2004 American Tobacco Trail/TRTC Year End Report and Appeal

[Bill Bussey]

*Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from the Triangle Rails-to-Trails 
Conservancy
*
On behalf of *Dan, Dave, Al, David, Curt, Thad, Frank, Leslie,, Rickie, 
Steve, Cotten and Gail*, of the Board of the Triangle Rails-to-Trails 
Conservancy (TRTC) <http://www.triangletrails.org/>, I'd like to wish 
you a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and a Happy New 2005.

*Please* keep reading below because we want you to know what TRTC 
<http://www.triangletrails.org/> has been doing to help *build, open and 
maintain* the* American Tobacco Trail (ATT) 
<http://triangletrails.org/ATT.HTM>*.

With only a few days left in 2004, this is your *last-minute* 
opportunity to,join <http://triangletrails.org/MEMBERS.HTM> or renew 
<http://triangletrails.org/MEMBERS.HTM> your membership, or make that 
contribution to the Triangle Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (TRTC 
<http://www.triangletrails.org/>) to insure that the American Tobacco 
Trail is completed.  Donations to TRTC 
<http://triangletrails.org/MEMBERS.HTM> are tax-deductible to the extent 
permitted by law.

You can donate right NOW 
<https://www.paypal.com/xclick/business=americantobaccotrail%40earthlink.net&item_name=Triangle+Rails-to-Trails+Conservancy&cn=Comments&tax=0&currency_code=USD&lc=US> 
via our PayPal donation page 
<https://www.paypal.com/xclick/business=americantobaccotrail%40earthlink.net&item_name=Triangle+Rails-to-Trails+Conservancy&cn=Comments&tax=0&currency_code=USD&lc=US>. 
If you aren't familiar with PayPal <https://www.paypal.com/>, please 
know that it is safely used by millions in online transactions each year.

Or you can simply write us a check and send it to *TRTC 
<http://triangletrails.org/MEMBERS.HTM>, PO Box 61091 Durham, NC 27715.*

First off, we'd like to* thank and express our sincere gratitude* to all 
of you who have* helped* make *2004 a very successful year* for not only 
the Triangle Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (TRTC 
<http://www.triangletrails.org/>, but for the * American Tobacco Trail 
(ATT) <http://triangletrails.org/ATT.HTM>* and for trails and greenways 
throughout the Triangle. *Thank you* for everything you have done to 
help make our region a better place to live.

TRTC members are hard at work and making progress because, like you, we 
want to enjoy the American Tobacco Trail for *recreation, physical 
fitness, and commuting* - *NOW and soone*r rather than later.

But to keep *over* /*six miles*/* of trail* *open*, we */NEED/* your 
tax-deductible support!*

**In 2004 TRTC:*
*
**Cleared, Opened*, *made safe* and *managed* 3+ miles of ATT 
natural-surface trail in Chatham <http://www.co.chatham.nc.us/> County 
(1 mile north of O'Kelly Chapel Road, 1.3 miles south of O'Kelly Chapel 
Road and 1 mile north of New Hope Church Road) in cooperation with 
Chatham County Parks and Recreation. 
<http://www.co.chatham.nc.us/RecreationDepartment/Recreationold.htm>

*Purchased* new lawn mower and *regularly* *mowed* over 6 miles of trail 
thanks to a generous grant from the Carolina Tarwheels Bicycle Club 
<http://www.tarwheels.org/>. Thanks to Cotten Tyler 
<mailto:cottentrail at aol.com> for his years of continuing service keeping 
the ATT mowed and cleared, and for his work in researching and 
purchasing the mower.

*Advocated use* of the 7.5 miles of ATT and Riddle Rd. Spur in Durham. 
More than 8,000 folks per month use the ATT in Durham 
<http://www.ci.durham.nc.us/departments/parks/trails.cfm>, which 
continues to rank and receive recognition as one of the finest greenways 
in the southeast.

*Maintained* and *managed* 3 miles of ATT natural-surface trail in 
southern Durham 
<http://www.ci.durham.nc.us/departments/parks/trails.cfm> County (2 
miles north & 1 mile south of Scott King Road).  Thanks to a grant from 
the Durham Open Space and Trails Commission 
<http://www.ci.durham.nc.us/departments/clerk/boards.cfm#durham_open_space>. 
Contact Curt Devereux <mailto:devereux at gte.net> and Frank Bennett 
<mailto:FJB675 at hotmail.com> for more info.
*
Informed *NCDOT Rail Division <http://www.bytrain.org/> and the Town of 
Cary <http://townofcary.org/> about and worked with them on several 
possible ATT encroachment and crossing issues.

