Mayoral Candidate Provenza Interviewed on Improving Downtown and Walkability and Bikeability

Loren Demerath interviewed Shreveport Mayoral Candidate Victoria Provenza on both downtown and bike-ped.  Listen to the interview right here!

Reports on State Bike-Ped Summit, Cross Bayou, and First Bike Co-op at Next Meeting!

Monday's meeting of ABetterShreveport should be plenty interesting. Lots of stuff to report on, including:

• This week's state summit of bike-ped organizers in Baton Rouge last week, attended by Stephen Pederson and Loren Demerath
• Shreveport's first bike co-op debuted at the Makers Fair, set up and manned by Stephen and Maurice Loridans



At our next meeting we'll discuss the exciting progress of planning to 
develop the Cross Bayou Corridor with greenspaces and paths  

• Cross Bayou Corridor design meeting at Shreve Memorial Library headed by David Wagonnerr and attended by Loren and his Urban Sociology class, JonSoul, Feico Kempff, and a graduate class in architecture from Louisiana Tech.

Plus, after the meeting I'll be interviewing mayoral candidate Victoria Provenza for broadcast on KSCL and posting online right there in the meeting room. I don't think she'd mind if people listened in, but we'll defer to her. (Still waiting to hear back on our interview request to Ollie Tyler's campaign, by the way; we'll keep trying!) 

So, Monday at 6:00 at the Wright Math Building at Centenary, all are welcome!

Red River Cleanup and "We Grow Together" Discussed at Earlier Meeting

I apologize for posting these notes so late, y’all!  I vow to be better—if a bit more abbreviated! 

- Loren

In attendance: George Gehrig, Adam Willard, Lisa Willard, Lani Duke, Maurice Loridans, Loren Demerath, Mary Dumars, Deborah Roberson.

WATERSHED HEALTH A CAMPAIGN ISSUE

We first discussed the appropriateness of the Bayou Chapter of the Ozark Society and ABetterShreveport hosting Victoria Provenza and agreed that it was an opportunity to hear someone speak to their interests from a point of expertise.  The group is not advocating people vote for any particular candidate, but recommend that voters attend to candidates’ knowledge on this kind of issue.

RED RIVER CLEANUP NEEDS HELP

For the past few years the local Bayou Chapter of the greater regional Ozark Society has conducted a fairly large-scale “Red River Cleanup” using many volunteers in boats on a Saturday in the fall.  This year’s is coming up on Saturday, November 8^th.

George said the Red River Valley Association has expressed no interest in supporting it, and neither has the Red River Waterway Commission.  But the Army Corps of Engineers and Gary Hanson of the Red River Watershed Management Institute have expressed interest.

Folks coming together in past years'
cleanups have made a big difference

The new Bossier Sam’s Club has donated 25 cases of water, and Jeff Wyatt of Diamond Reality has donated his services in towing a barge up and down the river where boaters can deposit trash they’ve picked up.  Cadets from the Camp Minden Louisiana Youth Challenge come and help too.  Jason’s Deli will provide free lunch; and Buffalo Wild Wings will donate something too, perhaps gift certificates--maybe for the weirdest trash find (they’ve found speakers, boxer shorts, even a meth lab)--and they’ve dressed up before.  The Power Squadron has come out and helped shuttle people up and down the river.

The biggest hurdle is getting funds for the t-shirts, banners, printing of fliers and waivers (people sign waivers and get a wrist band to show they’ve signed the waiver), a total of $2,500-$3,000 to hold it.

The Boardwalk hasn’t been a help in stopping the trash.  They were run back and forth from Boardwalk offices to Bass Pro, to the Corps, then back to Bass Pro.  Mary mentioned that Chris Jay with the Tourism Bureau might be of help.  Margaritaville has a look out that’s low enough that they might see the benefit since they’ve got the view.  Mary said the Lowes on Mansfield has been a big help building a garden from start to finish.

