Save money, the planet, and your health!
6:30pm Thursday, October 1, 2015
A 1st Thursday program hosted by the Space Coast Progressive Alliance
Location: The Front Street Civic Center, 2205 Front St., Melbourne, FL 32901
Free and open to the public. Donations gratefully accepted.
SPEAKER/PANELISTS will be followed by Q&A from the audience.
Bob Kamm, Director of the Space Coast Transportation Planning Organization (SCTPO)
Jenni Lamb, P.E., City Engineer, City of Melbourne
Jim Liesenfelt, Transit Director, Space Coast Area Transit (SCAT) of Brevard County
Tony Sasso, Executive Director, Keep Brevard Beautiful, seafarers’ advocate for International Transport Workers Federation
Barry Watkins, Founder, Walkable Brevard
note: Molly Tasker, attorney and Melbourne City Council Member had to be cancel due to must-do conflict
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BACKGROUND + ABOUT OUR SPEAKERS
1st Thursday, Leave your car at home
Save money, the planet, and your health!
by Bonnie Ida, Space Coast Progressive Alliance
FIVE PANELISTS discuss what Brevard County is doing -- and should do -- to encourage alternates to driving your car.
Car ownership and driving is central to most of our lives. We love the convenience, but there’s a down side. In some ways the supremacy of the automobile creates a culture that controls us. And our addiction to automobile transportation is not sustainable.
We find ourselves on the verge of “game over” for rescuing our planet from the ravages of climate change, in large part due to the burning of fossil fuels.
Meanwhile, having given up propelling ourselves with our own muscles, our bodies have weakened, and we find ourselves overweight. How did this happen?
If we have stores, offices and restaurants nearby, we feel forced to drive there when we would prefer a stroll (if only we had time!). Many streets are unsafe for crossing on foot -- and for riding bikes. Why do bike lanes and sidewalks suddenly end, leaving us stranded?
Passenger rail sounds like a great benefit to us as a transportation option. But not if it doesn’t stop in Brevard. Why no Amtrak in Brevard? Our panel will inform us what is happening on this issue.
And what about SCAT (Space Coast Area Transit -- the bus)? How can we make it work for us? The director of SCAT will be at the meeting to answer our questions.
SPEAKERS PANEL will be followed by Q+A from the audience.
Topics include All Aboard Florida, Complete Streets, SCAT and bike/ped mobility
Bob Kamm: Director of the Space Coast Transportation Planning Organization (SCTPO), moved to Florida from the Midwest in 1987, at which time he was hired by SCTPO and has worked there ever since. He developed a nationally recognized elementary school bicycle and pedestrian safety program. He was instrumental in implementing the Pineda Extension, the Max Brewer Bridge replacement and major widening projects on I-95, US Hwy 1 and Palm Bay Road.
Jenni Lamb, P.E.: City Engineer for the City of Melbourne for 10 years. Jenni serves on the Space Coast TPO’s Technical Advisory Committee. A graduate of the University of Florida, she became a registered engineer with the State of Florida in 1999. Jenni has lived in Brevard County for 18 years. The City of Melbourne’s Engineering Department is currently working on two Safe Routes to School projects, three complete streets projects, and numerous sidewalk, bike path, and roadway projects.
Jim Liesenfelt: Transit Director for Space Coast Area Transit (SCAT) of Brevard County, Florida for 18 years. Previously SCAT Manager of Planning and Finance and a Transit Planner. Since Jim has become Transit Director, total system ridership has grown from 795,000 yearly passenger trips to 2.8 million passenger trips. Under his leadership, Space Coast Area Transit has been named as Florida’s Outstanding Transit System in 2011 and the Best Small Transit System in the nation in 2003. Space Coast Area Transit has won numerous state and national marketing awards and three of Space Coast Area Transit’s Operators have been named as State Bus Driver or Paratransit Driver of the Year. Jim Liesenfelt has resided in Brevard County since graduating from Indiana University with his wife and five children. Jim currently serves on the City of West Melbourne’s Planning and Zoning Board.
Tony Sasso: Executive director of Keep Brevard Beautiful and a seafarers’ advocate for the International Transport Workers Federation, Tony has served on the Brevard Cultural Alliance, Lead Brevard, the Cocoa Beach Jr. Sr. High School Advisory Committee, Surfrider Foundation, Propeller Club, Area Maritime Security Committee, and Space Coast League of Cities and Boy Scouts. He was also vice chair of the Port Canaveral Charter Review Committee. Tony is a former Cocoa Beach City Commissioner and Florida Legislator. He remains committed to community projects, effective government, free speech and the environment.
Barry Watkins: Founder of Walkable Brevard, Barry grew up in Brevard County and currently resides in Rockledge. He has worked as an architectural and urban designer since 1986. He owns B.A. Watkins, a real estate consulting firm.
