Barnes and Reed: The beginning of a beautiful friendship
Under the bronze nose of Tom Watson, the state Capitol guardian who gave Georgia both white supremacy and rural free delivery, Kasim Reed and Roy Barnes on Thursday consummated a partnership certain to have implications in the Atlanta mayoral runoff and the 2010 race for governor.
Barnes wrapped his arms around Reed — not a surprise, given Reed’s successful effort to turn his non-partisan sprint against Mary Norwood into a Democratic primary.
The former governor declared:
For the last seven or eight years there has been a division between this building behind us and our capital city. I don’t understand it, to be quite frank with you – how it is that a state can be at war with its own capital city. And I’m here to say that there’s only one person that can bring that capital city together with the state of Georgia.
Reed was equally effusive. And at times, it was difficult to tell who was endorsing whom, or for what. Said Reed:
What this endorsement represents is a focus on the regional challenges that Atlanta faces. Atlanta cannot deal with the problems of infrastructure and water and economic development alone….We need a strong [partnership] with someone who understands the state as well as anybody I’ve ever seen, and somebody who will put it on the line in order to achieve progress. That’s what Roy Barnes did when he was governor, and that’s what I’ll do as mayor.
Next year’s Democratic race for governor also includes Thurbert Baker, the state attorney general and an African-American. So was Reed already choosing sides? Very nearly so. On one hand, Reed said he would only fight one war at a time. On the other, the attorney said:
“After the people of Atlanta decide that I’m the appropriate person to lead, you will hear from me soon on who I plan to support for governor.
Which suited Barnes just fine. “I feel comfortable with that,” the former governor said.
To sum up: The day didn’t belong to Mary Norwood, or Thurbert Baker.
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67 comments Add your comment
Angry Taxpayer
November 12th, 2009
5:19 pm
Great – the political establishment backing someone who can’t figure out how to pay his taxes on time! Politics as usual is not going to fix the woes in City Hall. The next Mayor needs to be able to comply with the law and file his taxes on time – before he managers our City’s finances!
Angry Taxpayer
November 12th, 2009
5:19 pm
Great – the political establishment backing someone who can’t figure out how to pay his taxes on time! Politics as usual is not going to fix the woes in City Hall. The next Mayor needs to be able to comply with the law and file his taxes on time – before he manages our City’s finances!
Same Politics
November 12th, 2009
5:19 pm
Norwood’s campaign is in shambles.
I Voted
November 12th, 2009
5:20 pm
Mary better go back to The Beautiful or something, quick! Reed is running circles around her the last 2 weeks.
Silent Majority
November 12th, 2009
5:23 pm
Roy Barnes endorsed Kasim Reed because he trusts him and knows he can get the job done. Apparently, no elected officials feel the same way about Mary.
Vhighlands
November 12th, 2009
5:27 pm
Big week for Kasim Reed! Norwood’s campaign needs to find a way to stop the momentum. I bet they go negative, which will negate her whole fascade.
La-sha
November 12th, 2009
5:40 pm
Kasim Reed is the MAN, Just like Bill Cambell.. 4 more years, 4 more years..
leep
November 12th, 2009
5:54 pm
Mary Norwood has the endorsements of thousands and thousands of Atlanta residents, and that is what is more important than some political “you scratch my back and I’ll scratch yours” shenanigans. These “endorsements” by other politicians speak more about political favors and continuing the “political machine” that has run Atlana for years. It is indeed time for this machine to come to a halt. We citizens are tired of the lackluster performance, and care, of the politicians that have run this city, of the ever-increasing taxes and ever-decreasing level of services. Many thousands of Atlantans endorse Mary Norwood for Mayor of Atlanta because it’s time for a change and time to make a difference. On December 1st, go vote for something different than politics as usual – VOTE MARY NORWOOD!!!
Frank
November 12th, 2009
6:06 pm
Nabors endorsed Reed because he is black.Period. Quid Pro Quo. She and all her family will get nice appointments and jobs with the city. She is following the advice of the black folks who wrote that email a couple of months ago that the mayorship should remain black; regardless.
Barnes is just an old corrupt politician from the 90’s.
Morehouse Guy
November 12th, 2009
6:28 pm
@ La-sha: Please clarify this Bill Campbell-Kasim Reed connection for me? I’ve never fully understood this connection that I see time and again on this blog.
