FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Atlanta GA

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 23, 2023

Contact:

Office of Council Member Keisha S. Waites

kwaites@atlantaga.gov

(404) 330-6041

ATLANTA CALLS UPON RAIL-CONNECTED CITIES AND TOWNS TO JOIN RAILTOWNS UNITED TOWN HALL

Atlanta, GA - Atlanta City Council Members, in partnership with Railtowns United, call upon leaders of rail-connected communities across the nation to unite and participate in the upcoming virtual Town Hall on October 24, from 12 PM to 1 PM Eastern Time (9 AM Pacific Time). This event marks the crucial first step in making our towns stronger, safer, and more prosperous places to live, work, and visit.

In the wake of a recent tragedy in Fulton, the urgent need for safer and more effective interactions between communities and railroads has become evident. Thousands of cities and towns nationwide havegrappled with these challenges in isolation, often with limited success. Atlanta's At-large Council MemberKeisha S. Waites emphasized the necessity of collaborative action: "We must do better - and that comes

from working together, sharing best practices, and speaking with a unified voice about the issues that matter. Atlanta, as one of the largest rail towns in the country, recognizes the importance of Railtowns United. If they succeed, we all succeed."

Britni Eisenmann, Head of Operations for Railtowns United, highlighted the shared challenges faced by rail-connected communities: "Rail-connected towns across America are dealing with the same issues. Blocked crossings, legislative inaction, hazmat concerns, and railroad relationships are left to individual states or even small towns to manage, resulting in rare and short-lived successes. The interests of railroads and the towns they connect haven't been well aligned. We aim to change that.”

The upcoming virtual Town Hall presents a unique opportunity for concerned community leaders to influence the agenda and priorities of the Railtowns United movement. During the one-hour session, attendees can expect:

- An update on critical legislation and court cases affecting rail communities

- An overview of existing and planned member benefits

- An interactive Q&A session with the founders of the organization

By participating in this Town Hall, rail-connected cities and towns can be part of the first collective effort to address long-standing challenges and work toward solutions that benefit all communities impacted by rail operations.

To register for the virtual Town Hall and to learn more about Railtowns United, please visit railtowns.org.

About Railtowns United:

Railtowns United is dedicated to fostering collaboration and positive interaction between rail towns, railroad industry and government. Their mission is to create stronger, safer, and more prosperous rail towns.

For media inquiries regarding the town hall or Railtowns United, please contact Britni Eisenmann at britni@railtowns.org or 765-490-4729.

For media inquiries regarding Atlanta’s participation, please contact the Office of Council Member Keisha S. Waites at kwaites@atlantaga.gov or (404) 330-6041

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Office of Council Member Keisha S. Waites

City of Atlanta - Post 3 At Large

Link to Atlanta City Council's publication of this press release: https://citycouncil.atlantaga.gov/Home/Components/News/News/3637/175