I encourage you all to participate in the “Park It” (and Win a Prize) contest, which will run from Sept. 15-30.  This event is part of the Cool City initiatives that the City of Austin is working on, with the goal of reducing our community’s carbon footprint and encouraging healthy lifestyles.

On Sept.17, 2007, I signed the “U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement” with the unanimous support of the Austin City Council, making Austin the 29th “Cool City” in Minnesota.  There will be many steps in the process, but with your involvement, we can make Austin a “Cool City” and reduce our greenhouse gas emissions.

To learn more about the steps a city takes to become a “Cool City,” please visit  www.becoolgogreenaces.com and view the “Cool City” 2008 presentation (upper right corner).  I encourage everyone to participate in “Park It” (& Win a Prize).  Help us to become a healthier community with a smaller carbon footprint. Thank you for your interest and participation.

Thomas S. Stiehm

Mayor, City of Austin