Call To Action
Hello everyone,
I am dismayed to report that some of the staff and administration of the Town of Summerville are working to dissolve the ordinance that established the Town’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee. They would like to make this committee an ad hoc committee of the planning commission.
Since it was established in October 2007, this committee has has accomplished the following:
Placement of bike racks in all the Town’s parks and playgrounds, and at the new parking garage.
Established a bicycle parking ordinance, requiring new businesses to install bike racks at the time of construction.
Obtained a grant competitive grant funding a complete streets workshop. Had pedestrian crossing signs placed at several locations in town and where the Sawmill Branch Trail crosses roads. (These have recently been removed. Please call the department of engineering at Town Hall (871-6000) and ask that they be replaced immediately)
We are currently working on several projects including a bicycle and pedestrian master plan for the town, a complete streets ordinance, and an application to become to be recognized as a bicycle friendly community. Some at town hall would like us to become an ad hoc committee of the Planning Commission.
We do much more than simply deal with infrastructure, which the town has no budgeted dollars to build. We have to rely on grant money for such projects If this committee becomes an ad hoc committee of the planning commission, it will severely limit our mission and scope of work.
Also, staffing for the committee is in question. And of significant concern, is that an ad hoc committee, which does not have the protection of an ordinance, could be completely dissolved without much difficulty.
What can you do?
Come to the Planning Commission’s next meeting on Monday, October 19 at Old Town Hall at 6 p.m., and tell them that the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee should continue in its present form or it will become much less effective. Please call me at 209-9028, if you have any questions.
Thank you.
Mark Greenslit
Chairman, Town of Summerville’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee.