Discussion:A celebration of our democracy - one person can make a difference

Some of you may recall that I said I was working on a campaign last week. It was interesting that nobody made any comments about it. Anyway, my campaign about bicycle safety in Hawaii actually started well over a year ago. Another bicyclist and I prepared a Bicycle Safety Resolution after a majority of voters passed a charter amendment mandating that government make Honolulu pedestrian and bicycle friendly. I presented the resolution to my local neighborhood board, and it was adopted unanimously. We have 33 neighborhood boards on Oahu, and to date 29 have either adopted resolutions or indicated their support for it via a letter. I also took this resolution to our city planning organization and the city council. Both adopted it unanimously.

Last week Friday I had a press conference with the Mayor to formally present him with these resolutions. No other issue has had this much success with the neighborhood boards. Tuesday I also met with the Lt. Governor and presented him with a set of resolutions as well. Now both the city and state are on board and will be held accountable to make Oahu and Hawaii bicycle friendly. The next step is getting the other counties on board. Then I plan on meeting with the Governor later this year. (She turned me down once, but I figure it doesn't hurt to ask again.) Next year my goal is to change the traffic code and implement Bike/Walk School Buses under the Safe Routes to School program by using the resolutions as support. I'm confident we'll start seeing things change for the better here as far as bicyclists are concerned.

So, if there's something you're passionate about or you just plain want to change something, go out there and start doing it.

Following are the links to the newscasts about the press conference with the Mayor.

[1] KGMB 9

[2] KHON TV2

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!

You've worked very hard on this and deserve all the recognition that has come with the work.

(And I don't mean to be a male chauvinist, but you are very pretty. It must be the sunshine in lovely Hawaii. I hate with a passion having my picture taken, let alone when I've been on tv a couple of time out here).

The mayor is a tall guy, either that or like me, you are vertically challenged.

(Sorry we haven't chatted in a while. I've stayed away because of various medical appointments and issues. I will put an update in a separate thread, but I am feeling somewhat better. But this is your moment.)

As you mentioned today is July 4th. Normally, I would be out with my band playing in a parade. Not this year. Anyway, our country's founders, like you Natalie, were passionate about creating a new form of government where the people had a say in who ran the country. While not always perfect, this is the best country. Why do you think so many people come here? I remember today those who sacrificed their lives for our freedoms, but I also remember today those who came here, so I might live here. My great grandparents and my grandfathers, all of whom left their families in Ireland behind to make a better life for themselves here in the United States.

Natalie has made life safer for the people and children in her neighborhood. What a wonderful example for your children and for all of us.

Big hug from the East Coast.

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!!!!!!

Tom

Two things. Did you get me my get out of jail free card

and

There are a few things I am passionate about, any ideas on how to go about taking care of those?

http://www.archives.gov/historical-docs/document.html?doc=1&title.raw=Declaration%20of%20Independence

Tom

I see it was 77 degrees last night, You must have been cold!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tom

We need bigger cars, more Hummers, more SUVS. The metal that goes into bicycles could be used to make weapons. Therefore, I hope we can build more bike trails and keep these tree huggers away from the real citizens.

Yes, it is the Fourth, and as Bush has made me super proud to be an American, I am going out and putting a HUGE amount of lighter fluid on my coals, and have me some downer cattle! WOOSH!

TAOCPA - thanks for the link & I hope your medical issues are resolved very soon.

Here's another link that inspires me this time of year as well:

http://showcase.netins.net/web/creative/lincoln/speeches/gettysburg.htm

Happy 4th of July to all. I think we should all be proud of the small part we all play in keeping our democracy going by protecting the taxpayers' interests in the adversarial tax collection system.