*Advocated use* of the 3.5 miles of ATT in Wake County 
<http://lnweb03.co.wake.nc.us/pufd/pubacc.nsf/parks?OpenAgent&Park=SinglePark&City=&ParkID=691.>. 
More than 3,000 folks per month now use the ATT in Wake 
<http://lnweb03.co.wake.nc.us/pufd/pubacc.nsf/parks?OpenAgent&Park=SinglePark&City=&ParkID=691.>County 
alone. An additional 1.5 miles of ATT, plus a new parking area with 
restroom facility, is on track to open in early 2005. More Info: (919) 
387-2117

*Started work* on new Fayetteville Road Parking area by *formalizing* 
plans, *obtaining* permits and *demolishing* structures and clearing 
brush utilizing our wonderful volunteers. Thanks to Murphy and Sacks 
Land Surveyors <http://www.murphysacks.com/> of Raleigh, Kenneth Embree 
Law Offices <http://www.embreelaw.com/> of Chapel Hill, and Coulter, 
Jewell Thames, PA <http://www.cjtpa.com> of Durham, (link may not work) 
for their pro bono and reduced rate services to this project. Thanks 
also to the Triangle Greenways Council Land Trust 
<http://www.trianglegreenways.org/> for partnering with us in this project.
*
Thad Howard <mailto:Thad.Howard at StJude.org>* received the Volunteer 
Center of Durham's <http://www.thevolunteercenter.org/> Adult Key 
Volunteer of the Year Award 
<http://www.thevolunteercenter.org/keyrec.html> for his work with TRTC 
on the ATT. Thad also received the National Trail Awards 2004 North 
Carolina Trail Worker of the Year Award 
<http://americantrails.org/awards/NTS04awards/NTS04awards.html>.

*Said goodbye* to *Thad Howard <mailto:Thad.Howard at StJude.org>, Betsy 
Howard, Jeremy Portzer <mailto:jeremyp at pobox.com> *and* Rickie White*, 
all of who have moved from the area with job promotions. All served with 
distinction on our Board in 2004, and *contributed* a lot to the ATT and 
TRTC. We miss them all greatly.

*Collaborated* with Durham Parks and Recreation 
<http://www.ci.durham.nc.us/departments/parks/> to design a new Parking 
Facility at Scott King Road. Hopefully, this project will be constructed 
in a year or two.

*Advocated* for completion of the ATT I-40 bridge as soon as possible. 
*Latest word:* Bridge is still two years from completion. But we were 
saying this same thing five years ago! ;-) *To help:* Write the Durham 
City Council <http://www.ci.durham.nc.us/council/>, Durham County 
Commissioners <http://www.co.durham.nc.us/common/db-dept.cfm?ID=34>, and 
the Durham Parks and Recreation Director 
<mailto:darrell.crittendon at durhamnc.gov> and Assistant Director 
<mailto:Beth.Timson at durhamnc.gov> and say you want the ATT bridge across 
I-40 built as soon as possible.

*Organized* and *managed* *21+ *workdays 
<http://triangletrails.org/VOLUNTEERS.HTM> in southern Durham on 1st and 
3rd Saturdays. *Over 40 different volunteers* offered a minimum of 3 
hours apiece (and most, more!) of their tme and energy to this effort.

*Organized 5 *formal and *12 *informal* *workdays 
<http://triangletrails.org/VOLUNTEERS.HTM> on the future ATT in Chatham 
County. *Over 100* *different volunteers* offered and gave a minimum of 
3 hours apiece of their energies to this effort.

*Coordinated* and *helped* *host* with Durham and Cary Recreational 
Equipment Inc. (REI) 
<http://clients.mapquest.com/rei/mqinterconnect?business=NC&closestn=20&closestprox=1&miles=900&link=find> 
stores, a National Trails Day 
<http://www.americanhiking.org/events/ntd/> workday on the ATT on June 
5, in which over 70 cleared and hauled logs and brush from the trail in 
order to open it. Thanks to Steve, "Chainsaw Monster" Lund 
<mailto:slund-att at pobox.com> for his great work in clearing many dozens 
of overlapping downed and overhanging trees on segments of the trail in 
Chatham.
*
Worked with *US Representative David Price <http://price.house.gov/> and 
his staff <mailto:Susan.Howard at mail.house.gov> to obtain earmark funding 
of almost *$1 million* in the FY 2005 Omnibus Spending Bill, to help 
*build the ATT* in Durham and Chatham Counties. Representative Price has 
requested more significant funding to complete the ATT in the upcoming 
(we hope!) Transportation Reauthorization Bill.

