On November 6, 2007, I and many other citizens of Indianapolis went to the polls and cast an overwhelming vote for change. It was the first time in 40 years that an incumbent mayor was voted out of office. Apparently, the challenger's message: "Had Enough?" resonated within our community. Although it is yet unclear what the consequences of this change will bring, many felt the need to chart a new direction. And so, change, as yet undefined, has come to our community through the power engendered in the citizen. This trust in the possibilities of a new yet untested future is the genius of our democratic American culture.

On November 7, 2007, I traveled to Chicago with Patty and other parties in a group trip to Greenbuild 2007 sponsored by Green Way Supply (GWS). We met at GWS at 7:00 a.m. for a continental breakfast and were in our bus and on the road by 8:00 a.m. The bus was not only a Green way to travel but also afforded us an opportunity to talk and socialize on the three plus hour trip to McCormick Place. We encountered little traffic and the bus dropped us at the door - most convenient. We gathered again at the bus at 4:30 p.m. for the ride home and continued our socializing which was considerably enhanced by the introduction of food and adult beverages.

Greenbuild is the US Green Building Council's (USGBC) yearly conference and expo. The first one was held in 2002 in Austin, Texas, and attracted 4,189 visitors. Last year it was held in Denver - it attracted 13,329. This year, in Chicago, over 28,000 visitors were expected. As we ascended the escalator to the exhibit hall level, we were flabbergasted by the vision of a huge line that snaked back and forth in the cavernous space for what seemed to be at least a mile or two. After somewhat forceful inquiries and indignant protestations, we accepted the fact that this was our line for entry even though we were all pre-registered. Accepting the idea, we began to make the best of it by resuming our socializing and expanding our circle by engaging strangers in line. In doing so, we learned that an unexpected 7,000 visitors had shown up over and above the record breaking attendance already expected. Surely they were all in line ahead of us. We shuffled for two hours to be admitted, yet we came to realize that this is good. Green is definitely catching on. This is explosive growth - the kind of Green Change that is needed. You can see details on Greenbuild and view video of keynote speakers including former President Bill Clinton at www.greenbuildexpo.org.

For this reason, I am quite proud of my membership in the USGBC and have great confidence that the organization is indeed making a difference in moving our culture toward a sustainable future through, as their motto says, "Transforming the Marketplace." Yet the marketplace cannot do it alone.

The figure below is a reconstruction of a chart which appears on the www.sustainlane.com website showing the ranking of the 50 largest cities in America - the lower the number the better. Indianapolis is ranked 45th - not a source of pride. A number of the glaring deficits such as Public Transportation, Air Quality, Planning/Land Use are functions of city government and, although the former administration aspired to leadership in this realm, the performance has been dismal. Where we appear better, in Affordable Housing say, the reason may be more a function of the depressed real estate market than intended sustainability efforts. Hopefully, the new city administration will do better. However, it is not only city government that matters in the equation. We all must assume our measure of responsibility for the improved livability of our city. We can do much in our personal life to live Greener lives, yet we could accomplish even more through concerted effort at the local government level. For this reason, I urge you to get involved with the nearest thing we, in Broad Ripple, have to a local government: the Broad Ripple Village Association (BRVA). On Tuesday, November 20, 2007, the BRVA will hold its annual elections for Members of the Board of Directors at the Indianapolis Art Center. The elected members will serve on the Board for three years and make many decisions that will affect all our lives and the life of the community. Show up. Get informed. If a member, "Vote for the Future" of our marvelously unique community. Let's see if we, together, can begin the process of Green Change for a more hopeful, healthful and prosperous tomorrow.