Regions 360
Posted: May 5, 2008
Summit to help guide 'environmental cabinet'
The Charlotte Observer
May 3, 2008
By: Bruce Henderson
Friday's summit at the Charlotte Convention Center will help guide a new regional "environmental cabinet" to be formed by the Centralina and Catawba Regional councils of government, which support local governments in both states.
The environment and transportation knit together the region like nothing else, said Jennifer Roberts, Mecklenburg County commissioners' chairman.
A blitz of speakers set the stage with presentations on air and water quality, waste disposal, open space and green business development. The broad themes: untapped potential and urgency for action.
Elected officials from nine counties and 14 cities heard a sometimes-bleak assessment of the Charlotte region's environmental challenges Friday.
Here's what speakers said about key topics:
To read the complete article, visit the newspaper’s website, http://www.charlotte.com/112/story/607716.html.
Atlanta leaders learn lessons on regionalism in Denver
Denver Business Journal
May 2, 2008
By: Mark Harden
A delegation of about 110 civic leaders from Atlanta on Friday wrapped up a three-day visit to Denver to study its regional approach to solving problems, including its unusual metro-wide tax surcharge for cultural programs and the redevelopment of Aurora's Fitzsimons Army Medical Center.
The Atlanta Regional Commission, a regional planning agency, each year organizes trips by area leaders to other cities to examine solutions to urban problems under what is called the LINK Program (Leadership, Involvement, Networking, Knowledge).
To read the complete article, visit the journal’s website, http://www.bizjournals.com/denver/stories/2008/04/28/daily53.html.
Posted: May 1, 2008
President Elect Steve Cassano Participates in CALCOG’s 15th Annual Regional Issues Forum
California Association of Councils of Governments hosted their 15th Annual Regional Issues Forum in Monterey, CA. The event brought together attendees and speakers from across the country, including NARC President-Elect Steve Cassano. President Elect Cassano speak during the final session, “Transportation Financing.” Details of the event can be found by visiting CALCOG’s website, http://www.calcog.org/events/events.html.
Posted: April 29, 2008
Less resistance to regional planning: City, county leaders discuss cooperative valley solutions
The Modesto Bee
April 28, 2008
Contact Information: Garth Stapley at gstapley@modbee.com
FRESNO -- City and county politicians putting aside selfish interests for the good of a region really is possible, such leaders in the San Joaquin Valley heard Friday at a landmark conference.
Some bristled at the idea of giving up traditional control over growth patterns to give the valley a fighting chance at curbing climate-changing carbon emissions.
To read the complete article, visit The Modesto Bee’s website, by clicking HERE.
Posted: February 8, 2008
Release date: 02/08/2008
Contact Information: Dave Bary or Tressa Tillman at 214-665-2200 or r6press@epa.gov
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EPA recognized the council with a 2007 Commitment Award for its efforts to create new, mixed-use developments in the Wolf Pen Creek corridor through its Brazos Valley Building Healthy Communities Coalition. In addition, the council’s Agency on Aging created a Senior Transportation Program to provide door-to-door rides to senior centers, retail stores and health care facilities for older residents.
The BVCOG was among six other winning communities and government agencies from around the country to receive awards. Two categories of awards were presented. The Commitment Award recognizes communities that have developed and begun to initiate a specific plan to implement smart growth and active aging principles. The Achievement Award is presented for overall excellence in building healthy communities for active aging.
Smart growth involves designing neighborhoods that have shops, offices, schools, churches, parks, and other amenities near homes to give residents and visitors the option of walking, bicycling, taking public transportation, or driving as they go about their business. By adopting smart growth principles, communities can design places that increase mobility and improve quality of life for older adults.
EPA's Aging Initiative program spearheads the multi-agency active aging effort, which was developed in partnership with the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Council on Aging's Center for Healthy Aging, the National Blueprint Office and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, through its Active for Life program.
Additional information on all the active aging award winners is available at: http://www.epa.gov/aging/bhc/awards/2007/index.html.
To learn more about activities in EPA Region 6, please visit http://www.epa.gov/region6.