Click map to see larger image.
The Connecticut Legislature has approved and sent to Governor Rell a 2-year, $12+ million bond act to fund greenway projects in the state (including some specific earmarks). The language of the bill stresses funding projects that are part of the East Coast Greenway. (To read the bill, click here and scroll to section 68.)
It was a great triumph to get this bill passed by the legislature, but unless Governor Rell submits it to the State Bond Commission, nothing will come of it.
We are asking Connecticut residents to contact Governor Rell's office urging her to send the bill on to the Bond Commission. The most effective way is to write a letter, of course; if you don't have the time to do that, we would be delighted if you could place a phone call, or send an email. Some sample text, along with the Governor's contact information, can be found below.
Approval of this bond would truly be a turning point for the ECG in Connecticut. Many miles of trail could be completed, while many more miles could get funding for critical planning and design work. It would send the message to other states that the State of Connecticut is becoming a leader in developing the ECG, and would also create a model for volunteers in other states to follow with their own elected officials.
In short, the East Coast Greenway needs you help right now, and it will only take a few moments to make a big difference.
Governor Rell's contact information:
Mail:
Honorable Jodi Rell
Office of the Governor
State Capitol
210 Capitol Avenue
Hartford, Connecticut 06106
To email your letter to Governor Rell: Governor.Rell@ct.gov
To call the Governor's office: 800-406-1527
Feel free to copy this sample text into your own letter or email:
Dear Governor Rell:
I am writing to urge you to submit P.A. 07-07 to the Connecticut State Bond Commission.
Section 68 of that act is critical to the development of our statewide greenway system. These trails are becoming more and more important to our transportation system, as safe routes for people to commute on, leading to reduced roadway congestion and air pollution. They are also of increasing important as recreational facilities, sorely needed in this age of expanding obesity rates. Finally, an integrated network of multi-use trails, such as the state's portion of the East Coast Greenway, will attract more bicycle and hiking tourists to our state.
Again, please submit P.A. 07-07 to the Bond Commission. The $12 million investment in our state's greenway network will benefit the citizens of Connecticut for many generations to come.
Sincerely,
Name
Address
City, State Zip
Twelve segments of the Greenway have been officially designated
in Connecticut:
Click here to go to the new South West Regional Planning Agency's new web site.
For more on what's happening in the CT cycling world, including current ways you can make a difference in Connecticut, visit www.wecyclect.org.
Read a newspaper article about Connecticut Senators Dodd & Lieberman riding a tandem bicycle on the the Charter Oak Greenway!
For more information on the Connecticut ECG committee, contact:
Bill O'Neill
525 Gardner St
Manchester, CT 06040
860-614-5368
| CONNECTICUT | ||||
| Marguerite Kelly & Tony Barrett; 1999 | Dick & Alice Blake; 2000 | Leave a place better than you found it - David Ellis & Alice Huang, Wallingford, CT; 2000 | Michael & Joanne Fontana; 2000 | Glenn & Cheryl Forest; 2000 |
| It's not too late - F & JT; 2000 | Susan & Mike Maturo; 2000 | Dr. David F. & Amy E. Mazurek; 2000 | Dan & Norma McGuire; 2000 | Carol & Bill O'Neill; 2000 |
| Paul Saubestre; 2000 | In loving memory of Charles J. Steinbugler, 1919-1999; 2000 | The Bike Shop, Inc; 2000 | To Kristie & Hope; 2000 | Fred & Jan Tullock; 2000 |
| Nathan Watkins-Hoagland; 2000 | Erik Wehtje, Greenwich, CT; 2000 | Barbara & Chip Angle; 2001 | Chris & Reed Cass; 2001 | Loraine M. Duclos; 2001 |
