ACOG Newsletter September 2009

Welcome to the first e-mail edition of Central Oklahoma Perspective! To see more information like this you may use the links at the bottom to update your profile, subscribe to our other topics, forward to a friend or unsubscribe. We appreciate your interest as we are excited to bring you news in this new format.

Get Around Central Oklahoma!

ACOG has recently unveiled the regional rideshare program designed to alleviate traffic congestion, reduce emissions and help motorists and commuters save time and money. The rideshare program, named GetAroundOK, is a free, web-based, user-driver system at www.GetAroundOK.com.

The website is secure and easy to use. Participants can go online and open an account in minutes. Personal information is safe. The site will produce potential matches for carpooling based on gender, smoking, driving and other preferences. GetAroundOK will search the regional database to find people with similar commute schedules and routes. more >>

You're Invited to Our Kickoff

Central Oklahoma residents interested in transportation issues are invited to an open house meeting October 6, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Oklahoma City Community Foundation, 1000 N. Broadway. ACOG, the metropolitan planning organization for Central Oklahoma, is hosting the event to encourage public comments that will help kick off the development of Encompass 2035, the region's long-range transportation plan. Transportation planners will be available to answer questions and receive comments at the come-and-go event. Area maps, plan goals, results from a recent area survey, and regional population and employment patterns will be on display. Those attending will be able to interact and engage in the planning process. more >>

Around the Region

David Heald has joined the ACOG staff full-time as an IT Operations Specialist.
National Night Out in Central Oklahoma will be celebrated on September 15.
Edmond and Oklahoma City have recently named sustainability coordinators for their respective communities.
Two Central Oklahoma entities have received Community Development Block Grants for water and wastewater projects.
The I-235 at N.W. 36th St. reconstruction project, also known as the Zach D. Taylor, Jr. Memorial Interchange, was recognized with an award this summer. more >>

Regional Events

Change: Clean Energy Sources and How They Impact the Community The American Lung Association's O2 Society, is hosting a forum on September 22, starting at 5 p.m. The event will be held at the State Capitol with a reception immediately following in the blue room. Miles Tolbert, former Secretary of Environment, with Crowe & Dunlevy is scheduled as the event's guest moderator. Other speakers include: Taylor Schinn (Chesapeake Energy), Bud Scott (Sierra Club), and Christine Patton (Transition Town OKC). For more information, contact Jennifer Williams at jwilliams@breathehealthy.org or visit www.breathehealthy.org.
NEW RENAISSANCE: A Revolution of Creativity and Learning Creative Oklahoma is sponsoring a one day retreat, September 30, at the University of Central Oklahoma's Constitution Hall. This retreat brings international leaders together with Oklahoma educational and civic leadership for an intellectual exchange of ideas about the shifts occurring today as we prepare young people to be equipped for their roles in this 21st century global economy. Are we experiencing a New Renaissance? Visit www.stateofcreativity.com to register and learn more.

The Association of Central Oklahoma Governments (ACOG) is a voluntary association of city, town and county governments within the Central Oklahoma area. The ACOG region includes Oklahoma, Cleveland, Canadian and Logan Counties. Originally established in June of 1966, ACOG is one of 11 Councils of Governments in the State of Oklahoma, and one of several hundred planning organizations across the country.