*Advocated *with Wake 
<http://lnweb03.co.wake.nc.us/pufd/pubacc.nsf/parks?OpenAgent&Park=SinglePark&City=&ParkID=691.> 
and Chatham 
<http://www.co.chatham.nc.us/RecreationDepartment/Recreationold.htm> 
counties to work together to connect their respective portions of the 
ATT as soon as possible. *Offered* TRTC's *help and labor* in making 
this happen sooner rather than later.

*Continued to work* along with The Nature Conservancy 
<http://nature.org/wherewework/northamerica/states/northcarolina/> and 
NatureServe <http://www.natureserve.org/>,* to clear, edge and clean* 
the "forgotten" portion of ATT south of Dunhill Drive and north of 
Southpoint Crossing SC 
<http://www.regencycenters.com/PropertyDetail.aspx?PID=158> in Durham.

*Continued to advocate* and ask management of Southpoint Crossing 
Shopping Center 
<http://www.regencycenters.com/PropertyDetail.aspx?PID=158> to install 
bike racks at the center, which is heavily used by ATT users. Though 
initially supportive, center management has* not yet* *installed *any 
bike racks, which are very much needed at the center.

*Received* and *managed* *major grants* from REI <http://www.rei.com>, 
(*that makes 2 significant grants from REI!*)* *Carolina Tarwheels 
Bicycle Club <http://www.tarwheels.org/>* (2 grants from the Tarwheels 
too!), *Durham 
<http://www.ci.durham.nc.us/departments/clerk/boards.cfm#durham_open_space> 
Open Space and Trails Commission 
<http://www.ci.durham.nc.us/departments/clerk/boards.cfm#durham_open_space>, 
NC State Adopt-A-Trail Program 
<http://www.ils.unc.edu/parkproject/trails/grant.html>* *and* *National 
Recreational Trails Fund. 
<http://www.ils.unc.edu/parkproject/trails/grant.html> We are grateful 
that the NCDOT Division of Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation 
<http://www.ncdot.org/transit/bicycle/>,who though they don't work 
directly with TRTC, they continue to support the ATT through their 
assistance to local governments building the ATT.
 
*Continued* our online *store* with lots of TRTC and ATT shirts and 
symbolic items at:
*http://www.cafepress.com/trtc* .
*
Staffed* ATT/TRTC *Information Booths* at the Durham Whole Foods Market 
<http://wholefoods.com/stores/durham/index.html>, Festival for the Eno 
<http://www.enoriver.org/festival/>, Durham Earthday 
<http://www.durhamearthday.org/>, Wake County Earthday 
<http://www.wakegov.com/county/parks/harrislake/Programs.htm>, Pittsboro 
Street Fair <http://www.pittsboronc.org/>, NBC 17 Health and Fitness 
Expo <http://www.nbc17.com/healthandfitnessexpo/2752502/detail.html>, 
Car Free Day in Carrboro <http://www.gocarfree.com>, Cary Cycling 
Celebration 
<http://www.townofcary.org/depts/prdept/events/bikeevent.htm> and other 
events.

*Helped* the NC-East Coast Greenway Committee 
<http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ECG-NC/> and the Carolina Tarwheels Bike 
Club <http://www.tarwheels.org/> on the East Coast Greenway Tour 
<http://www.greenway.org> on its stop here in North Carolina. Thanks 
especially to David Connelly <mailto:pedaling at mindspring.com> and Leslie 
Killeen <mailto:lkilleen at pughkilleen.com> for their great work in 
hosting this event. Also thanks to the Durham Convention and Vistors 
Bureau <http://dcvb.durham.nc.us/>, NC Museum of Life and Science 
<http://www.ncmls.org/>, Greystone Inn <http://www.greystone.info/>, 
Durham Whole Foods Market 
<http://wholefoods.com/stores/durham/index.html>, Durham Parks and 
Recreation <http://www.ci.durham.nc.us/departments/parks/trails.cfm>.

