Thursday, August 5, 2010

LaHood downplays Ohio GOP attack on passenger rail

LaHood downplays Ohio GOP attack on passenger rail
By MATT LEINGANG, The Associated Press
12:19 PM Thursday, August 5, 2010

COLUMBUS, Ohio — U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood is downplaying threats by Ohio Republicans to stop the state's passenger rail project.

LaHood says the $400 million stimulus project to connect Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton and Cincinnati is an important part of a national rail program. He compared it to the development of the federal highway system, which took five decades to complete and survived numerous elections.

Full story at: http://www.daytondailynews.com/news/ohio-news/lahood-downplays-ohio-gop-attack-on-passenger-rail-846020.html
 
 
 
Ken Prendergast
Executive Director
All Aboard Ohio
12029 Clifton Blvd., Suite 505
Cleveland, OH 44107
(216) 288-4883
kenprendergast@allaboardohio.org
www.allaboardohio.org
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Rail progress snippets from other states

Published: August 04. 2010 12:41PM
Erie City Council approves resolution supporting passenger rail funding

Erie City Council wants federal officials to use a government financing program to help bring GE Transportation more business.

City Council this morning unanimously approved a resolution urging federal officials to provide loan guarantees to Amtrak via the Railroad Rehabilitation and Improvement Financing Program.

That program, which the U.S. Department of Transportation oversees, provides direct loans and loan guarantees for railroad projects. Amtrak has expressed interest in using the RRIF program to upgrade an aging passenger locomotive fleet.

READ MORE AT:
http://www.goerie.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100804/NEWS02/308049920
 
 
 
N.C. seeks grants for fast trains
Charlotte News Observer

The state Department of Transportation is applying for $290 million in federal railroad money for projects that include new passenger stations in Hillsborough and Lexington and a bridge to separate cars from trains at the rail crossing on Blue Ridge Road near the State Fairgrounds in Raleigh.

The request is for North Carolina's share of $2.3 billion in high-speed rail grants to be awarded nationwide in September. The state recently began spending some of the $545 million it won earlier this year as part of $8 billion in federal stimulus funds for fast trains.

"We could get all of this $290 million, or some of it, or we could get none of it," Pat Simmons, the state DOT rail director, said Wednesday.

READ MORE AT:
 

And a very positive editorial from a New Hampshire paper...a state that has not been historically friendly toward supporting passenger rail....

Passenger trains and the future of N.H., region
Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Work is under way to improve the rail line between Portland, Maine, and Brunswick in order to accommodate passenger trains.

The plan to reintroduce daily passenger rail service to that part of Maine for the first time in 50-plus years in one sense has little relevance to those who live in the Lakes Region.

But this project shows that seriously examining what place passenger trains will play in the overall transportation plan for other areas of Northern New England is a subject to be taken seriously.

READ MORE AT:
 
 
Ken Prendergast
Executive Director
All Aboard Ohio
12029 Clifton Blvd., Suite 505
Cleveland, OH 44107
(216) 288-4883
kenprendergast@allaboardohio.org
www.allaboardohio.org
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Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Columbus City Schools: eNewsletter - Week of 08.02.2010

nnnnn 08.01.2010
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2010 Columbus Board of Education

Front, l-r: W. Shawna Gibbs; Ramona Reyes; Stephanie Groce, Vice Pres.; and Carol L. Perkins, Pres.
Second Row, l-r: Micheal Wiles; Hanifah Kambon; and Gary L. Baker II.

Click here for scheduled meeting dates, podcasts, and how to contact CCS Board of Education members.

Back-to-School
Register Early for the 2010-11 School Year
Parents and students that are new to the district or have moved during the summer months are encouraged to take advantage of Summer Central Registration July 12 through August 6.
 2010-11 School Year Calendars

Year-Round Schools Are In Session
Wednesday, July 28, 2010, was the first day of the 2010-11 school year for students of the district's year-round schools: Africentric Early College K-12, Weinland Park ES & Woodcrest ES. With a balanced school-year calendar, the traditional nine-month, 180-day academic calendar is restructured so that the instructional and vacation periods are more evenly distributed over 12 months. Traditional calendar schools begin classes August 25, 2010.

