Proclamation, Parade honor Mississippi Community Transportation Day in City of Laurel

As anyone who has ever broken down in Jones County knows, public transportation in the area can be difficult to access. In fact, the lack of public transit in communities across the state has become a growing concern for many.

In June 2019, the Mississippi Public Transportation Association, along with the Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT), Public Transit Division, launched “Public Transportation Awareness Day” as a day for local communities to celebrate the importance of public transportation and to encourage the development of public transportation resources.

MDOT, Public Transit Division, oversees six regional transportation coordination groups across the state and work in conjunction with national campaigns funded by the Federal Transit Administration.

Locally, DJ Transit has been honoring the day by hosting an annual “We Love Our Seniors” parade, which they began in 2022. This year, Laurel Mayor Johnny Magee welcomed them to City Hall for a proclamation signing to proclaim June 15^th “Mississippi Community Transportation Day” in the city of Laurel and to pledge his support for these efforts.

DJ Transit provides transportation services for members of the general public who need to be taken to work, school, doctor’s appointments, or on errands. They can provide services to anyone in the community, although many of their clients are seniors. Each year they sponsor the “We Love Our Seniors” Parade where participants ride down West Drive to pay homage to the seniors who live in the many long-term care facilities on that route.

This year, the parade was scheduled for June 15^th but, due to threats of severe weather, was rescheduled to Wednesday, June 28^th. Participants will line up at the West Drive ballparks at 9 a.m. to decorate their vehicles and get in line. The parade will begin at 10:30 a.m.

For more information about DJ Transit, call 601.682.0701.

The proclamation read as follows:

Whereas, the City of Laurel, Mississippi joins the Mississippi Public Transit Association in recognition of “Mississippi Community Transportation Awareness Day”; and

Whereas, this celebration is in conjunction with the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) and Rural Transit Assistance Program (RTAP) national public transportation days; and

Whereas, the City of Laurel, Mississippi, is committed to community transportation to serve the individual needs of transit for workforce development, economic growth, education, healthcare and quality of life needs; and

Whereas, the importance of safe affordable community transportation to the people of the state is vital to the well-being and health of the citizens of Laurel, Mississippi; and

Whereas, the City of Laurel, Mississippi recognizes that it will collaborate with transportation providers in promoting community transportation and its enhancement in the lives of individuals of every age by committing to the following:

• Secure transportation for our constituents to maintain healthcare needs and employment;
• Promote transportation for community nutritional meal sites and senior activity programs;
• Provide transportation for individuals to educational facilities and meet their quality of life needs.

Now therefore, I, Johnny Magee, Mayor of the City of Laurel, Mississippi, do hereby proclaim June 15, 2023 as

Mississippi Community Transportation Awareness Day 2023

In the City of Laurel and do hereby urge every resident to join me in taking the time to ride community transportation on this day.

In witness thereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the City of Laurel, Mississippi to be affixed this the 6^th Day of June, 2023.