On Friday I eagerly waited to hear news on whether the U.S. House of Representatives had passed the climate change bill, called the American Clean Energy and Security Act. When I finally heard the news that it had done so, I gave my wife a high-five.

The legislation is far from perfect, but it’s clear that given the way our political system works, this is the best we could get from the House right now. Finally as a nation we have begun to take responsibility for the changes that we are making in the climate. Too often in the past, our actions on this issue have been shameful. Still, advocacy group emails are saying that the fight over the bill in the Senate will be even tougher, as Republicans deride the bill as simply an “energy tax” and many Democrats succumb to coal and oil interests in their states.

I have a family connection to this legislation as well. My brother-in-law is an economist working on the legislation for the House Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming, chaired by Rep. Ed Markey (D-Mass.).

Here are some of the key provisions of the bill, as reported in a press release from that committee: Read the rest of this entry »

Two recent actions by Republicans have made me think that I should write an opinion piece on why conservatives and libertarians should support nonmotorized transportation. Here are those two Republican actions:

1. Yesterday in his news conference presenting the cuts he is making to the state budget, Minnesota governor Tim Pawlenty made a comment about unnecessary or wasteful spending by cities. He cited as an example a director of nonmotorized transportation for the city of Minneapolis, though in the following breath he noted that the position is federally funded. He was apparently referring to a position funded by the city’s role in the federal Nonmotorized Transportation Pilot Program.

2. Earlier this month the Republican leadership of the U.S. House of Representatives called for eliminating several federal nonmotorized transportation programs. In a list of cuts (pdf) that they would make to reduce the budget deficit, the Republicans included the following programs: Safe Routes to Schools, the Nonmotorized Transportation Pilot Program, and Transportation Enhancements. This is an extreme step, indeed, and not likely to win the hearts of all those walkers, wheelchair users, and cyclists out there.

I learned about the latter action at the League of American Bicyclists web site. See the June 5 post on their advocacy page, which has these good comments from League President Andy Clarke: Read the rest of this entry »

As our son approaches 18 months of age, I’ve begun to look for a permanent full-time job. For nearly five years now, ever since moving to Northfield, Minnesota, I’ve cared for our children and done freelance work in test development.

I hope to find work here in Northfield, the Twin Cities, or nearby, and I’m looking for a position that might use my skills in writing, research, editing, education, or educational assessment. I’m also open to opportunities in sustainable or active transportation, or in “green” issues in general, since I’ve done volunteer work in that field. If you know of opportunities, feel free to let me know via my contact page.

Earlier this week I attended a career development seminar in Minneapolis. I found that methods for finding work have changed since I was last on the job hunt. As with everything else, the Internet has changed the game. One of the speakers, a Minnesotan named Jill Konrath, strongly urged us to get on LinkedIn and to have recommendations sent there as well. This echoed what a friend recently told me. She also suggested having a blog or web site and writing on topics related to your professional field.

As with some other job search gurus, Konrath tells job seekers to “create a job” rather than simply fight for the few that are advertised. She advises people to emphasize the value that they can bring employers, to sell outcomes rather than simply themselves.

She has written a book called Get Back to Work Faster, which is available for free at her web site. If you sign up by July 31, you can get a free “Performance Style and Ambitions” assessment and a LinkedIn “networking success kit.”

Pete Machalek of SagePresence did a fine presentation as well about techniques for presenting yourself in a variety of job-search situations. He has a background working with actors, and his exercises were useful for seeing how to get past issues that block us, including nervousness and self-consciousness in interview situations.

It was about four years ago that I began working as a volunteer bike and pedestrian advocate here in Northfield, Minnesota. There aren’t too many changes that I can point to and say, I helped that to happen. I can only say that some important changes in local planning have occurred, and the local discussion about transportation has shifted to better include all modes of transportation.

Perhaps the most significant result that I’ve helped to achieve is winning a Safe Routes to Schools non-infrastructure grant for Northfield in 2008. (Many people played a role in that project.) A large portion of the grant has paid for a technical/engineering study of walking and biking routes around Northfield’s three elementary schools and its middle school. Now that study is wrapping up, and the public can view the draft of the plan at an upcoming open house.

What follows is a message about the open house prepared by Brian Welch of the City of Northfield.

The results of our study and the proposed Safe Routes to School Plan for Northfield schools will be presented at a Community Open House scheduled for Wed., June 10, 2009 from 6:00–8:00 p.m. in the Bridgewater Elementary School cafeteria located at 401 Jefferson Parkway.

Please join us to understand the findings of our study and proposed improvements to provide safer walking and bicycling conditions for our students, while having the opportunity to provide feedback.  If you have any questions, please contact Brian Welch at 507-645-3027 or Brian.Welch@ci.northfield.mn.us.

A representative from Mn/DOT will be there.  The format will be informal with easels/posters arranged around the room and chairs/tables available for discussions and for the public to fill out comment cards. Possible solutions for the Highway 246/Jefferson Parkway intersection will be included.