HIGHLIGHTS:

Federal Highway Administration will not require the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) to redo environmental studies if Route D-VE is changed; only the modified portion would require additional studies. Also, GDOT Board Member David Doss and staff have expressed a willingness to examine a slight modification to the route. (Stay tuned for updates.)

GDOT failed to study the historical significance of Dobbins Mine, acidic drainage from required blasting of Dobbins Mountain and 1,000 feet of streams along Route D-VE. GDOT’s environmental studies will not be completed until spring of next year.

City of Euharlee established a 100-acre conservation easement as a significant wildlife refuge which is located on Dobbins Mountain and along the proposed route.

Obtained approximately 1,000 petition signatures against Route D-VE.

Legendary musician Chuck Leavell (of Rollins Stones, Allman Brothers Band, Eric Clapton, etc. fame) is supporting the coalition’s position to change Route D-VE.

Attended the August and October GDOT board meetings, and expressed concerns to Board Member David Doss and Chief Engineer Gerald Ross in private meeting.

Secured Q&A session/meeting in September with GDOT and their consultants about project cost, environment, historic resources and traffic issues.

Presented at Cartersville City Council and Bartow County Commission meetings.

Interviewed by Georgia Highlands College television program “Community Watch” and WHBF-AM “The Joe Tilley Show.”

Published dozens of letters to the editor in the Cartersville Daily-Tribune News and Rome News-Tribune that resulted in nearly 50 media placements.

Participated (information booths, etc.) in the following community events: Great Locomotive Chase Festival, Pioneer Days Parade, Euharlee Covered Bridge Festival, Cartersville-Bartow Chamber Business Showcase (see picture right) and more.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

COALITION FOR THE RIGHT ROAD

UPDATE

November 2010

M E M B E R

Cartersville Exchange Club’s Christmas Parade on December 2 at 6 p.m.

Adairsville Christmas Parade on December 4 at 6 p.m.

GDOT Board Meeting on Thursday, December 9 at 9 a.m. in Atlanta. Transportation to the meeting and lunch will be provided.

CONTACT: If you can attend or help, please email Leslie Crawford at leslie@rymrock.com or call 678-535-7093

WHERE WE NEED MEMBER PARTICIPATION:

Canvass neighborhoods to obtain petition signatures against Route D-VE and support for a cheaper, more efficient route. (Areas already canvassed, include the Churchill Downs and Lexington Farms subdivisions, East Boxwood Drive, Cline Smith Road, Grassdale Road, Liberty Square Drive, MacJohnson Road, Peeples Valley Road and Rudy York Road.)

Write letters opposing Route D-VE to elected officials (contact information - http://therightroad.wordpress.com/contacts-2/lawmakers/) and GDOT board members and commissioner (contact information - http://therightroad.wordpress.com/contacts-2/regulators/).

Write letters to the editor to the Kathy Davis of the Rome News-Tribune – kdavis@rn-t.com, Jessica Loeding of the Cartersville Daily-Tribune News – viewpoint@daily-tribune.com, and Monica Burge of the Bartow Neighbor – bartow@neighbornewspapers.com.

Display coalition signage in yards (see picture right).

Email Coalition website (www.coalitionfortherightroad.org) and social media sites (e.g. Facebook, Twitter and YouTube) to family and friends to increase the coalition’s supporters and overall visibility.

Post comments against GDOT’s Route D-VE on personal Facebook and Twitter accounts and applicable, online news articles.

CONTACT: For petitions, yard signage and/or for general questions, please contact Leslie Crawford at leslie@rymrock.com

or call 678-535-7093