| For Kailyn Marshall; 2001 | Frank, Paula, Sandro and Marco, Hamden, CT; 2001 | Emma Gould; 2001 | In memory of Jim Misuraca; 2001 | Stan & Eva Jakuba; 2001 |
| Peter Osborne - Bicyclist; 2001 | Our tandem - "Bertha" - allows to be "one together in love" - Bob & Bev Grimm; 2 miles; 2001 | Dick Garland; 2002 | Manchester Road Race; 50 miles; 2002 | Beth O'Neill; 7 miles; 2001 |
| Tim O'Neill; 2001 | Peter Osborne, Bicyclist; 2002 | Dedicated to: Adithya, Carla, Cindy, Damary, Jeremy, Justin, & Sylvia of Village School for their hard work raising money for the trail; 2002 | William M. Suchomel Passage; 2002 | Heather Watkins-Shepherd Love and Peace; 2002 |
| EA Aschenbrenner & John Fortunato; 2003 | Roy, Anne, Keith & Jeffrey Bobowick; 2003 | Joyful Journey; 2003 | Mr. & Mrs. Anthony DeQuattro; 2003 | Dan & Cheryl Dunson; 2003 |
| Friends of the Wethersfield & Rocky Hill Paths; 2 miles; 2003 | Linda Heuitson; 2003 | Stephen Hull; 2003 | Joyce Guzowski; 2003 | Have Fun! The Kelly Family, Waterbury, CT; 2003 |
| The Lustick Family - Enjoy!; 2003 | Manchester Road Race Committee; 2 miles; 2003 | Ceseli Milstein; 2003 | Dave & Jodi Nafis; 2003 | Joe O'Neill; 2003 |
| Elyssa Schwendy; 2003 | Ben Schwendy; 2003 | Carolyn Schwendy; 2003 | Evan O'Neill; 2003 | Memory of Raymond F. & Mary O'Neill; 2003 |
| Richard Orr & Cindy Courtney; 2003 | John & Carol Paterson; 2003 | Goldsmith's - Fairfield, CT; 2003 | William Tallman; 2003 | Evan & Susan Tilley; 2003 |
| Joe Barber; 2004 | In Memory of Jack Barrows, CT; 2004 | Deanne Born/Dennis Golbesky; 2004 | Christine & Reed Cass; 4 miles; 2004 | Dave Chase; 2004 |
| R. Kingsbury Chase; 2004 | Michael & Joanne Fontana; 2004 | Bernie French; 2004 | Tom Hines; 2004 | Barry & Pat Lawrence; 2004 |
| Linda Lennox; 2004 | Jacqueline Lyon; 2004 | A.J.M.; 2004 | Manchester Road Race Committee; 25 miles; 2004 | Mary Ellen & Jim Marpe; 2004 |
| Matthews & Stack vacation getaway; 2004 | To Cecilia with love from Mom & Dad; 2004 | To Charlotte with love from Mom & Dad; 2004 | Richard Szczypek; 2004 | Thomas & Diane Vorio; 2004 |
| Bike for a Better America - Joe Barber; 2005 | Dave, Chris & Tessa Butterworth; 2005 | Victoria Carmona; 2005 | Enjoy the Ride!; 2005 | Jerome Czech; 2005 |
| Lenny Goldberg; 2005 | Richard Gribko, Sr.; 2005 | Terry & Alan Hershey; 2005 | Barbara & Raymond Jacobson; 2005 | Bicycling - a wonderful way to see the world!; 2005 |
| Alvin Lucier; 2005 | Ann Louise Reuther Onton; 2005 | In loving memory of Paul Orosz; 2005 | Adam E. Perrin; 2005 | Jim & Betsy Regan; 2005 |
| Torey Ungerland; 2005 | David & Susan Wakefield; 2005 | Scotty Wallace; 2005 | I love Mandy Jordan; 2005 | Car culture killing you? Ride a bike - Joe Barber, Hartford, CT; 2006 |
| Dedicated to Andy Castelano; 2006 | Ann Dunnack; 2006 | In memory of Jim Hays, Mt. Laurel Skiers; 2006 | Bill Graustein; 2006 | Keep Going; 2006 |
| Ride for Life - Dave & Sue Scheel; 2006 | Robert & Ann Killheffer; 2006 | Enjoy the Views - Larry & Judy Olsen; 2006 | Ride Strong - The Stoane Family; 2006 | Pedal the East for Health and Peace. Joe Barber, Hartford, CT; 2007 |
| Kevin Glick & Rebecca Hatcher; 2007 | Lenny & Joe's Fish Tail; 2007 | The Puddicombe Family; 2007 | Enjoy & preserve these treasures; 2007 | David Warner; 2007 |
| In loving memory of John A. Cermola Jr, 8/21/1955-12/19/2007 | Cheryl Champagne - "Walk softly on our Earth Mother"; 2007 | Tom Hines; 2007 | In loving memory of Peter Vicinanza; 2007 | Jeff & Mary Rose McGregor; 2007 |
| Happy Trails - CAS; 2007 | In loving memory of Peter Vicinanza; 2007 | Sparkowski - Ed "Sparks will fly"; 2007 | This section of the East Coast Greenway is lovingly dedicated to my husband, Peter Vicinanza; 2007 | Keep on Truckin!; 2007 |
| Gail & Matthew Spaeder; 2008 |
East Coast Greenway® is a registered trademark of the East Coast Greenway Alliance, Inc., a non-profit organization. Donations to the East Coast Greenway Alliance are tax-deductible.