Adam said when he’s worked with the Tourism Bureau on cleanups, the concern was about enforcement.  There are fines for littering, but we don’t enforce them; the police officers themselves are among the culprits by throwing cigarette butts in the river.

George mentioned the possibility of student internships and service-learning.  Perhaps a student could organize a watershed cleanup, connecting to government agencies and organizations up and down the watershed to organize something much larger.  Loren said next year that would be a real possibility.

“WE GROW TOGETHER” DISCUSSED

The group then discussed “We Grow Together” on the heels of Grace Peterson having presented here at ABS earlier.  They now have about 15 community gardens, and they’re teaching kids about where fruits and vegetables come from.  (Law enforcement may need some help too, given that one guy recently had his okra patch raided on suspicion of marijuana growing.)

“We Grow Together” pursues growing food regionally, though not necessarily organically because of regulations that go with that label.  They look to provide neighborhood hubs for: access to a central community setting, healthy food, exercise, nutrition education, volunteer/mentor training, regular health screenings and health education.

At the Valencia Park community garden they started with kids who’ve now grown into young adults and that garden sells produce now to the Wine Country restaurant.  They also host a “We Grow Together Garden Series” that teaches gardening.

A backbone to the program is bringing to fruition some of the goals in the Shreveport Caddo Master Plan, increasing access to food, providing green space, an active living option, and health education.  They’re voting on the ArkLaTex regional food system master plan on whether it’ll be viable as a means to achieving those goals.

“Greens on the Red” will be in March and they’re just planning that now.  They encourage people to champion a particular green of their choice!

ABetterShreveport has long loved Grace Peterson’s notion that the Shreveport-Bossier area is actually the greens capital of the world!

Williams and Provenza respond to bike-ped questions

Patrick Williams and Victoria Provenza responded to some questions I'd asked recently (much too recently, I'm afraid! my apologies! Also missed additional text Patrick Williams' team had sent the first time I published this.  Sorry! - Loren).

Questions from ABetterShreveport:
1. Many cities in the United States now have regular "Cyclovias," often on a weekend day. This is where an entire street, or one or two lanes of a street, is blocked from automobile use and reserved for pedestrians and cyclists. Could we look forward to enjoying Shreveport's first Cyclovia under your administration? And do you have any ideas on what street or streets might be good to use for the event?

2. Many cities have begun developing networks of multi-use paths that pedestrians, cyclists, and those using mobility aids can use for transportation, not just recreation. Paths have put alongside working railroads, drainage ditches, and atop levies. Would you be in favor of developing such a network using those kinds of resources in Shreveport? 

3. Assuming your answer above is yes, which of the following multi-use path opportunities would you want to see developed first, and why?
- connecting downtown to the north and the MLK neighborhood with a path along Cross Bayou
- connecting southwest Shreveport to LSUS and the retail areas in southeast Shreveport using combinations of paths beside drainage ditches and streets
- connecting the Southern Hills neighborhood to Cedar Grove and points north with a path along a drainage ditch
- connecting the Anderson Island and Shreve Island neighborhoods by Shreveport Barksdale Highway to the retail areas around 70th Street with a path along the "duck pond" bayou.
Alternatively, are there other paths you would develop first instead?

Patrick Williams:
In the interest of time, I want folks in Shreveport to know that I am committed to alternative modes of transportation wherever possible. Progressive, forward thinking cities and regions are looking to incorporate these plans into their overall transportation planning strategies. Sometimes that takes the form of paths and trailways and sometimes it is accomplished by building roads that are safe for pedestrians and cyclists. As someone who has walked all the way from Shreveport to Baton Rouge to promote awareness for childhood obesity and autism, I can speak firsthand to the need to keep pedestrians and cyclists safe. I also have a track record of promoting these types of plans having sponsored legislation in Baton Rouge called Safe Paths, Safe Streets in 2011 which ensured that cyclists and pedestrians had the right of way and were safer on the streets.

Some years ago a prominent Shreveporter had the idea and vision that the City eventually commissioned and developed called the “String of Pearls” project that would link the different parks across the City.  This project was never implemented and would have been good then and with recent enthusiasm for the healthcare and wellness benefits from walking and cycling would be great today.  As Mayor, this project will be taken off of the shelf, dusted off and updated. 

