Fwd: A GOOD EXAMPLE OF POSITIVE DIALOQUE

From: Charlessands <charlessands@aol.com>
Date: December 17, 2010 8:32:35 AM PST
To: saveevergreenave@gmail.com
Subject: A GOOD EXAMPLE OF POSITIVE DIALOQUE

FYI

A GOOD EXAMPLE OF POSITIVE DIALOQUE

-----Original Message-----
From: Keith Garriott
To: gail taras
Cc: Charlessands Sands <charlessands@aol.com>; Mari Tamburo <drive@avehicleforchange.org>; rhamar <rhamar@marinhorizon.org>; hbrown <hbrown@co.marin.ca.us>; skinsey <skinsey@co.marin.ca.us>; cmcglashan <cmcglashan@co.marin.ca.us>; fmansourian <fmansourian@co.marin.ca.us>; jarnold <jarnold@co.marin.ca.us>; sadams <sadams@co.marin.ca.us>; sschneider <sschneider@co.marin.ca.us>; eklock <eklock@co.marin.ca.us>; bbeaumont <bbeaumont@co.marin.ca.us>
Sent: Fri, Dec 17, 2010 3:01 am
Subject: Re: Send the money back!

Hi Gail,

Safe Routes to Schools is a Federal program. I don't think the
Governor would have much control over what happens to the grant money
if it was sent back.

The money would revert back into the Federal Treasury with the Senate
Finance Committee to decide where to spend it.

I think we should keep this project in place and hopefully DPW will
work with the residents of Evergreen Ave and Homestead Valley to
design us a street improvement plan that serves well for all who
travel this street.

I hope they will review proposed ideas like mine and others that were
sent to DPW for review and consideration.

It's always hard to envision what it will be like when changes are
proposed like this one on our neighborhood street.

It's also true that this street is relatively safe as is...it's just
that MHS wants it a little safer as the prefered route for it's
students to walk and bike to school.

I think it's safe to say that everyone involved in this sidewalk
debate has good intentions for a street improvement plan on Evergreen
Ave. It just has to be worked out like anything that needs to meet the
demands of the many being considered.

Respectfully,

Keith Garriott

On 12/15/10, gail taras  wrote:
> Today, our incoming governor, Jerry Brown, sent out a message warning
> California residents that because of the $28 billion deficit, the new
> budget will be "draconian". Since schools account for the majority of
> the state's budget, they will be hard hit by what is coming. Some
> schools will be closed altogether, programs eliminated, class sizes
> increased. This in addition to what has already happened - tuition
> increases at state colleges and universities, etc. Not to mention the
> elimination of programs to help to the poorest and neediest among us.
> And tax increases for the rest of us.
>
> Evergreen Avenue is one of the safest places on earth. Our neighborhood
> overall is quiet and mellow. People know their neighbors. They walk
> their dogs and stroll their kids down to Whole Foods on Saturday
> afternoon. They stop in the middle of the street and chat with friends
> passing by in cars while their dogs and kids stand or play nearby. I
> honestly can't imagine a "safer route to school" than Evergreen Avenue!
>
> Accidents do happen in this life. My husband's car was crashed into by
> a speeding SUV running a red light in Pacific Heights this week (he's
> okay, but his car is not.) A friend of mine was hospitalized when a car
> jumped the sidewalk in the city and ran her down a few years ago.
> Sometimes planes crash without the help of terrorists. Sometimes whole
> neighborhoods blow up because of a faulty gas line. Sometimes Mt. St.
> Helen's blows! We can't all be 100% safe all the time! But Evergreen is
> the closest I've ever come to it! Think of the kids in SF's Western
> Addition or East Oakland or Richmond who are likely to encounter
> gunfire or a drive-by shooting on their way to school. Where are their
> "safe routes"?
>
> Why  $1,000,000 has to be spent on Evergreen for a sidewalk that so
> many people who live on the street do not even want is a mystery to me!
> It is just unnecessary. There so many other uses for state funds that
> could truly benefit the greater good.
>
> I think the DPW should just send the money back.
>
> Gail Taras
>
>
>