@ Leep: Would casting a vote that created the public safety furloughs, then casting another vote to keep them intact while touting yourself as the ultimate “crimefighter” (see: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffKUPBdbB6E) also qualify under “politics as usual?” Councilwoman Norwood has more to do with the quality of service delivery (or any other local matter) than Senator Reed. Her lackluster performance on the Council should give you pause, if anything. Senator Reed has never “run this city” before, so it seems to me your issues should lie with current Councilmembers and Mayor Franklin than Senator Reed.
I always find it interesting that the Mary supporters will rail against City Hall, attack Kasim (despite being a part of the transition team for Mayor Franklin in 2001, he has had very little to do with what currently ails the City) and then say they are voting for “hope” and “change” by voting for a current Councilmember with an anemic legislative record who has, arguably, created a part of the City’s fiscal mess (she voted for those pension increases in 2005 as well — an issue Senator Reed has identified as fiscal public enemy #1 if elected).
I wonder how you all would feel if elected officials and President Borders endorsed Mary. Then, they’ve be supporting for “change” and “hope”, right? Right.
The Same Blogger by Any Other Name
November 12th, 2009
6:53 pm
Same Politics = I Voted = Silent Majority = Vhighlands = etc.
DoubleW
November 12th, 2009
6:57 pm
Kasim was late on 3 different tax bills.
His home.
His mother’s condo.
His business.
Doesn’t appear to pay a lot of attention to his obligations. Where will he find the moral authority to ask others to pay taxes.
I know he criticized Mary Norwood for NOT voting for the last property tax increase on the residents of Atlanta….a vote for a tax increase is fine with him….he can find at least three excuses why he will be late.
He already has.
Salt and Pepper
November 12th, 2009
6:58 pm
Roy Barnes made his endorsement then drove back to his mansion in Cobb County. The state Democratic Party’s decision to make this an overtly partisan race will come back to haunt us and hurt Atlanta. With the republicans in control of state, they will do everything to get back at the democrats. By the end of Reed’s first 4 years, if he is elected, the state will have taken over the Airport, MARTA, and North Fulton will be its own county.
Aliyah
November 12th, 2009
7:25 pm
@morehouseguy: Reed’s “search committee” brought Police Chief Richard Pennington (and his quota systems) to Atlanta from New Orleans. That’s enough reason to NOT vote Kasim, although there are many others.
Where is Mary Norwood
November 12th, 2009
7:33 pm
Mary Norwood you need to fire your staff and your campaign is fallen apart..I live in Midtown we were supporting Norwood now we supporting Reed. Midtown for Reed, Mary Norwood cant keep her
appt in order she suppose to have a press conference her own staff member does know where she is at. >>>>>>>>Midtown For Reed>>>>>>>>>>>>>Mayor of Atlanta
North Fulton
November 12th, 2009
7:37 pm
Can you hear me now.
Barky Obummer
November 12th, 2009
7:38 pm
Why would ANYONE care who Roy Barnes likes? he was SUCH an embarrassing governor…Reed is dangerous…unnecessary.
Tired of the status quo
November 12th, 2009
7:45 pm
I’m supporting Norwood because I’m tired of the status quo in Atlanta. Reed didn’t even live in the city limits until two years ago. He’s using this as a stepping stone for his political career. The endorsement today proves that it’s politics as usual. I happen to like Barnes and will support him for governor, but he clearly endorsed Reed so Reed can deliver large votes out of Atlanta for him next year. I am tired of this being a partisan race, as mayor is non-partisan in Atlanta.
As someone stated above, the trash talking by some Reed supporters (calling Norwood a “Buckhead Betty”) is pouring fuel on the fire for Buckhead and North Fulton to break away from the rest of Atlanta. I am sorry, but Atlanta needs the large tax revenues generated by Buckhead, so don’t say go ahead and do it…It’s time Atlanta unites and stops being segregated both on race and class status…Norwood will bring about change, and if she doesn’t do any better, you can vote her out in four years. But the Jackson political machine needs to end, and there is no doubt Reed is part of the Jackson political machine….
Morehouse Guy
November 12th, 2009
7:50 pm
@ Aaliyah: At the time Pennington was hired, we was the toast of the law enforcement community and was heralded at the time as the chief who turned a corrupt NOPD around (see: http://www.ppionline.org/ppi_ci.cfm?knlgAreaID=119&subsecID=213&contentID=2155). We all later found out that the recognition was a bit premature, but AT THE TIME THE DECISION WAS MADE, Pennington seemed like a strong candidate. Further, Senator Reed has been unequivocal in his criticism of Pennington’s performance as chief here in Atlanta. Kasim’s a sharp guy, but I don’t think he has any crystal balls to tell the future with, and neither does Mary.
