DeKalb CEO, former lawmaker selected for new ATL regional transit board

DeKalb CEO Mike Thurmond. AJC file photo. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

DeKalb CEO Mike Thurmond. AJC file photo. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

DeKalb County will have at least two representatives on the new regional transit board known as “the ATL.”

County CEO Mike Thurmond and former state Rep. Howard Mosby were selected for two of the 10 transit district seats. Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms will have a third.

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Both Thurmond and Mosby said they looked forward to joining the 16-member Atlanta-region Transit Link Authority board created by the General Assembly this year. Its main mission is to coordinate efforts among 13 Metro Atlanta counties.

“For Atlanta to take its next step in its growth, transit must play a larger role in that growth,” Mosby said. “South and east Metro has the greatest opportunity for growth, and transit would be a great catalyst to drive that growth.”

Gov. Nathan Deal and legislative leaders select five members to the ATL board, and one is chosen by a caucus of the region's mayors. The commissioner of the Georgia Department of Public Transportation is a non-voting member of the board.

“I appreciate the vote of support from the District 7 ATL delegation,” Thurmond said. “I am looking forward to working with the ATL Board to improve the quality of life and promote economic development throughout metro Atlanta.”