One project approved was $600,000 in stimulus money to provide the additional funding needed for completion of the Truman Linear Park phase II which would link Daffin and Lake Mayer Park along the Truman Parkway. The city also will be asking for stimulus funding for their President Street makeover, some of which will likely include bike facilities.

The short answer, unfortunately, though, is that precious little of the money spent in this area will go to these types of projects, since they are nice soundbites but generally not priorities. We hope to change that by persistent presence at planning meetings, and also through the update of our long range transporation plan that will start this year.

An outrageously long answer, I know. The bottom line is that it will require constant pressure and attention to keep these issues in the minds of our elected officials.