Submitted by:  Rebecca Watts Hull, City of Decatur resident, Director of Mothers & Others for Clean Air and Board Member of Citizens for Progressive Transit

Light rail…commuter rail…bike paths… or more sprawl?

For Decatur residents who care about metro Atlanta’s transportation infrastructure and want to see more of the 10-county area connected by public transit, sidewalks and safe bicycle routes like our hometown, now is the time to speak up! The clock is ticking—we have until August 15 to shape the first draft of the list of transportation projects that, if voters approve, will be funded by a 10 year Transportation Special Local Option Sales Tax (TSPLOST).

The Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) already has sponsored an online public poll that showed widespread support for transit, bicycle and pedestrian projects through our region. Many metro area polls administered over the past five years show that most of us want a 21^st century public transportation system. Public opinion in the suburbs has changed dramatically since Cobb, Clayton and Gwinnett refused MARTA rail service several decades ago.

The Executive Committee of the Atlanta Regional Transportation Roundtable is charged with boiling down a $22 million transportation wish list to $8 million (the estimated amount the tax would raise over 10 years), and Decatur citizens should take note that our Mayor, Bill Floyd, is a member of that small and powerful group. After the project list is finalized this October, voters will have only a “yes” or “no” option at the polls in July 2012. Let’s vote “yes” on a good list of projects that helps Atlanta move toward a 21^st century transportation system, rather than having to say “no” because the list represents business as usual-– more road widening projects and the sprawl that results.

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