Dear Mr. Gmeindle,

 

My name is Matthew Watson.  I am an 8th grader at Suncrest Middle School here in Morgantown, WV.  I have a strong interest in riding my bike to school, but my school does not have a bicycle rack for me to lock my bicycle to when I get there.  I have already written a petition to have my classmates sign to show their interest in getting this bicycle rack at our school, and hope that this will show the administration the interest in getting one.  To this point, my petition has approximately 70 signatures, but I am sure that I will have many more in the days to come.  In fact, many students and their parents have approached me to say that they are really excited about the idea of getting a bicycle rack so that they can ride to school.  I have also approached the school Parent-Teacher-Group to ask that I be allowed to talk at their next meeting about getting this bicycle rack.  I have been placed on the agenda for the next meeting in early September. 

 

My father works at the Coliseum with Dr. Christiaan Abildso and was talking with him about my push to get a bicycle rack at my school.  Dr. Abildso mentioned your name and the Bike Morgantown initiative.  He also indicated that you might have a budget or grant program that might allow me to secure the funds to purchase a bicycle rack for my school.  I would love to talk with you more about this opportunity.  I am very excited about this possibility given the mission of your group as I read more about it on your website ("....advocate for the provision of bicycle travel opportunities to and from locations such as residential, employment, commercial, education, recreation and transit centers; promote the development of safe bicycle routes to schools;").  Based upon what I have read, I feel as if your group is the perfect group for me to ask for help from.  If you are unable to help me, do you have any ideas where I might go for help?

 

Thank you very much for any help that you might be able to give me.  I look forward to hearing from you in the near future. You may contact me at this e-mail address, or call my father on his cell phone at 304-692-1454  

 

Sincerely,

 

Matthew Watson