Residents can discuss area transportation plans

Transportation planners will host an open house today for anyone interested in discussing the Regional Transportation Plan, the document that will guide the development of the Indianapolis area's transportation system for the next 20 years.

The two-hour open house, which begins at 5:30 p.m. in the old National Bank grand hall at the Indiana State Fairgrounds, will give people a chance to express their ideas and opinions about future transportation needs.

The discussion is expected to cover roads as well as pedestrian, bicycle and transit projects.

Those who want to have input but can not attend the open house may contact the Indianapolis Metropolitian Planning Organization's assistant manager, Philip Roth, at (317) 327-5149 or at proth@indygov.org, or visit the Web site at www.indy gov.org/indympo.

What are people saying about mortgages today:

Rates on 30-year mortgages edged down last week to a seven-month low. Mortgage-giant Freddie Mac reported Thursday that 30-year, fixed-rate mortgages fell to 6.3 percent, down slightly from 6.31 percent two weeks ago. It put rates at the lowest level since they were at 6.24 percent the first week of March.

Bank of Hawaii, Central Pacific Bank, Territorial Savings Bank and Wells Fargo Home Mortgages all cut their 30-year mortgage rates to 5.75 percent this week.

Most people think of a mortgage as a means to an end. After all, you buy a house, not a home loan. But a mortgage is much more than the path to homeownership. It is a financial instrument that must be managed, just like any other financial investment.