| Subject: NOW – write / call in support of open space funding! Timing is critical! |
| From: “Keep The Woods” |
| Date: Wed, 19 Apr 2006 12:11:12 -0400 |
| To: ktw@keepthewoods.org |
Greetings!!
In the next week or so, legislative leaders and the Governor will be finalizing negotiations on next year’s budget and the use of surplus funds. This means we have one more chance to get more funding for open space from this year’s budget surplus. To succeed, we need a LOT of emails, letters, and calls into our state legislators and the Governor’s Office in the next few days. This effort has been initiated by the LAND CONSERVATION COALITION OF CONNECTICUT.
We know that the Ethel Walker Land is high on the priority list with many legislators, and the Trust for Public Land is in the best position to obtain this state funding. Your support will make a difference in this funding!!
Bill 656, the Land Preservation Act, called for $60 million from the surplus for open space, farmland, and urban land acquisition and restoration. It died in committee. Fortunately, this does NOT necessarily mean that no funds will be included in the legislature’s final budget. It does mean, however, that legislators and the Governor need to hear from dozens of conservationists IMMEDIATELY.
PLEASE USE THE INFORMATION BELOW TO CONTACT YOUR STATE LEGISLATORS AND GOVERNOR RELL NOW.
WHAT YOU CAN SAY:
- Our communities cannot wait to preserve our most important open spaces.
- A property like the Ethel Walker School campus provides BOTH open space AND watershed protection.
- Open space is good for the economy. The Farmington Valley was recognized last year as one of 19 “nature-friendly” communities in the U.S. Keeping intact habitats and accessible recreation are critical for this distinction an attraction for small businesses and recreation dollars.
- This is what the people of CT want the surplus spent on!
See more example letters and options on our website, related to our support for SB 656. Even one sentence is enough to show your support!
PLEASE SPEND 5 MINUTES RIGHT NOW TO HELP ENSURE THAT THE STATE USES A SMALL FRACTION OF OUR SURPLUS TO INVEST IN OUR NATURAL AND AGRICULTURAL LANDSCAPES. SIMPLY URGE THEM TO SUPPORT THE USE OF SURPLUS FUNDS FOR LAND PRESERVATION.
To find out who your legislators are go here – Find Your Legislator – then scroll to your town and click on the House and Senate Districts next to it.
Here is the Governor’s contact information:
Governor M. Jodi Rell, Executive Office of the Governor, State Capitol, 210 Capitol Avenue, Hartford, Connecticut 06106. Governor.Rell@po.state.ct.us. (860) 566-4840
Also, PLEASE send a “bcc” of your email (do NOT “cc”) to Sandy at sbreslin@audubon.org AND ktw@keepthewoods.org, or email saying you have called. We plan to document the support for this cause to continue the push for funding for important pieces of open space.
THANK YOU! YOUR CALLS, LETTERS AND EMAILS MAKE ALL THE DIFFERENCE!
We are having a Community Meeting tonight at Flamig Farm at 7PM. See you there.