Our city has an Infrastructure Deficit and my goal is to get that backlog of projects from planning to construction.  We can incorporate the needs of pedestrians and cyclists when we build these projects and I will seek to work with community partners and other governmental bodies that make funds available for these types of projects.  With Louisiana’s national rankings for obesity, access to park space and mobility options, we ought to be poised for success in garnering these grants. By working with community partners in healthcare and other industries we can leverage their access to local funding to better compete for the national dollars that are available while offering these local companies the opportunity to sponsor an important resource for our citizens.

To be a true progressive city and move Shreveport forward, we must develop projects and have events that offer alternatives to our citizens.  Progress means working together for one goal and what is right for Shreveport.  A commitment to these types of projects will also assist us in economic development efforts as we work to recruit companies and employers from other parts of the country.  As Mayor, I will work with all groups to do what is right and build our economic status as a competitive City.

Victoria Provenza:
Yes, being that a sustainable and prosperous 21st Century city is the center stone of my platform I have already addressed this issue publically via the numerous forums and published questionnaires on various sites throughout the Internet. In the event you missed any of my walkable and bikable city talks, I suggest you visit my website at victoriaprovenza.com for more detailed information.

Centenary Students Interview Provenza

Not sure who to vote for tomorrow? Students in Centenary's Urban Sociology class, Tierra Range and Celia Sobleman interviewed Victoria Provenza, as well as political science professor Dr. Chris Parker, in the first episode of their new KSCL show, "Centenary Students with the Facts" 

You can listen here:
http://centfacts.wix.com/centenarystudentswtf

Meeting with Media Panelists Tonight

Just a reminder of our meeting tonight on how to use media for advocacy.  

This meeting is one outcome of the Advocacy Committee of HGIO coming together with ABetterShreveport as well as local bicycle and safety groups.  The other outcome of our coming together is our new Bike-Ped advocacy group, WHICH WE COULD OFFICIALLY NAME TONIGHT! 

But for our advocacy-using-media focus we'll have three panelists:

Nancy Learned with tonight's panelist Karen Wissing being
interviewed by Loren Demerath on
"Time for ABetterShreveport" on KSCL 91.3 fm

• Feamula Bradley of the Louisiana Public Health Institute
• Jan Elkins of KTBS News
• Karen Wissing head of social media for SciPort 

As usual, we'll meet from 6:00-7:00 p.m. on Centenary's campus in the Wright Math Building, 2907 Woodlawn (that's just up from the Gold Dome and across the street from Centenary's Magale Library).

Join us!

Advocacy Tips and New Orleans Bike-Ped Highlights at Last Week's Big Meeting

What a meeting it was!  And pictures to come!  Promise! 

In attendance: Lani Duke, Loren Demerath, Maurice Loridans, Stephen Pederson, Garrett Johnson, Cynthia Keith, Marion Collins, Ila Broyles, Dina Utter, Caryn Jenkins, Elka Anderson, Jim Broyles, Melisa Smith, Chris Chandler, Emilie Harmeyer, Cathy Smith, Katherine Sailer, Patrick Furlong, Matthew Ellis, Jonathan Toups, Victoria Provenza, Matthew Linn, Robert Trudeau, Feamula Bradley, Jennifer Ruley (via speaker phone).

GOVERNMENT MEETING REVEALS BIG OPPORTUNITY

Loren kicked things off with a description of the meeting he and Ila Broyles had last week with government officials, and how tonight’s meeting could help us take advantage of a significant opportunity.  As co-chairs of the HGIO Advocacy Committee, Loren and Ila met with Caddo Parish Commissioner Matthew Lin, NLCOG Director Kent Rogers, Caddo Parish Administrator Woody Wilson, Caddo Parish Engineer Ken Ward, and Metropolitan Planning Commission Interim Director Stephen Jean.  Kent Rogers gave us the welcome news that as part of revising our region’s overall transportation master plan, a kind of bike-ped plan would be created as well, and this could include a plan for a network of multi-use paths.

