Atlanta Regional Roundtable of the ARC

From John Keys, GCDD and SILC:

The 12 Regional Commissions in Georgia have compiled their Constrained Project Lists and these are found at the following web link:

http://www.it3.ga.gov/Pages/Legislation.aspx   

Simply click on the “View Lists” item on this link, go to your region, and view the project list. Scroll down below the listing of all Regional Commissions (R.C.’s), and you will see the meetings scheduled for all the R.C.’s.

These meeting times will change as we get closer to the October deadline, so keep checking on when meetings are held in your community. Call the R.C. in your area (click on their name on the listing on the web link to get contact information) to stay up to date or to get more information.

Transportation Investment Act - Regional Roundtable

Atlanta Regional Roundtable

Public Meetings in September, 2011

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

5:00 - 7:00 pm

Douglas County

Citizens Hall, Douglas County Courthouse

8700 Hospital Drive

Douglasville, GA 30134

770-949-2000

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

6:00 - 8:00 pm

Henry County

Administration Offices

140 Henry Parkway

McDonough, GA 30253

770-288-6000

Thursday, September 15, 2011

6:00 - 8:00 pm

City of Atlanta

Council Chambers

55 Trinity Avenue

Atlanta, GA 30303

404-330-6030

Monday, September 19, 2011

6:00 - 8:00 pm

Cherokee County

Cherokee Hall, Administration Center

1130 Bluffs Parkway

Canton, GA 30114

678-493-6000

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

5:00 - 7:00 pm

Cobb County

Board of Commissioners Meeting Room

100 Cherokee Street

Marietta, GA 30090

770-528-1000

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

6:00 - 8:00 pm

Fayette County

Administration Offices

140 Stonewall Avenue West

Fayetteville, GA 30214

770-305-5200

Settlement in Texas Disabled Parking Lawsuit

Dallas Morning News
Associated Press
December 2, 2009

A proposed $24 million settlement would end a 1997 lawsuit challenging a $5 fee that Texas charged for disabled parking placards

The Austin American-Statesman reported Wednesday that the settlement to the class action lawsuit, filed against the Department of Transportation, faces final approval from a federal judge.

The lawsuit was part of similar cases nationwide claiming charging drivers with disabilities for the right to access violates the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The settlement says Texas would fund a pool to cover refunds to drivers with disabilities who bought the blue parking placards since 1997. A judge in 2008 ordered the state to stop collecting the fee.

Attorney J. Hampton Skelton of Austin says he was happy to reach the agreement on behalf of disabled Texans.
___
Information from: Austin American-Statesman, http://www.statesman.com
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/APStories/stories/D9CB54301.html

© 2009, The Dallas Morning News, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Princeton Family Thankful For Transportation

Arezow Doost
PRINCETON
(CBS 11 / TXA 21)

A North Texas family in desperate need of a handicap van got their wish Saturday.

The family from the Collin County town of Princeton will no longer have to cram their disabled little boy in a minivan, and it's all thanks to a non-profit organization.

It's an used 1999 dodge van with 57,000 miles on it.

For the Hicks it's what they've been desperately praying for."It's in great shape!" says Danielle Hicks. "This is going to change the lives of our entire family."

Especially the life of her son Ashley. The 9-year-old has cerebral palsy and dystonia, a movement disorder.

CBS 11 first told the family's story back in August. They showed us the challenges behind getting their son to the doctor in their minivan.

The family heard about the group Free Charity Cars and applied immediately.All summer long they waited for someone to donate a handicap equipped to the non-profit which gives away donated cars to struggling families.

Then in October, they got the call the day before Ashley was set to have brain surgery."The day of his surgery my little red minivan blew up" remembers Danielle.

The family is hoping to sell the minivan and donate the money to Free Charity Cars.

As they look forward to getting used to their new ride, "We can go places as a family where before we didn't."

They say it's already changed their lives."We have been planning trips to the zoo, but I think our first trip will be to the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History."

Dallas / Fort Worth Local News
Arezow Doost PRINCETON (CBS 11 /TXA 21)

http://cbs11tv.com/local/ashley.hicks.free.2.1327049.html
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)