Good Works Columbus: February 26, 2024
Public comment on long distance train service needed, March primary, and more
Intro
Hi everyone, happy Monday! In today’s newsletter we’ll go over the updated FRA (Federal Railroad Administration) long distance passenger train routes and include a sample ballot for the primary election.
If you have an upcoming event or a link you’d like to share for the newsletter, feel free to send suggestions. Please let me know if I missed something!
FRA Public Comment
In case you missed it, Columbus was included in two routes of the FRA long distance passenger train study. The first one is from Detroit to New Orleans:
The second one going from Dallas to New York:
Public feedback is a consideration in the routes and during the last round Columbus (and the rest of Ohio) was barely a blip on the map. For more information and an opportunity to provide comment (tell the FRA Columbus wants trains!) visit:
https://fralongdistancerailstudy.org/ (Public comment is at the bottom of the page).
Primary elections
Voting for the primary elections are now under way. You can vote early at your board of elections. Highly recommend following Senator Meow’s sample ballot. Go here for Meow’s reasoning and give their newsletter a follow if you haven’t already.
Things you can do in person
Sign up to gather signatures for the “Citizens Not Politicians” Amendment and help end gerrymandering in the state of Ohio through this ballot initiative. Link to become a signature gatherer.
(Saturday 3/2/2024 11:00am-1:00pm) Eastland Community Plan feedback opportunity: “Join us to continue the conversation on the Eastland Community Plan by attending our second Public Meeting on Saturday, March 2nd. Now is the time to envision a new future for the Eastland area, one that is equitable and prosperous for everyone. We need your voice and your ideas to make that happen. Be part of the planning process to create the roadmap for the future of your community.”
Things you can do online
LinkUS Engagement Survey (2 minutes)
“Two new bills—from Senators Ed Markey and John Fetterman respectively—set Complete Streets as a minimum design mandate, taking a step towards safer streets for all road users. With over 40,000 pedestrian deaths on our roadways in the last decade, there’s no time to lose. Tell your senator to cosponsor the Building Better Streets Act and Complete Streets Act!”
“The City of Gahanna is working to develop an Active Transportation Plan to improve walking and biking in the community. The Plan will include infrastructure and program and policy recommendations.
We are in the information gathering phase and interested in learning from you about opportunities and barriers to walking and biking in the City of Gahanna. Please take this survey to share your input.”
Save the Date
(3/9/24 9am-12pm) It's time to kick butt, Columbus! Cigarette butt, that is!
In Case You Missed It
Mark up the Vision Zero Columbus map. Have a close call walking, biking, or getting around town? Do you know a dangerous intersection that can be improved? Help identify these spots on the Vision Zero map.
Upper Arlington Public Library workers are forming a union. Tell the UA Library board to recognize their union!
(Climate Survey: 5-10 minutes) “We would like to hear your thoughts!! Recently, the EPA provided funding through a Climate Pollution Reduction Grant to improve energy security and decrease climate air pollution in the Central Ohio Region. Based on your area's initial feedback and others throughout the region we have developed some potential climate pollution reduction strategies to reduce the effects of emissions on our climate.”
(Housing Survey: 5-10 minutes) “The Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) has launched its latest survey in the “Leaders Listen” series, in partnership with Measurement Resources Company and The Columbus Dispatch, to gauge Central Ohio residents’ opinions on experiences and services related to housing in the region.”
(2 minutes) Tell your elected officials to stop highway expansions! “A coalition of 200 organizations nationwide is calling on elected leaders to adopt a moratorium on expanding highways and a pause on existing projects until climate, equity, and maintenance goals are met. Tell your elected leaders to end the destructive, unsustainable practice of highway building and set a responsible course toward a cleaner and more equitable future.”
Have a great day everyone!