*Attended* several Chatham 
<http://www.co.chatham.nc.us/CountyCommissioners/CountyCommissioners.htm>, 
Durham <http://www.ci.durham.nc.us/council/> and Wake 
<http://www.wakegov.com/general/commissioners/default.htm> 
*Commissioner*s meetings, as well as several  Regional *Long Range 
Transportation* Planning <http://www.dchcmpo.org/> meetings, because we 
need to make sure that the American Tobacco Trail and other Triangle 
trails and greenways *get proper and adequate funding and support from 
local governments. *

Received accolades and lots of compliments from all over the US about 
the quality and completeness of our website 
<http://www.triangletrails.org/> at www.triangletrails.org . Thanks to 
webmaster Curt Devereux <mailto:devereux at gte.net>.
*Published* and *Distributed *a New *Color* TRTC and American Tobacco 
Trail brochure, which has been widely admired and eagerly taken.

*Installed *new brochure boxes to distribute ATT and TRTC brochures on 
trail kiosks in Durham and Wake counties.
 
*Composed* and distributed seven "almost monthly" American Tobacco Trail 
News E-Newsletters to some 900 ATT, TRTC and greenway friends. To 
receive these, click *here* <mailto:americantobaccotrail at earthlink.net> .

Whew! We've been *busy*! And I didn't have space for several more! And 
I've not been able to directly thank in this message the *dozens* of 
volunteers who have made this all possible!* Thank You!*

*In 2005 TRTC plans to:*

*Build* and informally *open* an ATT parking 
<mailto:americantobaccotrail at earthlink.net> area on Fayetteville Road. 
Then, we'll donate it to Durham Parks and Recreation.
 
*Continue* to keep *OPEN*, *mow* and *maintain* the /*6+ miles*/ of ATT 
in southern Durham and Chatham Counties mentioned above.

*Work* to *Improve* persistent drainage issues on ATT under and around 
the Fayetteville Road overpass in southern Durham.
*
Publish* an American Tobacco Trail User and System Map.

*Open* an additional 1.2 miles of natural-surface ATT in Chatham County.

Continue to *advocate* for purchase, planning and development of the 
future Durham Beltline and Timberlake Rail-Trails.

*Staff *and *set up *ATT/TRTC *Information Booths* at as many area 
events as we can.

*Work* with Wake County to *open* the remaining mile of ATT to the 
Chatham County line.

Continue to *encourage* Durham <http://www.ci.durham.nc.us/council/>, 
Chatham 
<http://www.co.chatham.nc.us/CountyCommissioners/CountyCommissioners.htm>, 
Wake <http://www.wakegov.com/general/commissioners/default.htm> county 
governments, state <http://www.ils.unc.edu/parkproject/trails/home.html> 
officials <http://www.ncdot.org/transit/bicycle/about/about_intro.html>, 
Congressman Price <http://www.house.gov/price/>, Senator Dole 
<http://dole.senate.gov/> and others to *complete the American Tobacco 
Trail.
*
Please email, write or call these leaders and staff and tell them you 
want them *do what it takes* to complete the American Tobacco Trail.  
Funding is especially needed for the *I-40 bridge*, and decking of 
Northeast and Panther Creek *trestles* in Chatham County.

And these are only a few of our plans and goals...
*
Why Do We Need Your /Tax-Deductible/ Contributions Now? 
To Keep Working on the American Tobacco Trail!*

*Insurance* costs *$1,300/year*, a load of gravel costs *$200*, a days' 
rental of a *chipper* or Bobcat is *$250*, a tank of *diesel fuel* costs 
*$10*, an *information kiosk *costs *$500-'$1000*, brochures are *25 
cents each*. The list goes on and on...

While some costs and expenses are covered by hard-won grants, many 
aren't. We get a lot of our tools use, gas and oil donated by their 
volunteer owners. *To everyone who has spent any time volunteering on 
the ATT, we give our grateful thanks!* But some tools and consumables 
must be purchased or even repaired. Last year volunteers contributed 
over 2,000 hours of their valuable time, tools and service to make the 
ATT happen, and we *thank you*. We expect just as many in 2005.
*
The point is*, your generous *contribution* NOW 
<http://triangletrails.org/MEMBERS.HTM> is *leveraged* and multiplied by 
in-kind donations, other grants and volunteer time. We don't have any 
paid staff, so* ALL* contributions go directly toward getting the ATT 
*open* and  *"on the ground.*"  *ALL contributions* help *promote* the 
growing use of the American Tobacco Trail by citizens of the Triangle 
and beyond.

