If the traffic conjestion is to be reduced and public transportation is to return to Clayton County, passage of the Transportation Investment Act of 2010, which voters will see as a referendum July 31, must be approved in Georgia.

Transportation was one of several issues, including the state’s economy and employment, the HOPE Scholarship and home mortgage foreclosure prevention, discussed at a Jan. 31 town hall meeting hosted by District 44 state Sen. Gail Davenport, D-Jonesboro, at Andrews Chapel United Methodist Church.

In addition to Davenport, other state lawmakers attending included District 10 state Sen. Emmanuel Jones, D-Decatur, chairman of the Georgia Legislative Black Caucus, District 77 state Rep. Darryl Jordan, D-Riverdale and Morrow Councilwoman Janelle Bridges.

Also in attendance were Dana Lemon, 13th congressional district board member with the Georgia Department of Transportation, Rosemary Lawson-Edge, branch manager with Southern Crescent and Gloria Driskell, a certified housing counselor.

More than 50 residents attended with many wanting more information on the Transportation Investment Act referendum which, if approved by voters, would add a penny regional sales tax earmarked exclusively for transportation projects.

“If public transportation returns to Clayton County, the transportation referendum must be approved,” Davenport said.

Lemon estimated that over the next decade in the Atlanta Regional Commission area, which includes Clayton and south Fulton, estimated collections for transportation could reach $8.46 million.

According to Jones, most of the issues discussed at the meeting are currently under consideration at the gold dome.

“It is great to have town hall meetings like this one, where house and senate representatives can get out into the communities we serve and discuss these current issues with those who elected us,” he said.

In regard to transportation, Lemon informed those attending of new traffic lanes designed to come off I-75 and I-675 in Clayton, as well as Fayetteville Road.

“Through town hall and similar meetings in the months before the July 31 referendum, we will be holding public meetings regarding the issue and we encourage the public to attend to better understand the Transportation Investment Act and its importance to Clayton and all of Georgia,” she said.

“I don’t believe many residents fully understand the importance of the referendum’s passage,” she added.

Lemon added much work to inform the public needs to be done.

Jones said transportation is critical to the economy of Clayton, south Fulton and the rest of the ARC.

“I believe people stay away from our area