Hundreds Celebrate COG's 50th Anniversary
Hundreds of the area's top elected officials, as well as civic and business leaders, joined COG on November 15 at the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium to celebrate five decades worth of regional cooperation and partnership. "This is a marvelous organization that has made a difference in so many ways during the past 50 years," said Carol Schwartz, District of Columbia Council Member At Large and 50th Anniversary Committee Chair. Other speakers at COG's 50th Anniversary Gala included Tim Kaine, Virginia Governor; James Moran, U.S. Congressman; Vincent Gray; Council of the District of Columbia Chair; Gerry Connolly, Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman; Michael Knapp, Montgomery County Council Vice President; and Dr. Jacqueline Brown, Prince George's County Chief Administrative Officer. COG's legacy of regional cooperation was also recognized in an editorial by The Washington Post.
COG Commemorative Book Published
A Half Century of Regional Partnership – COG Celebrates 50 Years is a special publication produced in recognition of the 50th Anniversary. It chronicles the interwoven history of COG and the metropolitan Washington area. The publication also highlights the outcomes of a major policy forum held in May 2007, Charting the Future of the National Capital Region, that will shape COG regional policies and priorities for many years.
Arlington County Board Member Jay Fisette Honored as Regional Leader of the Year
Arlington County Board Member Jay Fisette was honored at COG's 50th Anniversary Gala for his leadership and dedication to regionalism. Fisette was selected for the 2007 Elizabeth and David Scull Award for his efforts to advance long term growth and transportation solutions that include greater private and civic involvement. Takoma Park former Mayor Kathy Porter was honored with a special award for her remarkable career in public service, including leadership of several COG committees on issues such as transportation programs for people with disabilities. The Alice Ferguson Foundation received COG’s Regional Partnership Award for its dedication to cleaning the region's waterways.
Corporate Officers Appointed for 2008
Redella S. Pepper, City of Alexandria Council Member, will serve as COG President in 2008 after being elected by COG during the 50th Anniversary Gala. Adrian Fenty, D.C. Mayor, and Alan Imhoff, City of Frederick Alderman will serve as Vice Presidents. Judith Davis, City of Greenbelt Mayor, will serve as Secretary-Treasurer. In addition to corporate officers, the COG Board will appoint a chair and two vice chairs at its January meeting.
Demonstration Highlights Need for Pedestrians, Drivers to Pay Close Attention
More than 80 pedestrians have been killed in traffic crashes across the region in 2007, a trend the TPB's Street Smart Campaign is working to reverse. As part of the campaign, regional law enforcement officials held a demonstration in November to highlight the need for drivers and pedestrians to pay close attention to one another. The demonstration showcased the lengthy distances required for vehicles to come to a halt at different speeds. It also highlighted the need for walkers and bikers to exercise particular caution around large vehicles by featuring numerous blind spots around buses and trucks.
Transportation Programs Honored
Two of the TPB's newest programs received accolades in November for helping disadvantaged populations and for encouraging transit-oriented development. The Coordinated Human Services Transportation Plan, which sets funding priorities for two federal transportation programs that help people with disabilities, older adults, and low-income individuals, was selected by the Association of Metropolitan Planning Organizations for an honorable mention. The Transportation/Land Use Connections program, meanwhile, was honored by the National Capital Chapter of the American Planning Association for helping jurisdictions better coordinate growth patterns with transportation infrastructure.
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