Plans and mans

I could have sworn that these meetings were already held last year or something, but this just arrived in my inbox:

Don't miss the upcoming public meetings on the Draft Statewide Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan and Map Update. There will be a series of 4 meetings with one in our region (Mon. June 29 in West Hartford) - please plan to attend. (I will be out of town, so I am counting on all the bike and ped advocates in the region to be out in full force, in my stead!) Following is the CTDOT press release on the meetings. Go to www.ctbikepedplan.org to view the draft plan.

Newington, CT – The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) will conduct four public meetings to present information and gather input on the Statewide Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan and Map Update. The meetings will be an opportunity for the public to review and comment on the Draft Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation Plan and Draft Statewide Bicycle Map. The study team will be available at all meetings to gather resident and traveler input on the components of the 2009 Plan and Map. After the public meetings, the Plan will be finalized and presented to CTDOT for adoption in the summer of 2009.

The public meetings will be held on the following dates:

• Wednesday, June 24, 2009 from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM at Southeastern CT Council of Governments, 5 Connecticut Avenue, Norwich, CT

• Thursday, June 25, 2009 from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM at Litchfield County Cooperative Extension Center, 843 University Drive, Torrington, CT

• Monday, June 29, 2009 from 6:00 – 8:00 PM at Elmwood Community Center, Auditorium, 1106 New Britain Ave, West Hartford, CT

• Tuesday, June 30, 2009 from 6:00 - 8:00 PM at Fairfield Public Library, Rotary Room, 1080 Old Post Road, Fairfield, CT

All meetings will have the same content and format. Each will begin at 6:00 PM with an informal interactive open house session. A brief presentation will begin at 6:45 PM, followed by a discussion period. CTDOT and members of the study team, led by Fitzgerald & Halliday, Inc. of Hartford, Connecticut, will be available at each meeting to discuss the Update and answer questions.

Directions and parking information for the four public meeting locations are available at http://ctbikepedplan.org/html-pub-involve/meetings.html.

Additional information and the DRAFT Plan and Map are now available for review and comment at www.ctbikepedplan.org Other questions or comments may be directed to Mr. David Balzer, CTDOT Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator, via email at david.balzer@po.state.ct.us or phone at (860) 594-2141.

I don't know if we're supposed to go and and complain or like the plan. It seems we're supposed to just show up and look like concerned people with wheels or feet. I read some of the draft and it sure sucks the fun out of riding a bike or walking.

Speaking of sucking, this article does.