New Vaccine Requirements
The Ohio Department of Health is now requiring prior to the start of kindergarten, all children must receive a second dose of varicella (chicken pox vaccine), and the last dose of polio vaccine must be on or after the child's fourth birthday. In addition, all students entering the 7th grade must now have a booster dose of the Tdap vaccine.
Contact your health care provider or health department for assistance.
Click here to learn more.

Four Innovative Schools for 2010-11 Academic Year
As 2009-10 school year begins to wind toward a close, CCS staff members are working to prepare new programs for the 2010-11 school year. Inaugural classes, beginning this fall, are forming now! The innovative schools include the:

Columbus International High School
Columbus City Prep. School for Boys
Columbus City Prep. School for Girls
Expansion of Fifth Ave. International to a K-8 program

The new schools were a levy promise made after reviewing community input and the result of the hard work of the Innovative Schools Task Force Committee, comprised of community members, parents, and educators.


Ohio Senate Bill 311
Credit Flexibility: A New Option for High School Students
Columbus City Schools provides students four different methods to earn high school academic credit toward graduation: Traditional, Integrated, Applied, and Career-Technical. Credit Flexibility is an additional opportunity for students to create unique learning experiences. Student proposals could include, but are not limited to: Distance learning (online), educational travel, independent study, internships, community service, performance, and field experiences.
Click here to read more!


We want to hear from you.
Please send your feedback
and story ideas to:
e-News@columbus.k12.oh.us
Columbus City Schools' Vision 2012 and Beyond
A 90 percent graduation rate beginning with the members of the Class of 2012
The Columbus City Schools' Vision 2012 is a shared goal of a 90% graduation rate beginning with the members of the Class of 2012 – today's junior class. Superintendent Gene T. Harris has launched an aggressive Operational Plan to change the way the district supports its schools and serves its students. In a nod of support of the plan and of the work accomplished to date, the Columbus City Schools Board of Education recently approved the extension of Harris' contract for an additional four years.
Click here to learn more about Vision 2012 and Beyond!

Back to School Resources
Click here for a one-stop online source to prepare for the first day of school. Information includes school websites, dress code/uniform polices, suggested school supplies and community resources. Click here for the 2010-11 Back to School Newsletter!

Come Visit Our Back-to-School Booth!
Are you heading to the 12th Annual Heritage Concert Series each Thursday evening or Festival Latino, the weekend of August 14-15? So are we! Come visit our Back-to-School information booth to learn more about our innovative educational programs, our many new or renovated schools, and how to enroll for the upcoming year. So be sure to stop by. We're looking forward to meeting you!

2010-2011 School Year
CCS to Host Orientation for Incoming 6th- and 9th-Grade Students August 18, 2010
The first day of school for the 2010-11 school year is August 25, 2010. Columbus City School (CCS) is again easing the transition for first time as kindergartners, as well as students moving onward as new middle or high school students for the upcoming school year with a special Back-to-School Orientation Day.
Click here to learn more.
Click here for more information about Summer Central Registration.

2010-11 School and Transportation Assignments Coming
In mid-August, parents should watch their home mailboxes for a "snap-pull" envelope (pictured) with each child's transportation information, i.e. bus pick-up and drop-off times and locations. This new method allows the district to send families the most up-to-date information.
For more information, click here to visit the CCS Transportation webpage. Click here for the 2010-11 Back to School Newsletter.

Change in Columbus High School Bus Stops: Maps and Information
One of Columbus City Schools' levy promises to the community was to conduct a comprehensive review of the transportation operation to help improve efficiency and operations and to reduce costs. However, at the forefront of any Columbus City School decision is to maintain the safety of our students in all situations. For the upcoming 2010-2011 school year, the district will consolidate high school bus stops (only) to the nearest open CCS building from the student's home. Click here to learn more.

