This Month In History

This is a new feature of citizensleague.net where we will browse through our archives to look back on the great work of the League. If you'd like to contribute a story, please contact us

20 Years Ago

The Citizens League Joins the Information Age
And we thought we needed to update our technology! In the February 1984 issue of CL News the Citizens League announced its triumphal leap into the information age, phasing in the use of a "data processing/word processing system" to replace the now long-deceased typewriter as the driving force behind office work.

Last month the Citizens League updated to a Windows 2003 Small Business Server system with 5 Dell Desktops and 1 Dell laptop. Ah, how times change!

30 Years Ago

Personalized Rapit Transit
The Feb. 16, 1974 Citizens League News featured a note from Director Ted Kolderie exploring the possibilities of small-vehicle transit options such as "'personalized rapid transit' - small, automated vehicles, on fixed guideways, operating on demand." These "horizontal elevators," he argued, "should be directed toward major activity centers as central St. Paul, central Minneapolis and the major suburban concentrations."

In January of 1974, the president of Westinghouse spoke to a group of business executives in St. Paul, predicting that by 1985, "it is expected we will have 'horizontal elevators' like they now use at the airports in Tampa and Seattle-Tacoma," and that "It is also estimated that electrified rapid transit will take about 12 percent of the commuters out of automobiles."

Currently, Senior Program Associate Bob DeBoer is preparing for the upcoming Transportation Study Committee. Personalized Rapid Transit (PRT) is one option that the committee is likely to explore.

40 Years Ago

The Citizens League Launches Major Membership and Finance Drive
February 1964 marked the beginning of a major membership and finance drive for the Citizens League. The goal of the membership drive, led by Membership Committee Chairman Archie Spencer, was to register 500 new members by April 30, 1964. Gordon Murray, Chairman of the Finance Campaign, was charged with raising $56,000, attempting to break the 1963 League record of $54,066.

Archie Spencer stated that "The continued effectiveness of the League requires periodic concerted efforts to strengthen our membership base." We couldn't agree more. With the regeneration of the League in the 21st Century, an increased membership is a key priority.