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April 2009 Membership Meeting
About 25 members and guests attended the April 2009 membership meeting and dinner at the Pompeii Italian Grill and Restaurant in San Antonio. Chapter President Jon Simms welcomed everyone and led the group with the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. Harry Reese, Member of the Board of Directors, led in prayer, followed by Simms' introduction of guests. After a delicious lunch, Simms asked for nominations for the upcoming chapter election and reminded all of the upcoming deadlines for scholarship applications and chapter award nominations. Next he introduced special guest speaker, Mr. Scott Ericksen, Bexar County Metropolitan Planning Organization. photo & bio link
Mr. Ericksen presented how the stimulus package money will be used in Bexar County, as well as what plans are being developed to ensure County roads and highways will be ready for the huge population increases anticipated by the year 2035. He explained than a Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) is responsible for a continuous transportation planning process. More than just planning road/highway construction, the Bexar County MPO is involved in the VIA Metropolitan Transit, a "Rideshare" program, sidewalks, commuter and freight rail and large truck traffic. Ericksen said the Bexar County population is expected to increase by 600,000 by the year 2035, making it necessary to plan and expand and increase the efficiency of all modes of transportation throughout Bexar and neighboring counties. Congestion, he said, requires considering more than the cost of lost time sitting in traffic--compliance with the Clean Air Act, which sets limits on how much of a pollutant can be in the air. Our issue in San Antonio is ground level Ozone.
Ericksen shifted his presentation towards the Federal Economic Stimulus Package and how the MPO plans to use the $25 million allotted to Bexar County. Projects include highway construction/expansion on Jones Maltsberger, Salado Creek, Eagleland, 36th Street and US 281 "Superstreet." There is no "Silver Bullet" to solve Bexar County's transportation problems, he said, indicating that funding remains a problem for needed projects.
Simms presented Ericksen with an NDTA pen set, as a token of appreciation for her outstanding presentation. (photo link)
Mike Kadivnik, FedEx, won the 50-50 drawing, however, he generously donated his winnings to the Chapter scholarship fund resulting in a total of $36.00 to the fund. Thanks to Chet Teel, Member of the Board of Directors, for running the drawing, all who donated and to Mike for his generosity. (photo link)
There being no further business, Simms thanked all for attending and adjourned the meeting.
Photos by Paul Davis
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