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PLANNING = PATIENCE & PERSISTENCE
   
By Jim Ranfranz
Executive Director

What’s the old expression, “even a blind squirrel occasionally finds an acorn”? This old saying even has application to regional planning and the preparation of transportation plans in particular.

 It wasn’t very long ago that NIRPC was on the national “bleeding edge” of the Environmental Justice movement. In 1999 our agency and planning process were evaluated under the National microscope of an overly sensitive Federal establishment who desperately wanted to show the Environmental Justice community at the National level that they weren’t insensitive Federal bureaucrats.

That time was very painful for us for many reasons, not the least of which was, we thought we had done not only a reasonable job of outreach but a responsive job of planning. While we were never not certified, we were only “conditionally” certified and were directed to do a bunch of “stuff” which caused our local antagonists to really feel empowered. Trust me – it was a miserable, awful, low time.

We continue to work hard and do the right things. Our 2002 Certification Review was “clean”. In addition, it was with great joy that we read this morning’s paper to see the following Letter to the Editor.

“NIRPC 2030 plan focuses on reducing urban sprawl

          The Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission recently approved the adoption of the Goals and Objections for the 2030 Plan. NIRPC is charged with conducting transportation planning for the region. They receive millions of dollars from federal and state governments to forecast populations trends, analyze economic development opportunities and conduct transportation analysis and planning.

          The Policy Subcommittee for the 2030 Plan developed the Goals and Objectives. They incorporate principles that serve as guidelines that proposed transportation projects must be analyzed against. The Goals and Objectives of the 2030 Plan, unlike prior NIRPC Plans, seek to ensure inclusion, equity and justice in the allocation of federal and state dollars.

          The Goals and Objectives reflect that transportation dollars and economic development should be focused on improving the urban core of Northwest Indiana. It also reflects the vision to reduce the negative effects of sprawl. It addresses the need for greater equity in the distribution of the benefits of economic development, as well as a need to distribute the burden of pollution due to increased traffic.

          We have drafted a set of Goals and Objectives that reflect the diversity of the region, a vision of regional cooperation and a framework for social justice in the area of transportation planning and economic development.

                              Bryan K. Bullock, Chairman

                              Policy Subcommittee for the 2030 Plan”

This didn’t happen because we were “blind squirrels”. This staff worked patiently with all facets of our region, particularly the Environmental Justice community. All I can say is, “Patience and persistence pay.”

On another matter…as we look forward to hosting the MPO 2004 Conference here in the region, we begin to reflect on what we might show you all. As we continue to struggle with the restructuring of our industrial base – steel in particular – a new industry has risen on Indiana’s coastline….Gaming! This 6000+ jobs industry is bringing big $$$ to our state. Consider the following revenue distributions:

Northwestern Indiana Casino Revenue Distributions

1996-2001

                    Build Indiana                                   $  646,400,000

                    Cities with Casinos                              323,300,000

                    Lake County                                         80,100,000

                    Horse Racing Comm.                            70,100,000

                    State Fair Comm.                                  16,200,000

                    LaPorte County                                     16,100,000

                    Convention & Visitors                           10,800,000

                    Div Mental Health                                 10,800,000

                             TOTAL                               $1,173,800,000

          It is possible to have a conference at any one of 4 hotels, each of which has excellent meeting facilities. Who knows, you might get lucky and hit a big one. Just think, you could win enough to get out of this crazy profession and do something legitimate.  Seriously, we MPOs and our planning partners will continue to do great things for the people of Indiana through patience and persistence.