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Saturday, August 1, 2015

Community Corner

By Jennifer Andress, BTC Past President
Greetings, BTC! I hope you are running safely, visibly, and in good health! As our kids head back to school, now is a good time to review the rules of the road for safety’s sake:
  • Run against traffic so you can see the cars (or bicycles) that are coming, and be prepared to jump out of the way if a driver is not paying attention.
  • Do not assume a car is going to stop at an intersection or stop sign (particularly when turning).  Always stop to make sure it is safe before crossing.
  • Wear lights and reflective clothing.  If it is dark, do not assume cars can see you.  If you are in a large group, position someone in the front and back with lights, and a few in the middle (at minimum).  If you are alone, you need to be visible.
  • If the sidewalk is not in bad shape, it is safer than the road. Use it.
I am going to leave the issues we discussed last month on the table. Please take a moment and email any of the contacts below on the BTC’s behalf, and email me with any news or updates. I will publish them here in this spot next month. Also please send me any of your own suggestions, and I will research the appropriate officials to notify, and publish them and their contact in this space as well. Please note that these are Homewood and Mountain Brook issues, but the BTC wants to improve runner safety in ALL areas that we cover. My email address is pastpresident@birminghamtrackclub.com  
Community Corner Call to Action! BTC members, particularly residents in these areas, please contact the following representatives and officials with our concerns:
The Bridge at Hollywood Boulevard over Highway 280:

Needed:


1. State Representative David Faulkner, District 46 - We need him to secure the federal funding we originally had in place via Representative Demarco. We also need him to work with ALDOT for a solution to this busy and dangerous thoroughfare. We welcome any communications with Representative Faulkner, and would love to publish any updates he can provide.
Phone: 334-242-7600
2. Mountain Brook Mayor and City Council - We need Mountain Brook BTC members to ask both the Mayor and City Council to re-commit funding for the City’s portion of the project.


Mayor Terry Oden: 802-3800
City Council members: Alice Womack, Lloyd Shelton, Council Pro Tem Billy Pritchard, Council President Virginia Smith, Jack Carl
All Council members can be contacted via City Manager Sam Gaston (802-3800, gastons@mtnbrook.org).
3. Homewood Mayor and City Council - We need Homewood back on board for its funding, direction and support. Any polite and respectful correspondence from Homewood BTC members is appreciated!
Mayor Scott McBrayer: phone 332-6103 and email Scott.McBrayer@DignityMemorial.com
City Council:
President Bruce Limbaugh: bruce@limbaughtoyota.com
Ward 1 Michael Hallman: m.shane.hallman@gmail.com
Ward 1 Britt Thames: bthames1@gmail.com
Ward 2 Fred Hawkins: fred.hawkins2@gmail.com
Ward 2 Vance Moody: Vance.moody@homewoodal.net
Ward 3 Patrick McClusky: mccluskycc@yahoo.com
Ward 3 Walter Jones: walter.jones@homewoodal.net
Ward 4 Barry Smith: Barry Smith barryandkyle1@charter.net
Ward 4 Alex Wyatt (replacing Heather Reid): awyatt@pljpc.com
Ward 4 Rich Laws: rrlaws@armstrong.com
Ward 5 and President Pro Tem Peter Wright: pwright@sirote.com
4. State Senator Slade Blackwell, District 15 - Senator Blackwell was not involved in our earlier efforts, but we certainly could use his help! (He is a runner too).
Montgomery office: (334) 242-7851
Birmingham office: 324-7676
Flashing Lights at the Crosswalk by Starbucks in Mt. Brook Village
1.  Mountain Brook Mayor and City Council, via City Manager Sam Gaston.
Phone: 802-3800
Trash Cans (with dog waste bags? Emergency phones?) and a Port-a-Potty on Lakeshore Trail
This came about while I was on a run recently with my family.  My dog pooped and I had to carry her waste bag with me for a mile because there were no trash cans.  I have also talked in the past with City Manager J.J. Bischoff about a port-a-potty.  He was open to the idea.  This is worth re-visiting, given the number of people who use Lakeshore trail.  A BTC officer also suggested safety phones for anyone needing help along the Lakeshore Trail.
1.  Homewood Parks and Recreation Director Berkley Squires
Phone: 332-6700
2.  City of Homewood Chief of Staff J.J. Bischoff
Phone: 332-6112
Safe Connector from Lakeshore Trail to Jemison Trail via Shades Creek Greenway under Highway 280 (Protective barriers at the least)
I believe this issue should go through Representative Faulkner and Senator Blackwell.  This may involve ALDOT, and they can get information from that agency. I know at one time there was a TIGER state grant to assist in this area.


1. State Representative David Faulkner, District 46
Phone: 334-242-7600
2. State Senator Slade Blackwell
Montgomery office: (334) 242-7851
Birmingham office: 324-7676