Eastern Trail
News

August 2003 EASTERN TRAIL NEWS

- MDOT Bond Your help urgently needed 
- Irving Oil Grant
- Eastern Trail-a-Thon 2003
- ETA Bike Ride on North Haven Island
- Next ETA Trustees Meeting

MDOT Bond HELP!
Governor Baldacci has called a special session of the Legislature for August 21. The Maine DOT bond for this November's election was not approved during the regular session. The ET urgently needs you to contact your legislators to support the MDOT bond and to include support for trails. 

The latest info from BCM Director Jeff Miller is that the original $2 million for biking and walking has been cut drastically. Two proposals are getting the most consideration. We encourage you to advocate for the larger, $62.5 million package that preserves $1.1 million for Biking and Walking with a federal match of $4 million. It is a heck of a cut, but it may be our most realistic option. The second proposal drops biking and walking funding to only $500,000 and we loose $2 million in Federal Funds! This is federal funding dedicated to projects like biking and walking and can not be directed elsewhere in Maine...it would simply be our tax $ going to another state. it is important you contact your legislators at home in the next several days. To find your legislator by the town, go to 
http://janus.state.me.us/house/reps.htm and http://www.state.me.us/legis/senate/

Irving Oil Grant
Irving Oil Company most generously donated $5,000 to the ETA. It's timely. We just paid our $5,000 Management District dues. Support our sponsors: Fill up at Irving. 

Eastern Trail-a-Thon 2003
Save Saturday October 4 for Eastern Trail-a-Thon. Kevin Dawson  is looking for a more trip leaders especially for short, easy trips for families and kids. For current list of outings and more details see: http://www.easterntrail.org/etatat03.htm

ETA Bike Ride on North Haven Island
Thursday August 21, 25-mile bike ride on paved island roads. Contact leader: John Andrews, Jandrews@GWI.Net. 

Next ETA Trustees Meeting
Second Monday of each month. August 11, Sept. 8, etc. at 146 Main St., Saco, second floor conference room. There's an elevator. You are always welcome.  Meetings begin at 7 P.M. We plan to end by 8:30 P.M. Check the Web page for possible schedule changes. 

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