***Forum-Transportation Planning Lexington, April 1, 9:30AM/9:45AM, First Friday Forum,  “Complete Streets:  Transportation Planning for Lexington’s Future”.LWV of Lexington, Cary Memorial Library, 1874 Massachusetts Avenue, Lexington.

“In communities across the country, a movement is growing to “complete” the streets. States, cities, and towns are asking their planners and engineers to build roads that are safer, more accessible, and easier for everyone. In the process, they are creating better communities for people to live, play, work, and shop.”

      The League of Women Voters of Lexington’s April 1 First Friday Forum will highlight some of the current transportation planning activities underway in Lexington and possible future planning directions, especially with a view to mobility in and around town that is less dependent on single-occupancy vehicles. 

      Planning Board members Richard Canale and Michelle Ciccolo, Town Engineer John Livsey, and Sara Arnold of the Transportation Advisory Committee will discuss how Lexington can design better streets and roads, introduce more bicycle and walking paths, and have a more effective public transportation system, so that people are less dependent on their cars.  The panelists will also discuss benefits – economic, environmental, social – the Town might realize with a comprehensive future transportation plan in place.

      This is seventh in a series of 2010-2011 First Friday Forums hosted by the League of Women Voters of Lexington to promote awareness and understanding of public policy issues.  Coffee will be available at 9:30 a.m. and presentations will begin at 9:45 in the Community Meeting Room on the lower level of Cary Memorial Library, 1874 Massachusetts Avenue.  The library is easily accessible by Lexpress and from the Minuteman Bikeway.  For more information or to carpool, contact the League at 781-862-6435.  All League forums are open to the public at no charge.

 

*** "Annual League of Women Voters Civics Bee", April 3, 2PM,Ephraim Curtis Middle School, 22 Pratts Mill Road, Sudbury LWV, Sudbury, Wayland and Weston Free and open to public

THREE TOWNS WILL COMPETE IN ANNUAL LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS CIVICS BEE

            Teams from Sudbury, Wayland and Weston will vie for the League of Women Voters trophy in the third annual Civics Bee Sunday, April 3. Teams of three middle school students, three high school students and three adults from each town will demonstrate their knowledge of the U.S. Supreme Court in the competition, sponsored by the Leagues in the three towns.

            Last year, Wayland took home the trophy, while Weston won the first Civics Bee.

       It is free, and the public is encouraged to come cheer for their town team.

            "We expect a hotly-contested event.  The sports rivalry among these towns is equaled by the academic rivalry," said Bonnie Glass, co-president of the Sudbury League, which is hosting this year's Bee. The Bee Master, or moderator, will be Jo-Ann Berry, co-chair of the League of Women Voters of Massachusetts' citizen education committee.  Richard Albert, assistant professor at Boston College Law School, a specialist in constitutional law, democratic theory and comparative constitutional law, will be the judge.

            Three team members, one from each age group, will answer each set of questions as a team.  

            The towns' Leagues are currently recruiting members for their teams.  If you want to participate please contact:  Sudbury, Bonnie Glass, robertaglass@comcast.net; Wayland,  Mary Antes, mantes2@verizon.net, and Weston, Katty Chace, TackC@aol.com.  Contestants can participate every third year.  Anyone from the three towns is eligible except for current social studies teachers and attorneys specializing in constitutional law.

Note to Editors:  Reporters and photographers are welcome at this event.