Hello Neighbors,
I don’t know about
you but it sure feels good to have the days getting longer and know that spring
(along with more walking and biking opportunities!!) is just around the corner.
Mark the date for our next meeting:
March 3, 6:30 at the Harris Library
1. TE Proposal
TE Proposal has been
submitted to the state for consideration. It is unknown at this time when the
State will notify communities of awards as Governor Daniels continues his
reorganization of departments. This is an opportunity to delve deeper into
areas of interest and garner further support.
2. Historical Areas in Granger
Thanks to Mike and
Deb Wheeler for attending the meeting and pointing out that there are
historical homes and sites along with native trees on Adams road that need to
be taken into account as we move forward with the project. These sites will be
explored further and offer an excellent opportunity for us all to learn more
about our community. Catherine
Hostetler of the Historic Preservation Commission has also been in contact and
has offered her assistance.
3. Survey Results:
We have tallied 139 surveys to date with more arriving
daily. To date, 94% are for multiuse paths, 3.5% are not. A detailed breakdown
will be available at a future date.
The Survey Committee recommended that we continue to
circulate the survey as it has brought in some excellent suggestions from
community members, and does promote interest in the project.
An updated (shorter, 2-page) version of the survey is now
available. If you would like a copy to
distribute but haven’t received one please contact Barbara.
An on-line version of the survey will also be
available. A link to the on-line survey
will be placed on the Granger paths website.
4. Promoting the project
Speaking of promoting
interest in the project--- for all of you who have asked to be kept abreast of
developments we would ask for your help in getting the word out to your
neighbors and friends by sending them a little blurb via your email. Here is a
suggested format that Tom Jordon has sent out to his list:
Wouldn't it be nice to be able to walk
or ride your bike with your children to the public library or
to recreational activities, church or to shops and stores?
Wouldn't it be nice to be able to get some healthy, outdoor exercise without
fighting and worrying about cars and trucks? Would you like to see
Granger build an identity and have a greater sense of community?
There is a committee of Harris Township
residents that has been working on Pedestrian Biking/Walking/Running trails for
Harris Township. The following link will take you to the Granger Trails
website. http://grangerpaths.typepad.com/
There is information on what the trails
committee has been doing, a survey to get your opinion, maps of some ideas of
where the trails could go, ways to contact people working on the trails and
when there are meetings. The website also lists several ways
that you can pitch in to help.
Yes, this can cost some money.
One of the tasks of the committee has been to find ways to fund this
endeavor. The committee has put together a proposal for an
80/20 grant that was submitted at the end of January. We need to
develop more ideas to raise money. Do you have any ideas?
We can use your help spreading the
word about this effort to connect Granger and provide safe, healthy and
educational means of transportation for all ages. Please forward this on
to your friends and neighbors and to your neighborhood associations to post at
their websites. Someone from the committee would be glad to come to your
neighborhood association meeting to give a presentation. Please
consider volunteering to help as well. Once again, there is contact
information at the website or you can call Barbara Fredman at 243-1747.
Please help spread the word if you
would like to see this effort become reality.
Thank you,
Tom Jordan - Granger Trails Committee participant
Please feel free to
use this email or to alter it to fit your style. Tom has also put together a Powerpoint presentation, which
includes some of the maps and sketches along with a project overview. This presentation is available for anyone
who might want to use it to speak to a group, homeowners’ association, etc.
Another suggestion
was made that we get the surveys out to the scout troops and other kids clubs
in our community. Anyone with a child that belongs to a troop let us know if
you wish to give out some surveys. PTOs are another opportunity.
5. Safety Report:
John Underhill
received detailed information from the State police on accident rates within
the state that will be passed on to MACOG as the project continues.
Memorial Hospital has
agreed to work with us in educating adults and children on safe walking and
bike riding habits and rules. The committee will contact them to assist in
putting on a program.
6. Tax-exempt status:
Brenda Tipper went
over results of project becoming a tax-exempt entity. Reasons to become
tax-exempt include:
1) Ability to apply
for private grants that require projects with tax-exempt status
2) Ability to do
fundraising and give individuals that tax benefit when they contribute.
However becoming a
tax exempt organization on our own would require a non-trivial upfront
investment of at least $300 in addition to a significant investment in time to
develop organization by-laws, statement of purpose, board structure, articles
of incorporation, etc. These would also
likely require legal review to ensure compliance with tax-exempt legislation.
It was suggested that
the committee contact some area tax-exempt organizations to see if we would
qualify under their status.
Any individuals with
any experience filling out tax-exempt paperwork are urged to contact the
committee.
7. Committee update
A number of people at
the meeting volunteered to help out with some of the committees that have been
set up. However, additional volunteers
are still needed and can always be accommodated. These committees will be doing the work to keep moving the
project forward. A list of the committees can be found here. Please contact Barbara
if you are interested in helping out with one of the committees.
As you can see there are many opportunities to volunteer for and to help
out with this project. You can send out information to your friends, give out a
few surveys, fill out paperwork, make some phone calls. Not all of these
require attending a meeting or any ongoing commitment beyond sending an email
and speaking with your neighbors. And
all of these would be extremely helpful.