NLCOG has already selected the firm, Alliance Transportation Group, that will create the overall transportation master plan.  That firm has the contract for doing the LA DOT plan as well, and a bike-ped advocate Loren knows, David Levinger, said that those kinds of firms tend to be automobile focused.  In looking at the firm’s website they don’t appear to have the background in bike-ped planning that other firms do that specialize in that.  But it was noted that citizens groups like ABS might be able to request that the bike-ped component be sub-contracted out.  The city has an opportunity to create a better quality of life and a unique value that can lead to economic development if it’s done well.  A bike-ped master plan in Shreveport could include an extensive network of paths, not to mention bike lanes, and pedestrian safety components.  All are those features are relatively inexpensive and could be developed out of existing funds.  A good plan will make it easy for create those benefits for the city, but a bad one would make it hard, even impeding improvements into the future.  

ADVOCACY TIPS OUT OF THE LOUISIANA PUBLIC HEALTH INSTITUTE

Feamula Bradley, of the Louisiana Public Health Institute (LPHI) shared advice on how to be an effective advocacy group.  Feamula was one of the main people behind the smoke-free policies that have been established in the state, not to mention the ordinance passed in Shreveport, the first city in the state to pass one like it.

Feamula described how LPHI and the Louisiana Campaign for Tobacco Free Living was able to get “boots on the ground,” and talk to decision makers in local governments and businesses to point out to them that they were all on the cusp of going tobacco-free, and would be able to do it if they all did it together.  Once the movement started, others joined too, not wanting to be left out of it.

Feamula described the various ways non-profit groups can advocate for an issue.  The point of advocacy is to distribute information on an issue, and that can be done through letters to editors of newspapers, articles and feature stories in news media, and posting on social media.  Calls to action are important to, where people are asked to share their points of view by commenting on a webpage, or by emailing decision makers.  Feamula noted that effective advocacy groups can end up shutting down the email accounts of decision makers that way, their accounts becoming so overwhelmed with incoming email.

Feamula pointed out that while non-profits are not allowed to lobby—where one requests that government officials make certain decisions on legislative issues—they can give officials information on the issues for which they advocate.   She described the effectiveness of sharing such information is facilitated by referencing issues which they find important.  And so, Feamula noted, as an organization, it helps to research decision-makers, and record what you find out. 

But maybe the most important thing Feamula advised (at least to this dimwit!) is that organizers need to set goals and timelines at their meetings, and to distribute the duties needed to reach those goals according to those timelines.  (Got it!)

Another tip Feamula gave for advocacy groups is not to overlook the small details and get distracted by the excitement of reaching the big goal at the end.  (Hmm.  Might be guilty of that one too.)  The more you tend to the details and little to-do’s the faster you’ll get there.

Feamula noted how important community mobilization was to the success of the Tobacco Free Living campaign.  When she’d give out t-shirts at festivals or shopping centers, she pause to ask the person, “hey, if you’re really interested in this, can I get your contact information?” and that info will later let you ask them to show up at city council meetings (“You don’t have to say anything, just your standing there will mean something,” she’d tell them), or to email decision makers (TFL has been known to stimulate so much email that officials’ accounts have crashed).  Helping community mobilization can be having a youth component, as well as using focus groups to projects.

Another of Feamula’s important points is looking at who’s NOT “at your table.”  That’s certainly a point our largely white, upper-middle class ABS should consider.  (Talking with Feamula later after the meeting, she emphasized the importance of diversifying our base.  This resonates with plans ABS had made before our summer break, to “take our act on the road,” and meet in other neighborhoods, pointedly inviting leaders of neighborhood associations and the like.  The plan was that ABS would learn neighborhoods different needs, interests and resources to see how they might fit with ABS projects, and in turn, to share what ABS is working on to see if they’d like to get involved and help us.  And, because it can be intimidating to come on to Centenary’s campus to meet, reaching out to the neighborhoods would involve meeting at various library branches.