If TRTC *weren't here* to do this work on the ATT in southern Durham and 
Chatham counties, over 6 miles of trail would *currently be closed* to 
use. *No one* would be able to *safely enjoy* and *use* this *beautiful 
*and well known *greenway*.
 
*An Investment for Generations*

Our own David Connelly <mailto:pedaling at mindspring.com> explained that 
he gives his contributions of time and money to TRTC 
<http://triangletrails.org/MEMBERS.HTM>, ECGA <http://greenway.org/>, 
TGC <http://trianglegreenways.org/membership.htm>, NC Rail-Trails 
<http://ncrail-trails.org/JOINNCRT.HTM> and other greenway and trails 
organizations who are /*building*/ trails because what they do *lasts* 
for more than a moment or a day, but for *years to come.*
 
Dave knows that trails and greenways, like the American Tobacco Trail 
are a *permanent, positive and healthy legacy* and* real investment *we 
can leave our children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and beyond. 
So he makes a *special effort* to* support* and *invest *in 
organizations that are busy working to promote, build and maintain 
trails and greenways for the long haul.  *Thanks Dave!*

*Please help *us continue the work to *complete the American Tobacco 
Trail* and make it the /Treasure of the Triangle/. Please make your 
year-end Tax-Deductible Contribution NOW 
<http://triangletrails.org/MEMBERS.HTM> to the TRTC.  *It's easy!* You can:

1. *Fill out*, print and mail in the *convenient form* below.
2. Go to our website <http://triangletrails.org/MEMBERS.HTM>, print out, 
and mail in the form.
3. Heck, you don't need no stinkin' form, *just mail your personal 
check* and a brief note if you  like to: *TRTC 
<http://triangletrails.org/MEMBERS.HTM> PO Box 61091 Durham, NC 27715.
4. *Go to our *PayPal 
<https://www.paypal.com/xclick/business=americantobaccotrail%40earthlink.net&item_name=Triangle+Rails-to-Trails+Conservancy&cn=Comments&tax=0&currency_code=USD&lc=US>* 
donation site and donate now.*
* 
Your *generous tax-deductible donation 
<https://www.paypal.com/xclick/business=americantobaccotrail%40earthlink.net&item_name=Triangle+Rails-to-Trails+Conservancy&cn=Comments&tax=0&currency_code=USD&lc=US>* 
helps *build* the *American Tobacco Trail,* and also helps TRTC do what 
it can to keep it in good condition. You can also join us for our 
regularly scheduled trail workdays 
<http://triangletrails.org/VOLUNTEERS.HTM>. You can put Scout, School 
and youth groups in touch with us because we need youth to help at our 
workdays <http://triangletrails.org/VOLUNTEERS.HTM>. We are also looking 
for *in-kind* donation of *goods and services*. Write us 
<mailto:americantobaccotrail at earthlink.net> for a wish list. 

Please *give <http://triangletrails.org/MEMBERS.HTM>* and* invest 
<http://triangletrails.org/MEMBERS.HTM>* what you can because it will 
*help build* sections of new trail, *maintain* what is there now and let 
us *tell folks* about the American Tobacco Trail. For donations and 
gifts of $50 and over we'll send you a letter for your tax records. 
Please indicate if you would like a letter for smaller donations. *Thank 
you* for your support now and over the years.

Happy Trails and Happy New Year,

Bill Bussey <mailto:americantobaccotrail at earthlink.net>
President
Triangle Rails-to-Trails Conservancy
919 545-9104
americantobaccotrail at earthlink.net

Clip this Form if you like. Set your browser *Print Range* setting to 
print Page 5 only.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Name: __________________________________________________________________

Address: _________________________________________________________________

City/ST/Zip: _______________________________________________________________

Home Phone: __________________________ Work 
Phone:_______________________________

Email: _______________________________________________________

Today's Date: __________________     Total Enclosed: ____________________

Make Checks to: *TRTC <http://triangletrails.org> PO Box 61091 Durham, 
NC 27715 *

Comments: 
_________________________________________________________________________

Memberships: Family $35,  Individual  $25,  Student: $10, Club or 
Organization: $50, Corporate  $150
*Donations of any amount are gratefully accepted! *
Fine Print: TRTC is a not-for-profit, charitable organization as 
qualified under Section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. 
Contributions are tax deductible to the extent permitted by law. 
Published using recycled electrons.

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://rtpnet.org/pipermail/trtc-volunteers/attachments/20041226/552406a8/attachment-0001.htm