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Community Corner

Around the Region: Fight to Stop the HOT Lane, Opposition to $200 Million SPLOST and Susan G. Komen 3-Day

A look at stories from across Metro Atlanta and northeast Georgia.

– Lawrenceville Patch

Howard Rodgers of Lawrenceville recently made it his mission to put the brakes on the new HOT Lane on I-85.  This past Sunday Rodgers and his family set-up camp outside of the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center asking fellow commuters to sign a petition. “Stop the HOT Lane” only received a few dozen sign-ups on Sunday however according to the group’s website more than 1,100 people have given their digital signature online or via email. 

“The plan is to take them (the signatures) to the governor, the SRTA, the Gwinnett Board of Commissioners and the Federal DOT,” Rodgers told Patch.

When the HOT Lane went into effect on October 1st, Rodgers did not think it would have such a negative effect on his life. “It honestly didn’t seem like it was going to affect me the way that it has,” said Rodgers adding how government officials touted the HOT Lane as a great thing that would improve the lives of those who travel on I-85.  “It’s turned out to be a nightmare,” added Rodgers.  



– Cumming Patch

Find out what's happening in Daculawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Led by Forsyth County Tea Party founder Steve Voshall, citizen groups across Forsyth County are organizing to defeat the $200 million special purpose local option sales tax referendum that will be on the ballot November 8.

Voshall said Tea Party members are dismayed by the lack of research that has gone into asking citizens to approve the $200 million tax. "They haven't done an architectural study. They haven't done an engineering study. They haven't held any community meetings to inform the public about the details and they're holding a special election to try and sneak this in the back door. It should be done next year during the presidential election when more voters will be going to the polls."

Find out what's happening in Daculawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

SPLOST VI will not expire until June 2013 but if SPLOST VII is approved, it would extend collections through 2019. In addition to the jail and courthouse, the county plans to spend $70 million for transportation improvements, $3.9 million to replace fire engines, $3 million for an animal shelter and $7 million for park and recreation projects.

 

– East Atlanta Patch

The Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure kicks off a 60-mile walk Friday that will start in Stone Mountain and over the course of the weekend take participants through Stone Mountain, Decatur, Virginia-Highland, Midtown and Candler Park.

Participants will begin the walk following opening ceremonies on Friday, Oct. 21. After three days and 60 miles, participants will take a final victory walk into the closing ceremony at Turner Field, 755 Hank Aaron Dr. The closing ceremony will begin at 5 p.m.

Individuals wishing to participate may call 800-996-3DAY(3329) to register.

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