Reaching out to decision-makers was another topic Feamula addressed.  She said it helps to develop profiles of such people, to research what it is they care about by attending to what they’ve spoken about, proposed, posted in social media, etc.  One can then look to connect to them through those interests.

            Last but not least, Feamula pointed out there are professional organizations out there ready to help, like LPHI.  Other organizations, like the Louisiana Association of Non-Profit Organizations (LANO), are there for the offing as well.  In the end, it’s all about partnerships.

            And as an example of the advice and expertise professionals can provide in such partnerships, next up was Jennifer Ruley!

PLANNER SHOWS OFF NEW ORLEANS BIKE-PED ACHIEVEMENTS

To give us a taste for what’s possible, Jennifer Ruley, an urban planner with the Louisiana Public Health Institute, then spoke to us over speaker phone, walking us through a powerpoint showing what she’s helped to do in New Orleans.

One of the highlights has been new bike lanes; they’ve gone from having 5 miles of bike lanes to 92 miles now in 8 years.  (Shreveport has zero miles, as readers may know.  So far.  Caddo Parish recently installing some on North Lakshore Drive. It’s a start!)

Another has bike enhancement in New Orleans has been bike parking: they’re about to add 500 more to an already substantial 4,000 spaces.

They’ve also added safety improvements like pedestrian refuge islands and crosswalks in the French Quarter.

And there’s been programming, too.  The first “Cyclovia,” (titled “Play Streets in NOLA) was held recently, (where a street is temporarily blocked off from automotive traffic).  And Better Block Demonstrations have shown on one set day how you can transform a block.  Using just temporary paint, artificial turf and planters, spaces can be provocatively repurposed.  Theirs were done by the Center for Planning Excellence.  And Bike to Work Day was a made into a party by organizing social events around it.

Although Louisiana now has a complete streets policy for state roadways (though it’s debatable how strong it is), New Orleans has passed a Complete Street Ordinance for the city “requiring that all transportation improvements are planned, designed and constructed to encourage walking, bicycling and transit use, while also promoting the full use of, and safe operation for all uses of the City’s transportation network.”  (Not a bad model, eh, Shreveport?)

As to the Shreveport Bike Ped cause, particular our interest in creating a network of multi-use paths out of our drainage ditches and levees, Jennifer said that the first steps should include targeting some relatively easy early successes (and heads nodded in the room).

Ila Broyles asked Jennifer Ruley what we might expect from the planning process, the kinds of early successes that can be done, and what communities have done this well? 

Jennifer said often there are projects approaching on the horizon, such as roadway projects coming up that are in the design process and might be amenable to accommodations.  You can do those projects sooner rather than wait for the whole city wide plan to be completed.  Once done they help the community come to expect such changes, even galvanize it to demand them.

As to what communities have done it well, Jennifer suggested we look at Jefferson Parish, which just completed their bike plan; she noted that it was pretty expensive and that there was a national expert that was part of that team;   Lake Charles has a good bike plan too.  Interestingly, Jennifer said Albuquerque New Mexico is worth a look for us in Shreveport, because it has a similar water layout with “arroyos” that work much like our bayous.

            Jeff Welborne asked how Jennifer maps the information on bike ways and make it all available to the public to see where all the bike ways are.  How do you keep track of that?  Jennifer said they track paths and lanes with Public Works in New Orleans and also refer people to the Master Plan.  But she noted one can also use GoogleMaps to consider where they’d be useful.  Victoria Provenza noted that Jill Mitchell at LA DOTD is a good resource for that.

NEXT MEETING: AUGUST 25^TH AT 6:00 TO HEAR GUEST PANEL ON USING MEDIA & SOCIAL MEDIA

Jan Elkins and Clay Kirby of KTBS will be our special guests on August 25^th from 6:00 to 7:00 at the Wright Math Building.  Clay is head of social media at the station and Jan, a former news anchor, has been a longtime community media leisson there.   The topic will be how to use broadcast, print, and social media for advocacy.  Join us!