Again, I ask, what has Mary Norwood done for public safety that gives you any solace in her ability to lead the City through its public safety challenges?
I’m waiting on, “Morehouse Guy is obviously a Kasim Reed staffer” or claims that I’m racist or something else. I do support Senator Reed, and to be honest, I’ve not always been a fan of Kasim, but I believe he’s the best candidate in the race. I have respect for Councilwoman Norwood, but I don’t see anything substantive in her platform or in her record that instills in me the kind of confidence in the next mayor that I’d like to have. I’d like to call this discernment and being an informed voters, but the attacks are sure to come.
Oh, and I can’t wait to support my man, “King” Roy Barnes in 2010.
Debbie
November 12th, 2009
7:56 pm
Congressman Long represents youth and forward thinking. What a meaningful endorsement for Mary Norwood! The endorsements of has-beens Lisa Borders, Roy Barnes, and Jim Martin and the tacit endorsement of the washed-up Shirley Franklin do seem like rubber stamps for more of the same dreck we’ve endured for many stultifying years now.
mikey
November 12th, 2009
8:07 pm
DEBBIE…Congressman Long is not a congressman…he is a State Representative…one of about 187.
Debbie
November 12th, 2009
8:14 pm
I know that he’s a state representative, and it certainly doesn’t negate the fact that he represents the future. The rest of these cronies are living in the past. The word congress has many definitions – I used it to mean the larger body that incorporates representatives and senators in the state of Georgia. My mistake – I should have said redneck assembly.
Morehouse Guy
November 12th, 2009
8:16 pm
There are a host of current state legislators who have endorsed Senator Reed and an actual Congressman in Hank Johnson who has also endorsed Senator Reed. See: http://www.kasimreed.com/endorsements/2009/9/georgia-legislators-endorse-state-senator-kasim-reed-for-mayor. Far from a group of “has-beens”. Let’s make sure we’ve got the facts on all of the folks who have endorsed both candidates (Mary has the Firefighters and from what I hear Zell Miller might endorse her).
Debbie
November 12th, 2009
8:33 pm
Ah, yes, a host! And let’s not forget C T Martin is in Kasim’s camp!
PoliticOracle
November 12th, 2009
8:52 pm
@Morehouse Guy
An endorsement from. “Zig Zag” Zell Miller, would absolutely kill Norwood’s already floundering campaign. Or it just might rally the Republicans in Atlanta to get behind her. Besides, Norwood and Miller do share an affinity for Republican conventions. Do y’all remember Miller’s 2004 Republican National Convention speech? I guess he’s purple too, huh? Yeah right!
Remember when he described how he wanted keep President Obama in his seat with “Gorilla Glue”. Of all the bonding materials, Miller decides to uses Gorilla glue in his poor attempt to portray President Obama as an absentee leader. This is why Norwood is tanking. This woman has no credibility, no merit and no record to run on. I don’t know what’s driving her, maybe its her love of the Beautiful’s food and all the kind-hearted, but naïve folks that are supporting. Her. But folks, treating seniors to lunch and free pill boxes won’t keep the streets safe or the trash collectors running and it definitely won’t balance the budget.
I really hope Norwood roles out a good TV ad or something because, for this political junky, the race is gettin boring. I know Reed will win, but Norwood oughta atleast put up a fight. All the political novixes thought her 46% was so impressive, but I was never impressed because sole white candidate (serious) with three mainstream appeal, she should’ve closed the deal. But I have come to the conclusion, that there are too many smart voters in this town.
Reed has run the best campaign, by far. I mean 30% in two months, that’s a helluva trajectory to be on. It’ll be interesting to see if this Miller endorsement stuff has any credence.
Oh yeah and take it from a smart politico, DONT COUNT ON LOW TURNOUT.
Truth be told
November 12th, 2009
8:59 pm
The professional politicians are circling the wagons to try to keep from loosing their death grip on the patronage ATM called the Atlanta taxpayer.
It should be no surprise to anyone that they want to continue the status quo by putting in 8 more years of Franklin. Its paying off quite nicely for them.
Problem is they’ve been fleecing Atlanta so long that the peasants are angry, and they’ve got torches and pitch forks.
