GRTA sets meeting with Commission

By JOHN THOMPSON
jthompson@thecitizennews.com

After months of talking, Coweta County will finally get its wish to meet with members of the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority.

County Administrator Theron Gay told the Coweta County commissioners Tuesday that GRTA officials want to talk to the commissioners at their Aug.29 meeting.

The late August meeting occurs just two weeks before the transportation superagency intends to activate jurisdiction over the county Sept. 13.

The agency was created by Gov. Roy Barnes to deal with the Atlanta region’s air quality and traffic problems. In its second year, the agency is now flexing its political muscles and is requesting land use maps from the 13 counties in the non-attainment air quality area.

Earlier this summer, GRTA representative Rob Alexander had attended a commission meeting and got a clear message about the county’s feelings about the organization.

“It just doesn’t sit well with local governments when you send out the type of letter you did,” said Commissioner Jim McGuffey.
Alexander said the agency wanted to have a good dialogue with the commissioners to reach a consensus on the best way to solve the region’s air quality problems.

“We hope to be a partner, not a threat,” he added.
The commissioners said GRTA is being up front in its efforts to control local governments.

“It’s a direct threat to local governments,” McGuffey said.
Alexander said the agency has legal authority to try and shape up the region’s air quality, but wants everybody to work together on finding a common solution.

Starting at 9 a.m. Aug. 29, GRTA officials will address the commission and answer any questions about imposing its jurisdiction over the county.