EVENTLINE
January 2011
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FEATURE_____________________________

TMACOG is on Facebook
TMACOG is stepping into the social media scene with a new Facebook page. We’ll be posting timely news, links to registration sites, photos of events and other news. If you have a Facebook account, search for Toledo Metropolitan Area Council of Governments and click on the “like” button to stay in touch. Or go to the TMACOG webpage and click on the Facebook icon.

Register Soon for the January 26 General Assembly

Registration is now available for TMACOG’s annual General Assembly to be held Wednesday, January 26 at the Holiday Inn French Quarter in Perrysburg. Click here to register and to see the complete agenda. All TMACOG members are invited to attend the annual business meeting, participate in election of leadership, and chose committee assignments. We have an interesting program of workshops and speakers planned...more

TRANSPORTATION_____________________

ODOT Studies Seek Investment to Support Economic Development
ODOT is concurrently launching 14 studies to recommend transportation investments that will enhance economic development opportunities in the state. Four of the studies that will impact northwest Ohio are:...more

Next Steps: 2035 Plan – Update 2011

All public input on the long range transportation plan will be reviewed at the TMACOG Transportation Planning Committee meeting Tuesday, January 18. During late 2010, the general public and local governments were invited to comment via public meetings, surveys in all area libraries, and an online survey. The committee plans to present the final draft project list to the TMACOG Transportation Council on Wednesday, March 2 at 3 p.m. This meeting will be open to the public and further comment can be made then. For more information, including the current version of the draft 2035 Plan – Update 2011, see www.tmacog.org/onthemove.htm.

Still Time to Comment
Until January 13, TMACOG is gathering public comment on the update to the region’s long range transportation plan. Interested people are invited to go here for more information on the plan and to this link to comment.

Contractor Selected for Safety Study
The rate of vehicle crashes causing fatalities has been steadily dropping in Ohio, at least partially due to ODOT programs to identify and address high crash locations. However vehicle accident deaths still exceed 1,000 people per year. Ongoing programs address road safety in the state and regionally. TMACOG recently selected Mannik & Smith to complete a regional safety report for Lucas and Wood counties. The two-county study is intended to complement (not duplicate) the Safety Work Program already developed by ODOT that focuses on freeways, state, and U.S. routes for ODOT District Two...more

Timing for Federal Transportation Legislation Uncertain
by Warren Henry, vice president of Transportation, TMACOG

Following the November election, the timing for the extension of the surface transportation bill and the U.S. DOT Fiscal Year 2011 budget are very much in question. The following information is compiled from the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), the National Association of Regional Councils (NARC), and the Kiplinger Letter....more

ENVIRONMENT________________________

Workshop: Management of Water and Sewer Utilities
TMACOG invites mayors of small communities, members of village councils, and people serving on boards of public utilities to attend a full-day workshop about financial aspects of water and sewer utilities...more

Portage River Canoe/Kayak Water Trail Access
Right now, there is limited public access of any kind along the Portage River and no structured access points where a person could safely load in a canoe or kayak...more

Scrap Yard Pollution Prevention Project
TMACOG’s Environmental Planning staff and the City of Toledo will be working together for the next two years on a program to reduce pollution from scrap yards in the city. With a grant from U.S. EPA Pollution Prevention Program , the program will inventory scrap yards in the Ottawa River watershed and evaluate and rank facilities based on the likelihood that they are contributing to runoff pollution....more

NEWS__________________________________

Orient yourself to TMACOG Resources

All TMACOG members, particularly those who are newly elected in their jurisdictions or who have new committee assignments at TMACOG, are invited to attend an informal orientation session at TMACOG offices on Thursday, February 10, 4-6 p.m. This is an opportunity to learn about the resources available to you at TMACOG, to meet with staff, and to meet with fellow members. The brief program will include a review of TMACOG electronic resources, an outline of the TMACOG mission and members’ roles, and concrete examples of the benefits of your TMACOG membership. We’ll also have an entertaining tour of the two floors of TMACOG offices (you might want to brush up on your map reading skills for the tour). There is no formal registration required but please contact Executive Secretary Jennifer Allen to rsvp: 419.241.9155 ext. 107.

Request for Information for the Directory of Public Officials
TMACOG staff members are in the middle of an annual update to produce the 2011 Directory of Public Officials. If you have received a request to confirm information for your jurisdiction, please return it promptly so that we can publish the most accurate information possible.

This comprehensive reference manual provides contact information for elected officials in 15 counties of northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan as well as information on state and federal agencies, social service agencies, schools, media, and more. There are more than 4,000 entries which are all reviewed each year. The new directory will be distributed in March. The Directory of Public Officials is a benefit of membership in TMACOG. Extra copies can be purchased by members at $50 each. Non-members may purchase the directory for $150.

Member Highlight
Toledo Area Regional Transit Administration


Public transit is a critical part of a metropolitan transportation system. For people in our region who don’t drive, public transit is how to get to work, school, and everywhere else. For anyone concerned with reducing fossil fuel use, a well-integrated public transit system makes commuting more efficient and “greener.”...more

Share A Ride and Save For the Weekend

Go to sharearide.org to find a carpool partner. You can save gas and money for the weekend by carpooling during the week. It’s easy to do and you’ll see immediate savings. Share A Ride is a free, computerized matching service that helps commuters in northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan find carpool partners for work or school.

Copyright © 2011 Toledo Metropolitan Area Council of Governments

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TMACOG's Student Watershed Watch Student Summit
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Upcoming Events
2011 General Assembly
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Holiday Inn French Quarter, Perrysburg