Eastern Trail
News

April 2004 EASTERN TRAIL FANTASTIC NEWS

In this ETA news summary :
  - Contract signed to build ET across Scarborough Marsh to open in fall 2004
  - Congressman Allen: Committee OK’s $1 million in additional ET funds 
  - ETA Dining Fundraiser 
  - Annual Meeting to feature Scarborough Marsh
  - Maine Games- ETA Cross-Country Race Fundraiser 
  - ETA Outings
  - Alternative Transportation Day in Saco 
  - And more ….

Scarborough Marsh ET Construction It’s a GO
Eastern Trail Management District signed a contract on 25 March with CPM Constructors of Freeport to build the Eastern Trail across Scarborough Marsh.  This will be the first section of the Off-Road Eastern Trail to be built by the Eastern Trail Management District. Construction will begin with a formal ground breaking ceremony planned for 19 May. CPM will complete the project, including a new bridge over the Dunstan River, for 2004 fall foliage outings. This section will connect Black Point Road with Pine Point Road, both in Scarborough. 

A 12-foot wide multi-use bridge will cross the Dunstan River along the Old Eastern Rail Corridor not far from the Maine Audubon Nature Center. Currently at the Dunstan River Crossing, the Scarborough Sanitary District maintains a steel-frame pipe support structure for its forced sewer main and Granite State Gas Transmission a second pipe support structure for its gas pipeline. An agreement has been reached with Granite State Gas Transmission to relocate its gas pipe to the underside of the new bridge, while the Sanitary District continues to work closely with the Management District to determine if the sewer line will move to the new bridge or remain on its current structure. 

CPM’s past projects include the bridge to connect Maine Turnpike with Portland’s jetport, and the RT. 302 bridge over the Connecticut River connecting Vermont and New Hampshire. See http://www.cpmconstructors.com/ We are delighted to have CPM on the ET team. 

Congressman Allen: Additional $1 Million for ET Construction
Last week Congressman Allen announced that $1 million for Eastern Trail construction has been included by the House Committee for Transportation Enhancement
funding. Ask Senators Collins and Snowe, long-time ET supporters, to provide Senate support. THANK YOU Congressman Allen!

Support ETA Send $50 
Neither State, nor federal trail funds can be used to support the ETA. ETA needs to make its annual $5,000 payment to support the Eastern Trail Management
District. ETA needs to pay insurance bills, printing bills, Web fees, and a long list of other expenses. ETA needs YOUR support to help ETA support YOUR
trail. Please, please, today, mail a check for $50,or whatever you can to ETA, PO Box 250, Saco, Maine 04072. 

ETA Dining Fundraiser Wednesday evening April 21 
Dine at Cherie's Bistro in Kennebunk. Cherie’s will donate 10% of its evening income to the ETA. This repeats ETA’s January successful fundraiser arranged by Jeanne Peckiconis. To reach Cherie’s follow Rt. 1 SOUTH from downtown Kennebunk. Just after crossing the Mousam River follow High street RIGHT toward Sanford. Cherie’s, at 7 High St., is on your RIGHT within 200 feet of Rt. 1. For reservations, phone: (207) 985-1248. Park in back. 

Annual Members Meeting Features Scarborough Marsh - Thursday 6 May 6:30 PM.  Scarborough Library on Rt. 114. One-half mile from Rt. 1. Former Maine DOT Commissioner, Roger Mallar, who serves as treasurer and photographer for Friends of Scarborough Marsh will be ETA’s featured speaker. Learn what to see when the ET crosses Scarborough Marsh. Get a construction update.  Goodies, information, meet your trustees. A fun time. 

ETA Trustee Tom Daley, who has been working to protect Scarborough Marsh and the ET corridor for 20 years, and Audubon Nature Tour Leader Jim Thorne will lead an optional 4:30 guided marsh tour prior to the meeting. Their walk will begin at Maine Audubon’s nature center on the Pine Point Road. 

Maine Games- ETA Fundraising Race - Saturday 12 June
ETA and Maine Games inaugurate ETA’s first 5K race and the 2004 Maine Games. ETA Secretary & Boston Marathon runner Bob LaNigra, in cooperation with
Executive Director of Maine Games Jeff Scully will host this entirely off-road race at South Portland’s Wainwright Farm Athletic Fields. See
www.MaineGames.Org for more information and to register.

ETA Outings
Ethan Davis, ETA VP and Outings Chair, offers lots of spring and summer outings. See www.EasternTrail.Org and check out the rides for all levels. Samples: 

Alternative Transportation Day in Saco: Sunday April 18
See electric and hybrid cars, recumbent bikes, at least one velomobile, entertainment, refreshments, transportation information and videos. Noon to 4:00 pm. at Dyer Library parking lot, 371 Main St., Saco. 

Saco Mayor Mark Johnston warns that if the proposed tax-cap referendum passes this November, then all municipalities will be forced to end their financial support of the ET Management District. He predicted the same fate for the Saco River Corridor Commission. 

Young 60+ ETA help needed
The average age of 100’s of volunteers at Owls Head Transportation Museum is 75 years old. If you are over 60, help ETA. We need help with exhibits, fundraising, PR, membership growth, ,mailings, outings, lobbying, and more. We train. Half of ETA’s trustees are retired engineers or teachers. They are young and making this a better world. FMI call John Andrews, 67 at 282-1979, or send e-mail to JAndrews@GWI.Net. 

Obesity’s Dangerous Toll - Julie L. Gerberding, CDC Director 
Why do you need the ET?
Americans' sedentary lifestyle and poor eating habits are poised to overtake smoking as the nation's leading cause of preventable deaths, according to a report released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Obesity is catching up to tobacco as the leading cause of death in America. If this trend continues, it will soon overtake tobacco," said Julie L. Gerberding, director of the CDC. Based on current trends, obesity will become America’s number one killer by 2005, leading to over 500,000 deaths a year.

"Americans need to understand that overweight and obesity are literally killing us," said Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy G. Thompson in a statement. "To know that poor eating habits and inactivity are on the verge of surpassing tobacco use as the leading cause of preventable death in America should motivate all Americans to take action to protect their health. We need to tackle America's weight issues as aggressively as we are addressing smoking and tobacco." Visit here to see the new HHS public service campaign to combat obesity, and here to learn about small steps you can take to control your weight.

An unprecedented majority of American adults (64%) are overweight or obese due to sedentary lifestyles and unhealthy diet and exercise habits; 15% of kids 6-19 are also overweight or obese. Studies show that people who are overweight or obese have a greater chance of developing high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, high cholesterol and certain cancers. The total direct and indirect costs, including medical costs and lost productivity, amount to $117 billion each year. Support the ET; improve community health. Courtesy bikeleague@bikeleague.org

ETA Trustee Meetings
ETA Trustees meet each 2nd Monday in the ETA office at 7:00 P.M Room 1214, 1st Floor 110 Main St., Saco. You’re welcome.  (Please park at Saco Amtrak. Walk downhill toward Biddeford about 200 feet. Enter center door. Go to Doyle Enterprises, room 1214.)

Help Create the ET, Join ETA 
Click here to complete the certified-secure membership application. Enjoy the newsletter and Alliance outings. Your membership can make a difference. If there are no ETA members, there will be no ET. 

A highway takes your car to the country, a greenway your mind. 
- Charles Little

Call us (207.284.9260) or e-mail the ETA office