The Future of Metro Atlanta Transit Needs YOU!
The time is closing in to make your voice heard concerning the proposed T-SPLOST penny sales tax. Tomorrow (Thursday), the City of Atlanta is holding a public meeting to help determine what projects will be approved by the Regional Roundtable (see the rest of the schedule here). Currently, 50% of funding goes to transit, while 50% goes to road projects. While roads receive funding from a variety of other sources, this is a crucial funding moment for the future of regional transit. See the last issue of Footnotes for more details.
There are several ways you can help:
- Send a letter to the Regional Roundtable, stating your support for more transit on the list.
- Attend the meeting near you to support public transit and bike/ped projects.
- Take a survey set up by the Regional Roundtable to let them know which projects you support and which you oppose. See the Sierra Club's position on each project by clicking here.
It is critical that transit supporters speak out for more T-SPLOST funds for MARTA, the BeltLine and adding the Atlanta-Griffin rail line to the project list. Moving $300 million away from the resuscitated Northern Arc “Sugarloaf Parkway Extension” to transit projects is also a priority. If we can re-tool the project list covered by the tax, this will be an essential major step towards putting Atlanta back on the map as a transportation innovator – attracting business and improving the way we live.
To show your full support for an integrated transit future for the Atlanta region WEAR A GREEN SHIRT to the meeting!
Quick Links
Good news from Cartersville today about the US 411 Connector, which was proposed to blast through Dobbins Mountain. It looks like the efforts to choose a different route may be successful as the Atlanta Business Chronicle reports that GDOT has agreed to look at other routes. Congrats to the Coalition for the Right Road!
Sierra Club Meetings
Wildlands and Wildlife Committee Meeting, Wednesday, September 21st, 7:00 p.m., Mike Murdock - Chair, murdock1@mindspring.com Fundraising Committee, Thursday, September 22nd, 7:00 p.m., Erin Wetty - Chair, ewetty@seyfarth.com RAIL Committee Meeting, Monday, September 26th, 7:00 p.m., David Emory - Chair, david.emory@gmail.com Atlanta Inner City Outings (ICO), Tuesday, September 27th, 7:30 p.m., Allison Williams, adwilliams8@yahoo.com Smart Energy Team Meeting, Monday, October 3, 6:30 p.m. refreshments, 7:00 p.m. start, Mike Walls - Chair, mwalls@ellijay.com Beyond Factory Farming, Monday, October 10th, 7:30 p.m., Leah Garces - Chair, Leah.Garces@ciwf.org.uk |
Georgia Chapter Retreat - September 30th-October 2nd - Deadline to register is Sept. 21
Sierra Club Executive Director Mike Brune is coming to Georgia! The Georgia Chapter Retreat will be September 30th-October 2nd on Jekyll Island and will include dolphin watching, riding bikes, fishing, kayaking, and learning more about how you can help the Georgia Chapter enjoy, explore, and protect the planet. Click here for more information and registration.
We are looking for items for our Silent Auction! Anything handmade, a weekend at your cabin, a home energy audit, Falcons tickets, etc., would be most appreciated! Contact colleen.kiernan@sierraclub.org to donate.
Georgia Solar Energy Association Tour - October 1st
Join GSEA and solar advocates across Georgia, who will come together to showcase their solar-powered homes, schools, businesses and churches as part of the 16th Annual American Solar Energy Society (ASES) National Solar Tour - the world's largest grassroots solar event. Georgia could be generating over 20% of its electricity needs through solar energy, instead we are at less than 1%. To register and for more information, click here.
John Muir Exhibit at Atlanta History Center Exhibit - October 13th -December 4th
Atlanta History Center will host the traveling exhibition Nature’s Beloved Son: Rediscovering John Muir’s Botanical Legacy traces his travels to Canada, Indiana, the American southeast, California, and Alaska, and presents vivid images and specimens of the actual plants that Muir held in his hands, carried in his pockets, and preserved for all time
Interested in reading more?
If you have missed an issue of Footnotes Online you can view them in our archive by clicking here. You can also sign up for alerts in order to take action at times when we need decision makers to hear from you. We need your help!