Dearest Friends, As some of you know, I currently serve as the pastor of the Ellsworth United Methodist Church. We are struggling with many new initiatives to try and bring vitality back to our community. We have formed a new community organization EAGLES (Ellsworth Association Giving Life, Energy and Service). We have managed to paint the light poles on main street and get some flower baskets on them. It doesn't seem like much when all the sidewalks need repair and the water system needs millions of dollars of input to stop the basement flooding all over town and this list could go one and on. Ellsworth is surrounded by rich farming land and the town itself is so poor that less than half of the residents have internet access. This is why I am sending this on to all of you. A little three mile trail between Ellsworth and Jewell (the nearest town with a grocery story) has made it into this competition for a grant of $7,500 to pave the old railroad track into a bike trail. People walk it all the time and it is not particularly safe. It is a vote based competition and with a town so small and projects competing with us that have major organizations and huge communities behind them (also other ways to get the money they need) we have probably very small hope so I am sending this to everyone I know. This is what I wrote to others on my lists: This is a unique opportunity for Jewell and Ellsworth to raise money for the bike trail. We need this kind of sign that the world cares about our communities. It would also be a boon to even the family that makes ice cream and sells it along the way. I am asking all of you to forward this to anyone you might be able to convince to vote for us each day until September seventh. We are such small communities in comparison to others in the running it is hard to believe that there might be hope for us. It is also doubly difficult because the poverty of our communities means that less than half the residents have computer access in Ellsworth. Personally, I hate messages like this myself that lay one more burden on me, but I am asking you to consider doing all that you can. Thanks in advance. Hope springs eternal. Margaret From: Josephine Fletchall [mailto:jvfletchall@live.com] Sent: Monday, August 25, 2014 7:29 AM Subject: FW: VOTE TODAY - JewEllsworth Trail funding I am forwarding this message from Diane Sinclair, member of the Hamilton County Conservation Board. Support our Conservation Board and our county. The trail would be a great asset for the Jewell/Ellsworth area. Vote today and every day through Sept. 7. _____ Subject: Fwd: VOTE TODAY - JewEllsworth Trail funding From: eaglesinclair2@aol.com Date: Mon, 25 Aug 2014 02:07:23 -0400 Subject: VOTE TODAY - JewEllsworth Trail funding VOTING STARTS TODAY at <http://www.wellmark.com/75> www.Wellmark.com/75 Remember to vote for the JewEllsworth Trail $7,500 grant everyday thru September 7!! This Trail will connect the communities of Jewell and Ellsworth creating a 3.5 mile paved trail. Please be sure to share this project with fellow community members, friends and family. Remember public voting is one of four final factors Wellmark will use to determine the ten winners of $7,500. Only one vote per ISP address per day will be allowed - so vote every day!! Diane Sinclair Hamilton County Conservation Board