Today’s moderator: Tom Sabulis

A 20-year veteran of the AJC, Tom Sabulis has covered news, politics and the arts during a career that has taken him to newspapers across the country. Since 2008, he has coordinated many of the newspaper’s pro/con debates and first-person guest columns.

»Join the discussion online today: Share your opinions and ideas at blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-forward.

Despite last year's failed transportation sales tax referendum and, more recently, a Georgia General Assembly session short on new ideas for congestion relief, there is some never-say-die optimism percolating in the private sector. Innovators and self-taxing business organizations are plowing ahead to find ways around our gridlocked geography. Two pieces today highlight, respectively, some concrete action in north metro Atlanta and a blueprint that shows the region how to break the mold and move forward.

Guest columnists:

Perimeter business and its own Plan B by Yvonne William

Innovation and focus help find solutions by Benita M. Dodd

Also: Response to recent conversation