Bike to School Day
Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Sponsored by Commuter Connect, a service of CIRTA, and Riverview Hospital

o 7:00 a.m. free breakfast for those who work in or near downtown Noblesville

o Location- County Judicial Center

o Breakfast attendees also have the chance to get prizes

o Hosted by Sustain Noblesville and Hamilton County

Click here to RSVP and for more details

Energy efficient transportation is the backbone of sustainable living and economic development. Indianapolis is one of the only cities its size without a robust mass transit system which puts Central Indiana at a competitive disadvantage especially as the cost of energy continues to rise.

Investing in mass transit is one of the most important things we can do to build a sustainable community, plan for long term economic growth, compete for new businesses and new jobs, and do our part to secure America's energy future.

Carmel Green Initiative has joined a broad coalition of municipalities, businesses and organizations in support of the Indy Connect Now campaign that includes increased bus service,  rapid transit corridors, express bus routes and rail service for Central Indiana.  Hamilton County supporters include Hamilton County Commissioner Christine Altman, Carmel Mayor Jim Brainard, Westfield Mayor Andy Cook, Noblesville Mayor John Ditslear, and Fishers Town Council among others.

Benefits | Supporters | The Plan | Map

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Public Meetings

Public meetings will be held at various locations in Central Indiana. This is a great opportunity to learn about the Indy Connect plan in greater detail, as well as share your thoughts on routing, vehicles, station locations and more.

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Thursday, March 7, 6:30 p.m.

Carmel High School Freshman Cafeteria, 520 E. Main St., Carmel

.Complete listing of public meetings . | .Youtube video of Indy Connect Plan, 4 min.

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2013 Mass Transit Bill

During the 2013 legislative session, your State representatives will have an opportunity to pass a bill that would allow you to have a vote on mass transit funding through a County referendum.

As an active participant of the regional transportation initiative, our goal is to keep Carmel and Hamilton County citizens up-to-date on the transit legislation as it relates to Hamilton County legislators.  This legislation is a key step in achieving a comprehensive regional transportation system and is thus a significant opportunity to achieve ‘greener’ transportation options for Carmel and Hamilton County residents.

ABOUT THE BILL

• HB 1011 - Public Mass Transportation
• We're delighted Representative Jerry Torr(R-Carmel) joined with Representatives Cindy Kirchhofer (R-Beech Grove), Gregory Porter (D-Indianapolis), and Cherrish Pryor (D-Indianapolis) will author transit legislation.  Posted Dec 2012
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  In the House

• The bill was assigned to the House Roads & Transportation Committee. On Wed. Jan 23, Carmel Green Initiative joined transit advocates - Indianapolis Mayor Ballard, Westfield Mayor Cook, Noblesville Mayor Ditslear, IUPUI Chancellor Bantz, the Indiana and Indianapolis Chambers of Commerce, American Institute of Architects, Metropolitan Indianapolis Board of Realtors, Indiana Economic Development, Indiana Association of Cities and Towns, the Hoosier Environmental Council, the Sierra Club and many other organizations and individuals - in a strong show of support for the transit bill at a hearing before the House Roads & Transportation Committee.  A week later, on Wed. Jan 30, the Indiana House Roads and Transportation Committee voted 11-1 in support. Some legislators voted in favor because they support mass transit for the region. Others voted yes in support of giving local governments control over local funding issues.  Representative Speedy (R-Indianapolis) was the lone dissenter. The committee also voted to amend the bill to delay the date of a county referenda to no earlier than Nov 2014. This would avoid costs of a special election by adding the referenda to the regular election cycle. The bill now moves to House Ways and Means.  Updated Feb 2, 2013
• Having cleared the House Roads and Transportation Committee, the transit referendum bill moved on to the House Ways & Means Committee for consideration of financial implications, amendments and vote. On Wed. Feb 13, the transit bill passed out of  Ways&Means  with overwhelming support - 20-2!  Rep. Eric Turner (portions of Westfield, northern Hamilton County) was only one of two NO votes.  The bill now moves on to 2nd reading for amendments and a full House vote. Updated Feb 13, 2013
• Rep. Turner's amendment to exempt rural areas was adopted on Second Reading. While it is not ideal, it is workable. Read more. Posted Feb 22, 2013
• The Indiana House voted 56-39 in favor of House Bill 1011.  All 6 Hamilton County representatives voted YES. View House Bill Read News Release.  The bill now moves to the Senate for consideration.  Posted Feb. 28, 2013   
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  In the Senate

• On Wed. Mar 20, the Senate Committee on Local Government passed the transit bill: 7-2 Eckerty & Smith were the NO votes; Wyss didn't vote. Posted Mar24, 2013
• On Tues. Apr 2, the Senate Tax & Fiscal Policy Committee amended the transit bill requiring it go to a study committee charged with issuing a report by Dec 15.  The bill passed 12-0.  Read IndyConnectNow statement.   Read IBJ article.   Read Erika Smith article - Senate ignores rights of Central Indiana voters with mass transit bill decision Read study committee amendment. Posted Apr 2, 2013
• On Wed. Apr. 10, HB1011 cleared the Senate with a vote of 39 - 11.  All 5 Hamilton County Senators voted YES.  The NO votes included 9 Democrates and 2 Republicans.  Posted Apr, 13, 2013
  