It’s time to break free from the Jackson machine so we can use Atlanta’s taxpayers’ money to keep the city safe and deliver basic services, instead of giving it to bond lawyers and developers.
REED = STATUS QUO
NORWOOD = CHANGE
PoliticOracle
November 12th, 2009
9:11 pm
What about Norwood equals change? Her feckless record as a councilmember has done a number on city finances, as she supported large pension increases not once but, twice. Her pandering and using $106,000 in tax payer funds to pay for food, Mary Norwood trinkets, which I’m told had nothing on it that symbolized the city of Atlanta on them, or her voting to keep police and firemen on furlough.
Y’all are just outright making stuff up now. Mary Norwood has presented nothing that resembles change in her time in office. And she doesn’t offer anything new for Mayor either, except for her skin color. Well not even that, because Jackson was as fair as Norwood. So stop kidding yourselfs. This woman is an inarticulate hack with a thin record of leadership.
Truth be told
November 12th, 2009
9:21 pm
Kasim Reed is the hand-picked successor to the Jackson machine, and he has been chosen to keep the money flowing to the machine.
All the while the southside (with the exception of Cascade) has been allowed to spiral downward – rampant crime, crack houses, trash on the streets, no code enforcement, NO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. .
And you want to reward the machine with 8 more years while the southside sufferes?
What kind of solidarity is that?
Reed supports tax increases for everyone else, while not paying his own taxes? Hypocrite.
Debbie
November 12th, 2009
9:25 pm
Kasim Reed served as campaign manager for Mayor Shirley Franklin’s first and second campaigns. Following her election in November 2001, Mayor Franklin selected Kasim Reed to serve as one of two Co-Chairs for the Shirley Franklin Transition Team. In this capacity, Kasim Reed chaired the search committee for selecting Mayor Franklin’s cabinet-level staff, including the city of Atlanta’s Chief Operating Officer, Chief Financial Officer, City Attorney, Chief of Police and Commissioner of Public Works.
Lord help us.
intersting
November 12th, 2009
9:28 pm
This is beyound stupid! I believe the white folks can smell a rat a mile away all of this endorseing by people wanting to get on the band wagon of kasim reed looks kinda fishy it is like they are ganging up on mary like the race is done and he is mayor it aint ova till its ova stranger things have happened in atlanta
Ethics is key
November 12th, 2009
11:17 pm
No matter how qualified Reed might be, and no matter what perceived shortcomings Norwood has, the fact that Reed has been endorsed by Borders, and now Barnes sends up major red flags that he is part of a political machine, and therefore simply can’t be trusted.
Even if in the extreme you think Reed is sharp as a tack, and Norwood is dumb as a rock, what difference does it make if you use that talent and ability to benefit a political machine instead of benefiting the citizens?
Question
November 12th, 2009
11:28 pm
Is it not hard to understand that councilwoman/men in the minority (non-Shirley Franklin voting members) on the council probably can not boast of many accomplishments as far as legislation in the council goes if you were not on the majority side. Mayor Franklin’s handpicked people were the majority in much of her term in office, speaks for them. The Mayor is a powerful position and I’m assuming she probably saw Mary Norwood out in the communities working regular tasks that council members never do for regular people and felt that Norwood was running for mayor. The Mayor holds most of the power in Atlanta. Ask any other council member what they can really brag about they have accomplished, all of them would hold their head in shame. Lisa Borders, the only thing she ever brought up of her accomplishments while in City Council (not her business career) was the fact that she helped bring the Dream to Atlanta, nice. Get past the politics.
Reed too risky
November 13th, 2009
2:14 am
Reed is far too risky a bet if for no other reason that the political machine endorses him. We need a mayor beholden to the voters, not the wannabe kingmakers of the machine.
WTF
November 13th, 2009
3:58 am
People are so stupid to support Reed. Do they really want Atlanta to turn into the next Detroit? \
Intownwriter
November 13th, 2009
5:18 am
Jim, does the AJC actually check out any of these charges on your blog to see if any hold water? Because they’re not just showing up here, but also in conversations, Facebook and other social media outlets. There are several allegations made here by partisans that I’d love to see the AJC truth-check. On this blog, the comment that Reed has only lived in COA for two years. Also, the continued contention that Norwood voted FOR furloughs twice. That’s not what I remember; my memory is that she voiced her support for fire and police but that she couldn’t in good conscience vote for a property tax increase when the COA had no idea how much money it had or where it was going. Does the AJC have the staff to debunk these rumors, like it used to debunk charges in political ads? We could sure use some of that this year!