Jumpstart to Kindergarten: August 9-20, 2010
A two-week school-readiness program for children ages 4-5; English as a Second Language Services available.
Columbus City Schools has something special planned for 4 and 5 year-old children who have not attended a formal preschool or Head Start program and will enroll with in district Kindergarten class this fall. More than 40 CCS elementary-level buildings will host "Jumpstart to Kindergarten," a two-week school-readiness program. Click here to download an application and to learn more!

Parents Now Able to View Middle- and High-School Grades Online - Anytime!
Columbus City Schools is pleased to introduce the Parent Assistant Module (PAM), a tool for parents (and students) to access grades via the Internet, seven days a week, 24 hours a day. PAM uses secure web access technology to serve the family and increase home-to-school communication. PAM provides direct access to a student's grades, class attendance, and upcoming assignments. Click here for a list of participating schools.

Fostering Community and School Partnerships
A new School Partnership Registration Process has been developed to encourage a cooperative and easy working relationship with our valued partners in support of the district's mission. Click here for additional information.

34 New or Renovated State-of-the-art Schools Since 2004, 10 More Underway
Learning Continues During Construction and Renovations
As the work continues on the Segment 3 (and the final stage of Segment 2 of the 7-segment building initiative, one of the largest construction projects in the state, CCS is maintaining its focus on teaching and learning. This segment, to further bring more schools into full 21st-century learning environments, is a $159 million investment: $112.2 million in district funds from Issue 75, approved by Columbus voters in November 2008, and $46.9 million in state matching funds (approximately 30 percent). Click here to read more about your Segment 3 school.
Click here to read more about temporary school moves.

Are you receiving a pass-along copy of
CCS eNews? To subscribe Click here
or here to opt out.

CCS: http://twitter.com/ColsCitySchools |
Superintendent: http://twitter.com/DrGeneTHarris
Columbus City Schools | 270 East State Street | Columbus, Ohio 43215 | (614) 365-5000


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Please take this transit survey!

Dear Rail & Transit Supporter;

A team working on Cuyahoga County reform is conducting a survey that includes a wide range of questions, including your suggestions regarding public transportation and land use within the county. If you live in or near Greater Cleveland, or visit it regularly, you should participate......

We encourage you to take this brief survey (about 10 minutes) to share your thoughts with Cuyahoga County.

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/hcqp
 
 
 
 
Ken Prendergast
Executive Director
All Aboard Ohio
12029 Clifton Blvd., Suite 505
Cleveland, OH 44107
(216) 288-4883
kenprendergast@allaboardohio.org
www.allaboardohio.org
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Monday, August 2, 2010

North Carolina-funded trains see 200% growth

A 200 percent increase!! Gee, I'm sorry to hear state-supported trains with top speeds of only 79 mph don't attract riders...

Train ridership up in NC thanks to new train
Associated Press - August 2, 2010 3:35 PM ET

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) - The addition of a midday train between North Carolina's two largest cities has increased ridership on the state-sponsored passenger rail service.

The state Department of Transportation announced on Monday that the Piedmont midday service between Raleigh and Charlotte helped increase ridership by nearly 200% over last June from 5,258 to 15,426.

READ MORE AT:
http://www.wbtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=12911753
 
Ken Prendergast
Executive Director
All Aboard Ohio
12029 Clifton Blvd., Suite 505
Cleveland, OH 44107
(216) 288-4883
kenprendergast@allaboardohio.org
www.allaboardohio.org
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All Aboard Ohio Local Meetings - August 2009

All Aboard Ohio Local Meetings
 
August 2009
 
 
3rd -- 6 p.m.; DAYTON/RIVERSIDE -- Comfort Inn, 5220 Harshman Ave., Riverside, across Springfield Street from the Air Force Museum. Topics: Developing the 3C advocacy toolbox. Contact: Jim Wellman at 937-416-1819.
 
