Pro-SMART Rally Set This Week as Contracts to Be OK'd

Despite an over the weekend, the SMART project is expected to move ahead Wednesday with the likely award of two contracts for Phase I and the likely OK to issue bonds.

Those steps are expected to take place at the 2:30 p.m. SMART board meeting in Santa Rosa.

Meanwhile, a pro-SMART rally has been set for Thursday by local labor leaders, bike coalition members and other SMART backers.

Called "SMART Supporters Rally in Support of Infrastructure Jobs," the event will be held Thursday, Nov. 17 at 12 noon at the future Santa Rosa SMART station stie at Railroad Square.

Sonoma County Bicycle Coalition leader Sandra Lupien said she plans to address the audience at the rally, along with at least three other scheduled speakers. These include Lisa Maldonado, executive director of the North Bay Central Labor Council Jack Swearengen from Friends of SMART and Ben Boyce with the Accountable Development Coalition, which works to promote sustainable development.

Lupien said the rally was "in support of local infrastructure jobs, including those provided by the SMART Train & Pathway Project," she said.

"Organizers represent groups that are members of the SMART Riders Coalition, a group of individuals, and union, business, and nonprofit organizations working together in support of the Sonoma Marin Area Rail Transit Train and Pathway [SMART]," Lupien said.

Check back on Patch later this week for information on Wednesday's SMART board meeting and other developments.