Unspeakable Truths: Is Transforming Transportation A Key To Solving America's Economic Crisis?

Taken From: Transportation Communications Newsletter

In his fourth book in four years, Professor Joseph M. Giglio argues that our thinking about Transforming Transportation in America must evolve to reflect how the Financial Meltdown and Economic Crisis have changed our world.

To help understand why, his book begins by reviewing how the Current Economic Crisis came about and what impact it's likely to have on life in America.  He provides clear, detailed explanations of the Great Financial Meltdown of 2008, the whys and wherefores of subjects like Oil Price Volatility, the Crazy World of Financial Derivatives, and the Housing and Mortgage Mess. Plus the down-and-dirty realities of Markets in the 21st Century.  Finally, he explores some of the things we'll have to do to Make It Big in the much changed world of the 21st Century, such as transforming our Transportation Systems into Serious Economic Growth Generators.  The book is available on Amazon and from the publisher, the Hudson Institute.

See You in San Francisco!

The San Francisco Bay Area Section welcomes you to "Leave Your Heart and Find Solutions" at the 2010 WesternDistrict Annual Meeting! We'll be gathering at the historic Palace Hotel in downtown San Francisco from June 27-30, 2010. The Palace Hotel is located on Market Street above the Montgomery BART/MUNI Station, with easy access to Cable Cars, Union Square, Fisherman's Wharf, Alcatraz, the Ferry Building, AT&T Park, and the Golden Gate Bridge. So much to see and do - you'll want to spend the week! With BART trains from two Bay Area airports right to the Palace Hotel, and everything so close, you won't need a car. In addition to providing ample opportunities for networking, sightseeing, and socializing, the LAC is working hardon a high-quality technical program that will include multiple technical tracks, training workshops, and several tours.
For those that want to explore San Francisco a la The Amazing Race, we are planning the inaugural Western District MiteY Race on Sunday June 27th. Teams of students, professionals and families can compete in this awesome adventure that's not to be missed.

Visit our website for updates on the program and activities.
http://www.westernite.org/annualmeetings/meeting.htm
I look forward to seeing all of you in San Francisco in 2010!
Mark Spencer
2010 General Meeting Chair
mes@dksassociates.com

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Section and Chapter Updates

Western District Members,

Over the last several months my presidential duties have given me the opportunity to travel to a number of local section and chapter meetings including: New Mexico, Arizona, Northern California, and Montana. During these visits it was my privilege to meet many ITE members for the first time, and what I consistently found were members who are active and engaged in ITE. These individuals confirmed for me that ITE’s real strength is at the local level. While ITE is a large international organization, the real progress is being made by members who are engaged in their communities on a daily basis solving the real challenges of mobility and traffic safety, and planning the future of our transportation infrastructure. I can say that the future of our profession is brightened by the knowledge, skill and character of ITE members that I have been fortunate enough to witness firsthand.

President's Message Continued......

• Sept - A Year of Opportunity
• July - Summer Time
• May - Spring is Here

Congratulations to the Student Chapters selected for the 2010 Data Collection Fund:

• Montana State University – Downtown housing complex
• Portland State University – Mixed-Use urban facility
• University of Washington – High School
• UCLA – Coffee shops with drive through
• University of California, Berkeley – IKEA Store

For more information on the Data Collection Fund, click here.

The Student Endowment Fund was established to provide a self-sustaining funding source for the Student Initiatives Program the goal of which is to attract the best and the brightest to the transportation profession in the west.  In the past, these initiatives were modestly funded utilizing existing annual operating and annual meeting budgets which has limited the scope of the programs resulting in the use of operating reserves.  The Board projects that the Endowment Fund needs to reach $500,000 to be self-sustaining enough to generate enough annual revenue to support the District's student initiatives.  To date, we have made great strides towards meeting our financial goal with more than $200,000 raised for the Endowment Fund.

Visit the new Western District Student Endowment Fund website at www.westernite.org/endowment to find out more about the fund or make an online contribution.  While you’re there, find out more about the Student Initiatives Program, explore our photo gallery, or browse through our list of contributors.  In addition to the new website, the District has also established two Endowment Fund awards that will be presented at each Annual Meeting to recognize the Sections/Chapters that contribute the most to the fund throughout the year.