Fresno County Bicycle Coaliton

Member Attendance: Pete Seerden, Gene Richards, Lori Cherry, Jeff Roberts, Louise Colbert-Mar, Theresia Rogerson, David Pepper, Cindy Moffet, Scott England, Bruce Morris, John Richau, Duane Hanson.

Guests: Mike Shuemake (Team in Training), Ted Johnson, Elsia Fogg, Dave ___, Nora Dewitt, Amber ___, Janice ___, Jonathon ___, Chad ___.

If you haven't submitted your membership renewal, please do so as soon as possible. Information at: fresnocobike@aol.com.

Treasurer's Report: Expenditures - $172.60 for Winterfest invitations, $250 for Winterfest party at the Santa Fe Basque Restaurant, which was very successful. Ending balance - $1185.89.

Mike Shuemake, Race Director for the Central Valley Classic –

Previous Tower Criterion race was a 1-day event but this year will be expanding to two days – March 12–13. Race Course will be along Kearney Boulevard to the park – 9 laps, 14.8 miles. Mike is asking the cycling community to help make this a success – needs volunteers, course marshals, host housing and getting the word out to the cycling public to bring in spectators. A portion of the proceeds from the event will go to Team in Training honoree – Parker Fitsch. Mike can be reached at: mike@cvtr.com. Booth space for FCBC will be available as well as announcements about upcoming BtWWeek events.

Nora Dewitt, R.N. at Valley Children's Hospital –

Nora is selling a poster to benefit Parker Fitsch which she showed to us – very beautiful and many attendees bought copies. She is also asking for bicycle donations for F.I.R.M. – which offers help to refugees in our community. Call Bobby Herr – 487-1500 (x137) if you have a bike to donate. The Fresno Free Bike Clinic and Chris Eacock will help repair bikes.

Paul Dorn of the California Bicycle Coalition (CBC) again requested our membership list. It was decided to send out CBC's request for memberships but not share our membership list. Also, it was suggested that CBC ask all California bike coalitions to become group members and that FCBC would be happy to join.

Measure C –

The Coalition for Livable Fresno County Communities (CLFCC) opposed the previous Measure C extension and is attempting to work with many diverse members of the community to design a new Measure C – half-cent sales tax for Fresno County transportation issues, like Highway 168 – aka, the highway to know-where, but which could be used for road maintenance, mass transit, bike lanes, etc. CLFCC requests the FCBC to send a representative to the soon to be formed Measure C Steering Committee. Anyone interested in these very important issues that will affect Fresno County for many years to come should plan to attend the CLFCC meetings held on occasional Tuesday mornings at 8 am at Stone Soup, near CSUF. Write Nick Paladino (ndpaladino@sbcglobal.net) or Gene Richards (gene1@cvip.net).

Website Update –

John Richau, our Webmaster, says we need to change from a .com to a .org domain. Agreed. He also requested a subcommittee to make decisions concerning site design and content. So besides John, there will be Pete, Mark, and Louise. The site is up and running with much interesting material, like recent articles, meeting minutes, a discussion board for how we ride, current events and links. However, John is still working on both the design and content. He requests all council members to send him a photo (he can scan a snapshot). Be sure to send John any possible content, calendar items, etc. at info@fresnobike.com.

Meeting length –

Discussed frustration of not being able to conduct adequate discussion at our monthly meetings because of time constraints. Decided to meet from 6 pm to 8 pm and forego social hour until after the meeting at our new location, where they are open later.

Bike to Work Week –

A subcommittee is meeting to begin planning for BtWW events. These will be posted on the Website. All members and cyclists are requested to help out in some way, especially with the planning. As our premier event of the year, where we spend the most money and energy and are the most visible, we can only have the most productive impact if everyone participates. Subcommittee members so far are: Gene, Scott, Pete, Mark, Louise, Jeff. Can you join us at the next meeting?

Mardi Gras –

The Bicycle Works is sponsoring the FCBC entry into the Mardi Gras Parade in the Tower District this year. Meet at Duane's shop to decorate bikes and each other at 10 am, Sunday, February, 6. The shop is at 1461 N. Van Ness #C, across from Club Fred. Party after Mardi Gras parade at Club Fred.

Next meeting is February 17, 6 pm, at the Revue Cafe. Only 3 months left till BtWW – come help us prepare!