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BEV IS AT A LOSS FOR WORDS REGARDING THE ACTIONS OF THE GOVERNOR. Over the last six years I have written so many letters to him about the lack of a Transportation Plan resulting in the loss of Federal Enhancement Funds, the lack of funds to keep IDOT and IDNR operating due to limited personnel, the lack of appointments to head up IDOT & IDNR and worst of all his decision to close profit making parks and recreation areas and erasing the history of Illinois by closing the Hennepin Canal and other Historic Visitor Centers. SO SAD!!

ITC MEMBERS ARE ACTIVE AND TOTALLY SUPPORTIVE:

ITC received $500.00 from McHenry County Bicycle Club as well as membership renewals for $100 each from Bonnie Pink, Len Lisitza from McHenry, Don & Donna Shippy from Normal, Donovan Gardner from Pontiac, George & Sandy Burrier from Morton, Ray Hoven from Gurnee, Ron & Judy Ziemba from Chillocothe, Rebecca Tung from Chicago & Dr. Greg Luttrell from Edwardsville. John & Amy Buonassisi from Downers Grove sent $50.00 for a family membership/donation for Jeff Johnston in Streamwood. THANK YOU EVERYONE SO VERY MUCH.
Peter Botzek from Chicago Bev's favorite storyteller sent her another story called "Aboard a 1903 Steam Locomotive". He also sent her a fun card with a man and woman side by side on a big wheel bike with a baby seat on the back. The woman is asking the man if it is too windy for the baby…and he replies Wuh-oh. I knew I forgot something. Peter shared that he does his shopping for 90% of his groceries on his bicycle. He missed hitting 2,000 miles by a mere 50 miles. Peter suggests that we all wear reflective clothing or at any rate a vest while we are out in traffic so we will be seen. LIFE IS GOOD!!
Julie Colby from Danville sent Bev a Christmas Letter that she is relieved that Kickapoo Park was saved from the Governor's Ax. She comments that the Governor "finally may be seeing some slap on the wrist and should have stopped while he was ahead" Bev doesn't believe the Governor GOT THE MESSAGE!!. Julie & Bob used to lead the Friends of the New Hope Trail group. One of their members, Donnie Meeker lost his battle with cancer and they want to plant a tree for him. Julie recalls that Donnie always cooked chilli for a New Year's Day bicycle ride. GOOD FRIENDS ARE MISSED.
Jean Collins from Western Springs mailed Bev a card with information about a Rear Window Message Board in an automobile that warns "Bike Ahead". Bev wishes all motorists would be so obliging. JUST GIVE US 3 FEET.
Donna Conley from Machesney Park gave Bev a giggle when she wrote "You certainly do a fantastic job - you are better than Sara Palin?? Bev can't decide if that is good or bad. POLITICS CAN BE BRUTAL AT TIMES.
Deborah Fagan at DuPage County Planning sent Bev a pack of the new DuPage County Regional Bikeway Maps. Debra also helped Bev make connections with Marie Piraino who is in charge of exhibits at the upcoming Green Transportation Summit on January 8 in Lisle. Check out the DuPage County website at www.dupageco.org/bikeways
Sylvia Kellogg from BRATS in Wheaton sent Bev the minutes from the December meeting. Sylvia shared that CBF gave Deborah Fagan from DuPage County Planning a Trail Blazer Award. Bev can't think of anyone who has blazed more trails then Deborah. The next meeting is February 10 at Wheaton Park District Community Center. BRATS ARE GREAT.
Michael Rucker from Peoria sent Bev another of his books that he writes for children called "Terry and the Sunken Submarine" Bev keeps them in the Side By Side Cycle Shop for children to read while parents shop. Micahel was almost as excited as Bev with the announcement of Ray LaHood from Peoria being appointed as the new Secretary of Transportation.
Gabby Greg Valent from Chicago Bev shared information about the Bloomingdale Trail blog that is being maintained by the Trust for Public Land with Greg. She finally beat him to the punch because he was not aware of the blug. Bev cheats because she got the news from Amy Madigan in Springfield. SHARING INFORMATION IS IMPORTANT.
Eberhard Veit from from Crystal Lake has formed a group called McHenry County Bicycle Advocates at a web site www.McBicycleAdvocates.org which Bev would urge all local cyclers to join and give him your support. LOCAL ADVOCACY GROUPS ARE IMPORTANT TO YOUR COMMUNITY…PLEASE LEND YOUR SUPPORT.

ITC BOARD MEMBERS ARE BUSY WORKING FOR YOU

Bob Hargis from Charleston continues to monitor what is happening with the Kickapoo Trail in Urbana. Trail building often moves at a snail's pace. Bob agrees with Bev that Ray LaHood will make a fine Secretary of Transportation.
Patrick Hartman from Freeport sent Bev his new e-mail address. Bev has been providing information to snowmobilers in Northern Illinois by handing out trail maps from IDNR. Her supply is gone so now she will have them contact Patrick.
John Wilson from Lan Oak Park District checked out the latest edition of Illinois Bicycle Trails from American Trails Publishing. He is concerned that the Pennsy Greenway is not in it. Also that the Pennsy Greenway Spur and the Grand Illinois Trail is going down I-55. Bev forwarded his e-mail to Ray Hoven from American Trails who is also an ITC Board Member.

