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Press Release

September 23, 2003

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FORMER MARYLAND GOVERNOR TO SPEAK ON THE "LEADERSHIP CHALLENGE" ON GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT

San Francisco—In a timely lecture on political leadership, former Maryland Governor Parris Glendening will speak at the Commonwealth Club of California about how elected officials can encourage growth and development while protecting the environment. The event will take place on Tuesday, September 30 at 6 PM at the Commonwealth Club, 595 Market Street at 2nd Street, in downtown San Francisco.

"This is a rare opportunity to hear from one of the country's leading experts on how elected officials can promote smart growth development," says Tom Steinbach, Executive Director of Greenbelt Alliance. "Elected leaders in California have much to learn from Governor Glendening about stopping sprawl development and creating livable communities."

Parris Glendening served as Governor of Maryland from 1995 to 2003. His Smart Growth initiative of 2000, which aimed to end sprawl, preserve open space, and revitalize existing communities, received several prestigious awards, including the Harvard Innovations in American Government Award. Parris Glendening is currently the President of the Smart Growth Leadership Institute in Washington, DC.

The event is co-sponsored by Greenbelt Alliance, the Association of Bay Area Governments, and East Bay Community Foundation. The event is made possible through the generosity of the Evelyn & Walter Haas, Jr. Fund, East Bay Community Foundation, Alameda Waste Management Authority, and Lockheed Martin Corporation.

Governor Glendening will deliver his speech, "Achieving Smart Growth: The Leadership Challenge," at 6 PM; a wine and cheese reception begins at 5:15 PM.

Governor Glendening is also available for media interviews the morning of Tuesday September 30.

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For 50 years, Greenbelt Alliance has been the San Francisco Bay Area's advocate for open spaces and vibrant places, with offices in San Francisco, San Jose, Walnut Creek, Fairfield, and Santa Rosa. www.greenbelt.org