  In Conference Committee

• Having cleared both chambers, the Senate version and the House versionwill be reconciled in Conference Committee. Posted Apr 13, 2013
• Representative Torr has filed his dissent with the Senate version of the bill which includes the Study Committee amendment, and hopes to restore the original intent of the bill without the Study Committee language since mass transit has been studied enough already.  Posted Apr 22, 2013
• House Conference Committee to Meet on Mass Transit as Community Builds Support
• Open Letter to the Indiana General Assembly
• The Conference Committee is scheduled to discuss HB1011 Tuesday, April 23, 9:30 a.m. in State House Room 156B.   House Conferees are Torr and Porter, with advisors T. Brown, Pryor and Hale.  Senate Conferees are Pat Miller and Breaux, with advisors M. Young, Taylor, Merritt and Waltz.  Advisors do not have a vote.  Posted Apr 22, 2013
• Senate opponents skeptical about funding did not budge in conference committee, forcing the House to vote on the Senate version of the bill which passed with a vote of 59-35 on April 26, 2013.  “The Senate decided that 40 years of studying the issue isn’t quite enough;” said Jerry Torr, R-Carmel, the bill’s author. “They wanted to study it at least one more year. They also put in a provision just to be absolutely certain that nobody in local government did anything without their permission, they put in a prohibition about entering into any interlocal agreements to set up anything on their own.”  - from IndyStar Chris Sikich article. Posted Apr 26, 2013
• To read more about the bill, click here for a listing of news articles.

WHAT'S NEXT

• Mass transit will now go to a study committee this summer and will need to be re-introduced again in the 2014 legislative session.  Though not the ideal outcome, a study committee does provide an opportunity to continue the conversation funding. Posted Apr 26, 2013
• Stay tuned for next steps.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

1) Contact your State Legislator

The most important thing you can do is contact your legislator.  Say to him/her “I want you to support funding to improve and expand transit service in Indiana."

Please join us in thanking Representative Jerry Torr for his support as author of the mass transit bill.  317.232.9677  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Please join us in thanking Representatives Steve Braun, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it (317) 232-9677 and Todd Huston, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it (317) 232-9677, for their support and leadership as co-authors of the mass transit bill.

Please join us in thanking Senator Jim Merritt, (portions of Fishers) This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it (317) 232-9533, for his supporrt and leadership as co-sponsor..

2) Sign the Petition

3) Adopt a Resolution

Have your business, organization or congregation adopt a resolution in support of mass transit.

> See who has already signed on.
> Download a sample Resolution
> This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Saturdays from 9 a.m. to Noon
From November 17, 2012 to January 26, 2013 (Closed Dec 22 and 29)
Carmel City Center
720 South Rangeline Road  Carmel, IN 46032

The Winter Market is held in a storefront at 719 Hanover Place on the interior of Carmel City Center (between Authentic Sports Collectibles and the Bike Line). Surface parking is available on plaza level (accessible from City Center Drive), in the underground garage (accessible from Rangeline Road) and along Veterans Way located to the south of Carmel City Center.  Read more.

The SCOTTIES® TREES ROCK! Video Contest was designed to energize kids to get creative and share why they think trees are an important part of our school community and why planting them is beneficial for everyone.

Who: This contest is open to 3rd, 4th and 5th grade students.

Prizes: The winning school will receive $10,000 for an outdoor school project, and the winning student's family will receive a trip to The Grand Canyon or Yellowstone National Park, $5,000 and an Electronic Tablet.

When: Video submissions were due  Nov. 30, 2012.  Judges selected the top 12 finalists for a national online public vote.  Supporters are encouraged to vote every day. Voting ends on Feb 15, 2013.

Audrey K.,
a 5th grader at Prairie Trace Elementary,
wants to help purchase trees
for her school if she wins. Read more

VOTE ONLINE FOR AUDREY'S VIDEO

Click here to see the video and VOTE!

VOTE EVERY DAY UNTIL FEBRUARY 15, 2013

Having an energy audit done on your home is one of the easiest and most cost effective ways to go green.  Schedule a FREE Home Energy Assessment to find ways to save energy and save money.  The assessment takes about an hour and can be scheduled at your convenience.  You’ll learn a lot and receive a detailed report about your home’s energy profile as well as a free gift worth about $50.

There is no cost to you to participate in this energy conservation education program. Carmel Green Initiative will receive a small donation on your behalf.

To participate, please fill out the application.

Costume Swap
Saturday, October 13, 2012
1 - 3 pm
Cool Creek Nature Center
317-774-2500

Bring an unwanted costume or costume accessory and SWAP it for another one. This is a great way to reuse costumes that no longer fit and save money at the same time
Please note the following

•  Please only bring costumes that are clean and in good condition.
•  Any make-up/face paint donated must be sealed or unused.
•  If you are unable to find a re-used costume you would like to swap
for, you may donate your costume or reclaim your original
costume- if it has not already been claimed by someone else.
•  Feel free to donate costumes without swapping

Saturday, November 17, 2012
9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Carmel High School Stadium West Parking Lot
(NW corner of Keystone Parkway & 136^th Street)