Board Chair Welcomes Guests at NARC Conference
To the elected officials of COG, challenge is an opportunity, COG Board Chair Vincent C. Gray told guests of the National Association of Regional Council's 2007 National Conference of Regions. Gray opened the conference with welcoming remarks on behalf of the District of Columbia, where he serves as council chair. "Our regional council...has been a catalyst for change and a tool to improve the quality of life in the National Capital Region," he said of his work with COG. The three-day annual conference brought together public officials from around the country to discuss issues of regional importance in metropolitan areas, such as economic development, water resources and transportation projects.
February Board Meeting Cancelled for First Time Since 9/11
The region's officials worked together to keep local governments running smoothly through the area's most disruptive weather emergency since last summer's fierce rain storms. COG -- like its member governments -- maintained normal business hours through the winter storm
that caused traffic delays and left thousands without power. Only the Board of Directors February meeting was cancelled for the first time since the tragic events of 9/11. In March, the Board will meet 30 minutes early to discuss several important agenda items that were originally scheduled for the February meeting.
Van Hollen Helps Kickoff Student Action Committee
Maryland Congressman Chris Van Hollen joined 20 local high school students at a kickoff ceremony for the new
"Trash Free by 2013" Student Action Committee. The committee, sponsored by COG and the Alice Ferguson Foundation, allows the students to take a leadership role in efforts to clean the Potomac Watershed. Students were selected for their high level of motivation and interest in creating public awareness.
Clean Air Partners Turns Ten
Clean Air Partners, the public-private partnership serving the metropolitan Washington and Baltimore areas, is celebrating its tenth anniversary this year. The partnership
has sponsored outreach campaigns to educate the public on air pollution and its health effects, and has motivated
employers and residents to
do their part in improving air quality. Clean Air Parnters' latest projects include developing a business
roundtable, creating an air
quality science curriculum for
sixth grade students, and
redesigning its web site.
Outreach Meetings Garner Feedback on Transportation Study
COG and the Transportation Planning Board are gathering feedback from government officials and citizens groups on future transportation development and land use patterns. In February, COG and TPB staff made presentations to the Montgomery County Council and the National Capital Planning Commission and conducted interactive outreach forums in Rockville and Suitland. March outreach sessions will include events in Alexandria and Reston. These outreach activities are focused on the TPB's Regional Mobility and Accessibility Study, which examines transportation and land use changes that would help decrease congestion and increase transit use, walking, and biking. COG and TPB staff are documenting feedback from these outreach sessions and will present a report to the TPB in June or July.
