I think that contacting Reps Pingree and Michaud is an excellent
complement to contacting Senator Collins. I think that those who contact
them can and should express any opinion they want as to where the funding should
come from
From: Maine GeoNews
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Gary Higginbottom
Sent: Tuesday, March 09, 2010 2:20 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Appropriate use of Geolibrary list serve
Greg's and Ken's opinions are very well taken, and I will
desist after making a couple of clarifying points - in a milder fashion --
If this List Serve is being asked to contact Senator Collins regarding funding
for GIS-related support then is it not appropriate to consider similar action
regarding government funding policies that influence the ability to get such
work done for the public good? I suggest that people whose good work
depends on government funding look at root causes of current funding problems
and take action accordingly. Contacting Senator Collins is one
response. Contacting Reps Pingree and Michaud re. government funding
priorities is another. As with other basic and important services, if GIS
cannot be adequately funded, it becomes difficult to "further GIS in the
State of Maine".
--Gary Higginbottom
Ken Murchison wrote:
I
concur with Mr. Copeland, this is not a chat a blog or even a tweet it is a
list serve intended to further the interest of GIS and related fields within
the State of Maine.
Ken
Murchison,
Maine
GeoLibrary Board Member
From:
Maine GeoNews [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
On Behalf Of Copeland, Greg
Sent: Tuesday, March 09, 2010 11:52 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Appropriate use of Geolibrary list serve
Although
Mr. Higginbottom may bring up points that are valid for many, his post,
in my opinion, is inappropriate on the Geolibrary listserv. Mr.
Higginbottom makes a good point that money spent overseas could be used here
instead, but, it is my opinion that he has used this forum to promote a view
that does nothing to further GIS in the State of Maine. This is an
non-moderated list serve for the purposes of advancing GIS, not making
political statements against the war. Mr. Higginbottom, please refrain
from misusing this list serve and limit your posts to at least mostly GIS
related topics.
Gregory
J. Copeland, PLS
Member,
Maine Library of Geographic Information.
From:
Maine GeoNews [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
On Behalf Of Gary Higginbottom
Sent: Tuesday, March 09, 2010 11:17 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: changes in USGS budget for FY11
Yet
another reason to support www.BringOurWarDollarsHome.org
.
People have to finally get it through their heads -- and take action on -- the
fact that the outrageous level of war spending that takes $340 million out of
Mainers' pockets each year results in reductions in other economic functions --
including government services. School funding, transportation funding,
business expansion, technology advancement. Start banging on our Congress
to shut off the drain of funds for war and bring the $$ home. Our current
path is bankrupting our economy, and funding for mapping/GIS technology is just
one small piece of a huge problem.
Do something about a major underlying source of the problem!!!
Reps Pingree and Michaud will vote on the next war funding bill within two
months.
Give them your opinion now --
Rep. Chellie Pingree
57 Exchange Street, Suite 302
Portland, ME 04101
Phone: (207) 774-5019
http://www.pingree.house.gov/
Rep. Mike Michaud
6 State Street, Suite 101
Bangor, ME 04401
Phone: 207-942-6935
http://www.michaud.house.gov/
Gary Higginbottom
Portland
Smith, Michael wrote:
I wanted to make
everyone aware of a proposed budget change for USGS in FY11. USGS is
proposing to eliminate all of the "Partnership" funding which is used
to match state and local dollars for acquisition of GIS data, such as aerial
photos and lidar. This elimination is $3.5M and is outlined in the budget
'greenbook' at http://www.usgs.gov/budget/2011/2011index.asp (pages
F-11 and I-29).
Maine has used this
funding in the past to match several state or municipal projects including:
2003-2004
GeoLibrary-funded 1ft and 2ft orthophotos $1.6M
2006 central coastal
towns (mostly Cumberland, Saco to Bath) 6" orthophotos $21,600
2007 York county
6" orthophotos $35,000
2009 Androscoggin
County lidar $92,000
In all cases USGS provided
a portion of the funding, but not all, anywhere from 20-50% of the cost,
leveraging local and state dollars in return for inexpensive data.
If passed, this
budget change may impact your town or county's geospatial plans, reducing the
ability to find federal matching dollars for collection of new aerial photos or
lidar.
The budget is not
finalized and must be approved by Congress. Maine's senator Susan Collins
sits on the Appropriations subcommittee that will have the first look at this
budget and make modifications probably next week. If you feel this may
impact your geospatial plans, you might consider discussing the issue with her
staff by phone or by letter.
*****************
Michael Smith
State GIS Manager, Maine Office of GIS
Board Member, Maine GeoLibrary
Board Member, Maine GIS Users Group
State Rep,
National States Geographic Information Council
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