Let's Talk Clayton County

I just got back from a meeting in Lovejoy.  Yea, Lovejoy.  Where is that, you ask?  Beats the living daylights out of me.  Somewhere south of the city.  Take 75, turn at nothing, and then turn again before the racetrack.  But they have a super lovely, brand new, not on the maps city hall.  It's a witch to find.

This is the fourth week into the creation of the Friends of Clayton County Transit.  This is a group, spear-headed by the wonderful state rep. Roberta Abdul-Salaam, is focused on getting the MARTA amendment through the Clayton County commissioners and onto the ballot in November and passed to bring MARTA to Clayton and restore transit in that county.

I know, an easy task, right?

I have to admit, I have a political crush on Roberta.  She's great.  She's focusing on this, not her own campaign for re-election this November, and has even said that whether or not she's elected to serve another term is unimportant, this is a necessity.  Roberta is passionate.  When someone brought up the argument that transit is connected to low income and therefore crime, she stood up and said,"I came off of Section 8, I came off of the bus, I still don't have a car, now what?"  More of our politicians should be like her.  If there were, this state would be a better place to be.

But until we can get a state full of legislators like Roberta, we're campaigning to make MARTA in Clayton a reality. 

This is a fight that's more than C-Tran, it's about the environment, it's about economics, it's about growth.  Atlanta can't sustain this insatiable road lust, and transit means a better way of life.  For every dollar spent on transit, you get at least two back in economic growth.  It just makes sense.

To support the Friends of Clayton County Transit, join us on Facebook.  You can also find us on Twitter.

There will also be a fundraiser next Wednesday, June 16th, at Shout to help fund this campaign.  The fundraiser kicks off at 6:30 and the suggested minimum donation is $40.  You can come to the fundraiser or donate by mailing a check or going online.  But get your butts out and help us make world-class transit in Atlanta a reality.