April 30, 2009, 2 email.

F. D. wrote:

Are you aware that the province is planning to have 350-500 trains in our backyards? This isn’t just possible – it is being planned right now! Help us make a difference!

The Clean Train Coalition wants to promote a massive letter writing campaign along the corridor.

I’m coordinating volunteers within the Brockton Triangle (if you live closer to Dufferin Grove—please respond to Jutta’s e-mail)

Do you have a few hours to spare (even one hour?) over this coming weekend? (if you don’t have time this weekend, read to the bottom of this message…)

We’d like to conduct an information blitz to:

-inform neighbours of Metrolinx's plan to expand use of soon-to-be obsolete diesel trains

-and to encourage them to write a series of letters to various politicians, urging them to demand electrification of the expanded rail service.

Depending on how many volunteers we have, we may do a door-to-door canvas or info blitzes outside busy local hangouts. We’d love to involve kids too! Perhaps we can get them to sidewalk chalk some drawings of their ideal train line to help us draw attention to the issue. The more creative and fun we can do this the better! Your ideas are most welcome!

If you can spare some time, please let me know:

-how many hours you’re free

-and what times you’re free (morning, afternoon, evening)

-and which days (Saturday, Sunday)

'If you don’t have time to help out with this campaign, you can still take part!! The actions below will take you just a few minutes. '

v We urge you to go to www.cleantrain.ca where you can find out more about this issue and sign up for updates. The letters will be available on the website THIS WEEKEND.

v Most importantly, we’d like you to download the letters to your politicians, and then print and send them out on Monday May 4th so that the full force of our stance on this issue will be felt in one large mailing. You can also e-mail your politician if you prefer, though mailed letters tend to carry more “weight”.

v And tell your neighbours! Our list has over 250 members right now. Commit to ensuring that at least 3 of your neighbours also send letters If we do it right, we have a chance to send thousands of letters just from the Brockton Triangle!

From: Clean Train Coalition

Please forward to your Networks!

Join our mailing list at www.cleantrain.ca

Thank you for signing up to support the Clean Train Coalition! We know that you are as concerned as we are about the proposed plan. Working together we will make a difference and prove that Clean Transit is Possible!

CLEAN LETTER DAY IS ALMOST HERE!!

The letters are now available for download at www.cleantrain.ca. Remember – our plan is to overwhelm Premier McGuinty, our MPPs and eight key Ministers with a flood of letters. The idea is to have as many people as possible send these letters on Monday, May 4 so that they all arrive within a short window.

Instructions

Visit www.cleantrain.ca and click the link to access the letters. All the instructions are there! Basically, you are just going to download, print, sign and mail a letter to the Premier, your MPP, and as many of the 9 Key Ministers as possible. But think about the possibilities for outreach:

Go door to door!

Go to neighbourhood events!

Set up a booth!

Get your local business to support the movement!

3,500 Letters

Our mailing list is now at 350 people. If we each get 10 people to mail letters, we’re going to get 3,500 letters in the Premier’s inbox next Tuesday and Wednesday. Imagine the scene! Trust the network – if you do it, everyone else will too. We can make a difference! Tweet Tweet

Are your Facebook friendly? Are you a blogger or Twitterer? Get the message out by connecting your networks to www.cleantrain.ca and get them to help with Clean Letter Day and our other activities.

The Better Move

Metrolinx has created The Big Move, a document that outlines their vision for expansion of rail transit. Well, we’re planning a rebuttal! The Clean Train Coalition is working on The Better Move – an alternate vision for clean transit in our region that takes into account the well-being of our neighbourhoods. We’ll be using this document to show that alternatives are possible. If you have specific technical knowledge and want to contribute to the report, send us a note.

Next Steps

We’re planning more campaign ideas, more research and more outreach, so stay tuned for further updates. We’re also planning some fundraisers to keep things going and hope you will contribute to the Clean Train Coalition!

Help get the word out - get your neighbours to sign up to http://www.cleantrain.ca