What a meeting it was!

Summary to come... soon!  But just briefly: about 30 folks attended, Loren gave great news from NLCOG, Feamula Bradley rocked with advocacy advice, as Jennifer Ruley direct from New Orleans with images of what they've done down-state and we can consider planning to do up here, including examples of bike-ped plans.  But it's all coming!  With pictures!

Meeting Tonight on Converting Drainage Ditches to a Bike-Ped Path Network!

Reminder of the meeting tonight on how to convert our drainage ditches into a network of bike-pedestrian paths! 

We'll be at the Wright Math Building on Centenary's campus, 2907 Woodlawn Ave. from 6:00-7:00. 

Join us!

Here's path along a drainage ditch in Los Angeles. 
Looks like they started with the same thing we've got here in Shreveport.

A Local History Education Organization with Global Aspirations is Off and Running!

In attendance: Maurice Loridans, Susan Keith, Lani Duke, Feico Kempff, Loren Demerath, and Chris Chandler

GRATEFUL FOR GOVERNMENT PARKS

Susan Keith reported on her recent travels to Mertyl Beach and said it was bumper to bumper traffic everywhere all the time there.  She didn’t like the board walks and souveneer shops and crowds.  Two of the three days they didn’t see the beach, since the coast is lined by hotels and condos.  Only when they found the state park could they get access to a beach.  It was noted that a good function of government is to provide the public with general access to those things, as through parks.

On that note, Loren Demerath reported on how well Brown County State Park in Indiana served as the site for his extended family’s recent reunion.  Loren noted that state parks (and federal and city for that matter) are nice for the way you can be in a place that isn’t pushing you to buy stuff and telling you how great everything is since profit isn’t the point.

ADVOCACY TRAINING MEETING NEXT MONDAY!

Loren also announced that the advocacy training meeting will be next week.  Hopefully all who are interested in helping improve bike-ped facilities in Shreveport will attend.  The particular focus will be on advocating for a network of multi-use paths.

SITES FOR A YEAR-ROUND FARMER’S MARKET?

The group discussed possible locations of a year-round farmer’s market.  Feico had the idea of putting it right on the Waddel Truss Bridge (one of only two it’s kind left in the U.S.),  while Maurice favored the site under the Texas Street Bridge right next to free parking provided by two casinos.  The truss bridge sure would have a great view and ought to be used for something.  Seems a great opportunity .  Under the Texas St. bridge has two other things going for it: parking (in the casino lots) and shade.

{Speaking of Farmer’s Markets, no doubt the new one starting up at Provenance will be a topic of conversation at coming meetings.  The more the better?}

THE AMERICAN MILLENIUM PROJECT HAS STARTED... IN SHREVEPORT!

For the main attraction of the night’s meeting, longtime ABetterShreveport attender Chris Chandler presented on his own non-profit organization, the American Millennium Project (with their Facebook page).  It’s a project that offer students of various ages the opportunity to learn history, geography, and culture through adventure travel and field trips, while at the same time developing pride in their locality, and a capacity for leadership.

Chris Chandler speaking at the Rotary
Club of South Shreveport earlier this year

Chris described how the idea started.  His college graduation gift from his grandparents (who raised him, and were of modest means) was a Eur-Rail Pass and a plane ticket to London in 1992.  Traveling by train, he carried a backpack, stayed at hostels, and it was a life changing experience.  When he came back he used the rest of his savings to do the same thing in the U.S. for another three months, traveling by Amtrack.  He said the comparison was night and day: completely different worlds in terms of the quality of facilities for travel; few youth hostels and disgraceful train service by comparison.

Chris later went to a leadership program entitled “Leadership Shreveport-Boosier,” sponsored by his boss, Lee Hall.  Chris also had a son around that time and made a commitment that he’d work on a structure to travel for people like his son by the time he reached high school (and he’s now a senior!).

