired this committee completely as a volunteer – not as a city employee, not as part of another job – strictly his own time. Joe also spent his own money to promote the census – even buying T-shirts for outreach out of his own pocket. Joe’s selfless dedication is a great example of leadership by example by an individual and is something we can all strive to emulate. Thank you, Joe.

2010 Leadership in Motion Winners:

• Leadership by Example Award, Canyon County
• City of Caldwell, Pathways and Bike Routes Master Plan

• Leadership by Example Award, Ada County
• Boise State University, for programs that encourage transportation alternatives and wise land use planning

• Leadership in Private Business Award, Canyon County
• J-U-B Engineers, Inc., for design work on a federal aid rehabilitation project on Homedale Road

• Leadership in Private Business Award, Ada County
• Downtown Boise Association, for a program to place artwork on traffic signal controller boxes in downtown Boise

• Leadership by Example Award, Individual
• Joe Luppens, citizen volunteer, Kuna Census Complete Count Committee

• Leadership by Example Award, Elected Official (2 winners)
• Councilmember Elaine Clegg, City of Boise City
• Mayor Tom Dale, City of Nampa

Visit www.compassidaho.org/comm/awards.htm to learn more about each recipient.

Food for Thought

COMPASS staff are conducting a holiday food drive to support the Idaho Foodbank. As part of that food drive, we’ve been looking at statistics related to hunger in Idaho.

One common statistic is how many people must choose between medicine/medical care and food. In Idaho, 34% of people who receive food from the Idaho Foodbank say they must make this choice. That is a troubling statistic.

However, an equally troubling, but much less commonly quoted statistic is the number of people who must choose between food and transportation. In Idaho, 37% of people who receive food from the Idaho Foodbank say they must make this choice; that percentage jumps to 49% when asked specifically about buying gas for a car.

Let me say that again:

Thirty-seven percent of food recipients say they must choose between purchasing food and paying for transportation.

That is transportation that could potentially get someone to a job, to a doctor to receive medical care, to a place of worship, or anyplace else they need to go. Lack of access to transportation can be devastating – economically, socially, and physically.

As part of the transportation industry, what can we do about this?

We live in a very auto-dependent state – sprawling communities with limited bus service. Without a personal vehicle, it is nearly impossible to get to work, the grocery store, or the doctor. Can we fix that?

“Community Choices,” the growth scenario that is the basis for Communities in Motion, the regional long-range transportation plan for the Treasure Valley, encourages more compact growth, with jobs, shopping, etc. close to housing. This would allow people to walk or bike to their destinations instead of needing to rely on a vehicle. The plan also calls for significantly increased transit – a much more affordable way to get around town than a private automobile.

We talk about these things as smart planning, good land use, and wise use of our resources. However, until I read the statistic above, I hadn’t thought about them in terms of poverty and meeting basic human needs.

Is it possible to be so successful in planning our transportation future that eventually no one has to choose between food and transportation?

Now there is something to chew on.

Happy 10th Anniversary Idaho Smart Growth

This week, Idaho Smart Growth is celebrating 10 years of “bringing Idahoans together to keep our communities vibrant and our lands healthy.” Congratulations!

COMPASS and Idaho Smart Growth have worked closely on transportation and land use issues over the years – particularly in the areas of planning a robust transportation system with a variety of transportation choices, supporting the land use to coincide with such a system, and working to find ways to fund our transportation infrastructure. They have been a valuable ally and partner. We’re proud to be a sponsor of their 10^th anniversary celebration and to be participating in anniversary events.

I encourage you to learn more about Idaho Smart Growth and their many initiatives (including transportation) and help them celebrate by attending one of the events they have scheduled for this week:

• Local Motion: Everybody Moves!
  

Thursday, November 4, 2010 (First Thursday), 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm

The Empire Building on 10th and Idaho, Boise, ID. Free.

• Discover Smart Growth!
  

Friday, November 5, 2010, 9:00 am – 7;00 pm

The Discovery Center of Idaho, 131 W Myrtle Street, Boise. Free.

• Idaho Smart Growth 10th Anniversary Gala Celebration and Grow Smart Awards
  

Saturday, November 6, 2010, 5:30 pm - 9:30 pm.

The Boise Depot, 2603 W. Eastover Terrace, Boise. Tickets required.

Visit the Idaho Smart Growth web site to learn more.