SNOWMOBILE SAFETY INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE AT www.dnr.state.il.us/safety/snowmobile.htm A reminder to riders and hikers: A minimum of 4 inches of snow cover must be present for snowmobile use on state-managed property.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOU IN 2009

Jan 8 - "GREENING" OUR TRANSPORTATION & ROADS. DuPage Environmental Summit sponsored by the DuPage Environmental Commission and the Conservation Foundation at Benedictine University from 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Registration required by calling Carrie Thompson at 630-428-4500.
Feb 10 - BRATS Meeting - 7:30 - 9:00 p.m. @ Wheaton Park District Community Center
Feb 28 - March 1, 2009 - Deerfield Outdoor Show at Deerfield High School, 1959 N. Waukegan Rd. 224-632-3465 for more.
April 18 - Long Prairie Trail Cleanup - Meeting in Poplar Grove at 9:00 a.m. Continental Breakfast & Bags provided
April 19 - Go Green! DuPage County Forest Preserve Dist. event at Fullerburg Woods from Noon - 4:00 p.m.
April 23 - Earth Day Benefit Dinner sponsored by The Conservation Foundation
April 25 - The Illinois Prairie Path Annual Cleanup Day
May 3 - Green Earth Fair sponsored by the Conservation Foundation
May 16 - DuPage River Sweep sponsored by The Conservation Foundation
June 6 - NATIONAL TRAILS DAY
June 14-20 - GITAP Grand Illinois Trail & Parks Ride - Contact Chuck Oestreich at 309-788-1845 or oestreich@qconline.com

ITC ACTIONS IN DECEMBER INCLUDE:

December 1 – Created, copied & distributed DECEMBER TRAIL NEWS to 228 ITC Members & Groups
December 1 - Mail was returned from The Siragusa Foundation in Chicago. I wonder if they are out of business?
December 2 - Received an e-mail from Amy Madigan in Springfield trying out a new blog as a way to inform us of greenways & trails items of note. Check it out and let her know what you think at http://www.illinoisgreenwaysandtrails.com Bev thought it was great with fun photos and info. Bev printed it out on 5 pages. Blogs are nice when you want to take the time to look something up but sometimes you need direction to find them. That is when ITC comes in and serves our members.
December 2 - Received e-mail from Jonathan Cain at Chicago Athlete Magazine. He would like information to put in their Annual Ultimate Resource Guide. If you have an event, please contact him at jcain@mychicagoathlete.com
December 2 - Received e-mail from Chuck Oestrich that he will let Bev know when and where ITC could provide a rest stop during the GITAP ride in June.
December 4 - Bev telephoned Marc Miller, Senior Policy Advisor in the Office of Lieutenant Governor Pat Quinn regarding the status of the closed parks. Marc and Bev had a good conversation about an article in the Rockford Newspaper that indicated that some park amenities will need to remain open such as trail systems. Marc hinted to Bev that the Governor was up to no good again. BOY WAS THAT AN UNDERSTATEMENT.
December 11 - ITC received a thank you note from CNT (Center for Neighborhood Technology) for our donation of $50.00.
December 13 - ITC received a notice from Dave Monk that Prairie Net in Champaign was going out of business.
December 14 - Bev clipped an article from the Rockford Newspaper written by Wally Haas about how Jessie Jackson Jr.' visit to Rockford did not happen. Wally asks the question? Was the Governor intending to SELL THE STATE PARKS??
December 15 - Bev called Carrie Thompson at Conservation Foundation to register for Green Transportation Summit.
December 17 - Bev heard the announcement of Ray LaHood to the position of Secretary of Transportation at the Federal Level. Bev called Board Member George Burrier to see if he heard it as well. WONDERFUL NEWS FOR TRAILS.
December 18 - Bev wrote a letter to President Elect Barack Obama with a copy to Senator Dick Durban thanking President Elect for good choices in cabinet positions. GOOD LEADERS WILL HELP GET US OUT OF THIS MESS WE ARE IN.
December 18 - Received the Recreational Trails Program and Transportation Enhancement Activities Bulletin.
December 19 - Received info from LIB with a photo of Ed Barsotti, Lynn Miller & Al Sturges standing with LaHood.
December 21 - Received e-mail from friend in Ohio who is officially retired but now operating his own trail business.
December 22 - Received e-mail from friends who had been checking out trails in Florida. Bev will be headed South soon.
December 25 - Bev clipped another article "Loves Park bike path possible in 2009. YIPPEE.
December 29 - Bev wrote a letter to new business called Paddle & Trails in Loves Park regarding info exchange.
December 30 - Received e-mail from past Director Mike Ulm that he sent a resume to Trail Net re a job opening.
December 31 - Bev shared information with Tim Bragg, Park Planner at Rockford Park District re Resource Training Opportunties.

ITC ANNUAL REPORT FOR 2007-2008 IS AVAILABLE….Bev will mail it out with January 2009 TRAIL NEWS on January 2, 2009 and the rest from Florida to 800 past & present members.

ITC HAS NEWSLETTERS TO SHARE FROM: Natural Land Institute in Northern Illinois, Confluence Greenway in St. Louis, the Heron from Conservation Foundation, Trail Net in St. Louis & Trails Advocate in Iowa. If you would like a copy, contact Bev.

CONTACT ILLINOIS TRAILS CONSERVANCY at www.ILLTrails.com Contact Bev about anything mentioned in TRAIL NEWS. E-Mail her at ITC bebomoore@aol.com for info. Illinois Trails Conservancy is P.O. Box 10, Capron, IL. 61012. Cell phone is 815-289-1024.