10th -- 6:30 p.m.; CINCINNATI -- Cincinnati Union Terminal, Tower A, 1301 Western Ave., Cincinnati. Topics: 3C update, CIC Corridor, Ohio Hub PEIS Study, Cincinnati Streetcar. Contact: Beau Tuke at 513-543-8504.
 
12th -- Noon; YOUNGSTOWN -- Regional Chamber conference room 17th floor, 11 Central Square, Youngstown. Topics: CYP TechBelt Corridor advocacy, static display presentation, updates, etc. Brown bag lunch meeting but chamber will provide soft drinks. RSVP: Shari Budge at 330-744-2131 Ext 31.
 
14th -- 10 a.m.; TOLEDO -- Toledo Amtrak Station, MLK Plaza, 415 Emerald Ave., Toledo. Topics: Amtrak service issues, All Aboard Ohio-Destination Toledo project, Ohio Hub PEIS Study, ODOT futures meeting, etc. Contact: Bill Gill at 419-536-1924.
 
14th -- 10 a.m.; COLUMBUS -- Grandview Public Library, 1685 West First Ave., Grandview. Topics: Local display opportunities for All Aboard Ohio, 3C update, Ohio Hub PEIS Study, local transit issues, etc. Contact: Larry Robertson at 614-459-0359.
 
14th -- 10 a.m.; CLEVELAND -- Willow Coffee House, 11620 Madison Ave., Cleveland, across Madison from the West 117th Rapid station. Topics: Local display opportunities for All Aboard Ohio, 3C update, Ohio Hub PEIS Study, West Shore Corridor update, etc. Contact: Ken Prendergast at 216-288-4883.
 
 
Please attend and get involved in your community! Write letters to the editor! Set up All Aboard Ohio displays at local events! Get a local letter-writing campaign going! Schedule meetings with your state legislators in their districts! Create All Aboard Ohio chapters at local colleges and universities! These are just a few ideas.
 
Need All Aboard Ohio brochures? Download them here:
3C Talking Points? Download them here:
3C Mythbusters!
3C Corridor comparison:
 
KJP
 
Ken Prendergast
Executive Director
All Aboard Ohio
12029 Clifton Blvd., Suite 505
Cleveland, OH 44107
(216) 288-4883
kenprendergast@allaboardohio.org
www.allaboardohio.org
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NNO - Tuesday, August 3 - 6pm Kroger's Chambers Rd.

All:

 

The Fifth by Northwest Area Commission joins the City of Columbus and the Nation in showing our unity, neighborhood spirit, in honoring our fire and police protection for our safety, and in looking forward to what our neighborhood’s future is in this area! In recognition of the Italian heritage of our neighborhood, and its abundance of independently owned pizza shops sprinkling our area, each with its own taste – we will be celebrating the event with a Pizza Crawl starting at 6pm at the Kroger’s side parking lot, with the Columbus Fire Department and Sparky the firedog on hand – and progressing through the neighborhood from there!

 

Join us tomorrow for this annual celebration of neighborhood spirit! We have a lot to celebrate in neighborhood unity, diversity, development, and in the future direction of the neighborhood! For more information on what National Night Out (NNO) is – and what it all about – please check out http://www.nationalnightout.org/nno/or for the City of Columbus’ plans  around town  http://www.columbusmessenger.com/NC/0/6704.html as we all take a closer look at our neighborhood on NNO August 3rd, 2010 6pm. We will have a short vote at the beginning of the meeting about regular Commission business regarding Zoning – and then it is off-to-the races with the pizza, firefighters, corn-hole toss, etc.

 

Anyone who lives, works, or conducts business in the Fifth by Northwest Area is welcome to attend – as always! We hope to see you there!

 

 

Becky Obester

Financial Associate

TS Finance

614-217-1399

614-516-8577 (Mobile)

 

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