In January of 2014 the program began.  The American Millenium Project has clubs with teacher sponsors in middle schools, high schools, and colleges.  Chris works with the faculty sponsors to organized field trips.  Chris is primarily using the Rotary Club format as a model, though he's also drawing a bit on the greek social fraternity framework.   There are no paid employees at this point.

The format of the field trips is the “adventure tour,” but there’s service wrapped into it as well.  As part of the tour, students often teach what they’ve learned, in one case to a local Rotary club.

OH, THE TOURS!

Chris has already developed twenty two total tours!  Among the tours: the Caddo Indians, local religions, “the Wild Wild West,” “Duck Pond and Beyond,” “Black Gold Rush,” “Cotton is King,” “Royal Mile,” “Gone but Not Forgotton,” (centered around local cemetaries), “Leaving a Legacy” (the Norton Art Gallery),  just to name a few!

{Nobody asked at the meeting, but now that I’m writing this, the thought occurs to me, couldn’t the rest of the city benefit from these tours too?  Might these tours be enjoyed by those of us not in school anymore?  Hmm.}

LOCAL IN, LOCAL OUT

Based on wherever the school is, students are given a tour within a three to five mile radius around the school.  The idea, Chris said, is to try to break down barriers with these tours.  For example, a lot of the kids who go to Caddo Middle Magnet go through the Cedar Grove neighborhood, but don’t know much about it’s history and culture.

Student members of the project have to complete 10 hours of service each semester, and they pick where they do it.  They also sign a statement of shared values.  And, each member pays dues of $25 per year. 

The organization’s board members include Gary Joiner, Keven Bryan, Ron Anderson, Mary Poteet, Jonathan Fox, Levette Fuller, and Jim Huckabee.

The focus is on Caddo Parish, and then duplicating it from there.

BIG GOALS & EVEN BIGGER ASPIRATIONS!

Chris said the organization has three goals:

• Educate
• Inspire Local Pride
• Develop Leaders

It was noted that all three can be tied to together, in that seeing what others have done in a locale inspires an appreciation for that place, and can stimulate their own thinking as to how they might contribute to it too.

Loren suggested the wording "Leaders" might be changed to "Community Leaders" or "Involved Citizens" as leadership can mean directing people, like being a boss; or leading in something competitive, like the business sense of leading in market share.  Many students we all want to reach can’t necessarily imagine themselves ever being a leader or a boss, but can imagine being a contributer to a community, in that everyone knows they have something to offer. 

Chris said he has a five year plan and a ten year plan, and they’re both ambitious.  Eventually, the organization would… span North and South America!  The group agreed it was ambitious, but nobody suggested Chris was wrong to think big!

NOT REQUESTING GOVERNMENT FUNDS! ...EVER?

The group discussed the funding model, which is to rely strictly on private donations and corporate support and individual investors.  Chris said it’s a philosophical point of view where he thinks people tend to go to the government too often to solve their problems.  Loren said he agrees people can become dependent.  On the other hand, he also sees government as the appropriate place people to go share resources (through taxes) which they ask that their elected representatives distribute on merit.  He, for one, would want his tax dollars used on something like the American Millennium Project.  Loren said his dad once had a bumpersticker specially made and put it on his car that read: “A Mind is a Terrible Thing to Waste.  Raise Our Taxes Please!”  The point being that some things are worth contributing money too, be they schools, roads, national defense, help for the poor, etc.

The group was generally very enthusiastic about Chris’ presentation.  We support you, Chris!

BIG MEETING ON MONDAY!

ABetterShreveport is gathering all the bike-ped advocates in the city to receive advocacy training this Monday, August 11, 6:00-7:00 p.m.  The specific goal we’re setting out sights on is a multi-use trail network to make our city more walkable and bikeable.  Highlights of the meeting will include:

• Advocacy training run by experienced community organizer Feamula Bradley
• A skype session with successful New Orleans bike path planner Janet Ruley
• We'll be sharing very good news based on this week’s meeting of ABS and government leaders in regard to bike-ped facilities

Consider joining us for what should be a great meeting!