Knapp Elected COG Board Chair
COG elected Montgomery County Council President Michael Knapp as chair of its Board of Directors. Fairfax County Supervisor Penelope Gross and District of Columbia Councilmember At-Large Kwame Brown will serve as vice chairs. Knapp announced the COG Board policy focus and priorities for 2008 will include growth, housing, and climate change. He has been an active member of COG since his election to the Montgomery County Council in 2002. In 2006, Knapp served as chair of the Transportation Planning Board.
COG Counts Area Homeless Population
On January 24, 2008, COG conducted its eighth annual enumeration of the region’s homeless population. In 2007, COG tallied 11,762 homeless persons in the National Capital Region and 4,696 formerly homeless individuals who resided in some form of permanent supportive housing, which was the first decline in three years. In addition to the count, homeless persons are given a survey to determine where they reside, in which jurisdiction they have received supportive services, and for how long have they stayed at those support facilities. Results of this year’s survey will also inform area planners on the effects of the housing downturn and foreclosures in the region. The count was featured in an article by The Washington Post as well as several other media outlets.
COG Board Urges Licensing Standards for Teen Drivers
As automobile accidents continue to claim the lives of area teenagers, the COG Board of Directors approved a resolution urging the District of Columbia, State of Maryland, and Commonwealth of Virginia to enact laws that meet minimum regional standards regarding the licensing of young drivers. The Board also urged local governments and school systems to better inform students and parents about the licensing laws for young drivers. The resolution was featured in a story by ABC7 News. (full video clip available on ABC7 site)
TPB Approves 2007 Plan, Releases 2008 Projects for Public Comment
The region’s Transportation Planning Board approved its 2007 long-range plan, which included High Occupancy Toll (HOT) lanes on I-95/I-395 and spot improvements to I-66 inside the Beltway. The TPB also released for public comment a list of projects to be considered for the 2008 plan like the Columbia Pike Streetcar, which would run from Pentagon City in Arlington to Skyline in Fairfax County. In addition, it contains all transportation improvements related to the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) Act such as improved access to Fort Belvoir Engineering Proving Grounds and National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda.
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