Down Low
November 13th, 2009
5:27 am
The main difference between Reed and Bill Cambell is that Reed won’t be running around on his wife. Reed is owned by the Jackson machine.
Intownwriter
November 13th, 2009
5:31 am
And MAYBE y’all could profile the people behind the candidates, and by this I mean their campaign managers and top advisors/staff. Who’s the next Kasim in Kasim’s tent and Mary’s tent? Fresh talent, or old pros? Hired guns or old friends? Tied to whom previously? Seriously, these people *can* have tremendous influence over the candidates’ talking points, strategies, and how conduct themselves in media interviews and public forums. Who ARE they, these behind-the-scenes types? I met some at some forums and some of these guys are zealots. What’s more, will these guys be there – as Kasim was for Shirley – to continue advising after the election? All of this would be valuable information, I think.
Bobby Anthony
November 13th, 2009
5:57 am
Enter your comments here
Bobby Anthony
November 13th, 2009
5:58 am
Teachers will never vote for Barnes.
Andie
November 13th, 2009
6:09 am
Atlantans….Please vote for a fresh start in the political realm of mayoral race. Vote for change you can see visibly because Mary really represents change with no polital favors to friends that does endorsing; only to collect their favors later after elected into office! She is new just like us! She is fresh and we will back her because she intends to do the right thing by all of Atlantas citizens. She was helpless to make the changes she saw that needed to be made in this city because shirley Franklin made it her business to shut anyone out that questioned her about anything that was going wrong in this city ; and was in her charge! She dodged the news people when they were asking her questions on behalf of the citizens of Atlanta! Mary has the chance to clean house and start over as mayor. This woman will do as she promise to the citizens of Atlanta; and this lady will come forward and let us know what she plans to do. Vote for change because Reed is a continuation of Shirley Franklin, only he’s wearing pants! ………………..”Enough Said!!!” Think as if it were you; who was running for mayor; and you know what needs to change in this city, and do the right thing by putting the best person in office; that will represent you and us the citizens of Atlanta. “Have a Wonderful Day Folks” This is fresh…This is new…”THIS IS HISTORY FOR MAKING A CHANGE FOR THE BETTER FOR ALL OF US” Vote for Mary Norwood
Jim
November 13th, 2009
6:55 am
With all due respect, Governor Barnes should keep his mouth shut! He doesn’t live in Atlanta, and those of us who do are not interested in whom he thinks should be mayor. Sounds like a carpet bagger to me!
Andie
November 13th, 2009
7:07 am
And the reason Mary’s not jumping up in the media’s cameras every chance given; is because she has spoke during the debates. She is not catty like Borders who is hating on her and she’s a sore loser. you could see that in this Borders woman face when she announced that she endorsed Reed!
Lisa Borders said it all in her finale ad in her bid for mayor; and goes on to show the catty and bulldog approach that she and Reed are sniping at Mary! Ms. Borders said that it was about the GREEN!!! “Do you get it folks” she and Reed are about the green; not about the citizens of Atlanta! Its about access to the “GREEN!!!” as Ms.Borders said in her ad in her last ditch appeal to Atlantas citizens; only thing; the people saw clearly who she was and she confirmed it with that ad about the greem” Look who Borders threw her fake support behind..”REED” go figure! Please make a change come December and in the process make history and a break-away from the continuation of Shirley and friends in office as mayor of Atlanta! Mary please remain graceful as a real lady; don’t have to be catty to win this election; so don’t buy into Reed’s bulldog tactics of flashing favors before the cameras and debts he has promised them if elected. Grace will win over any evil tactics that your opponent has in store; trying to beat up on you; show you are the stronger one Mary by dusting it off your shoulders and staying focused on what you plan for Atlanta as mayor. When you become mayor Mary; hold press conferences to talk to your citizens directly; to let them know what your plans are and where you may need our help in making things happen the right way without secrets as we’ve witnessed from Franklin’
La-sha
November 13th, 2009
7:37 am
Down Low ..I had forgot that Reed isn’t married, strange that a man that old isn’t married. Bet you Roy Barnes won’t let him around any of his daughters. If Kasim is elected he’ll bring Detroit to us. 4 MORE YEARS, 4 MORE YEARS.
There's still hope for ATL
November 13th, 2009
7:52 am
We, the citizens of Atlanta, are mad as hell and we aren’t gonna take it anymore! Enough of the old political machine that put Shirley in and now wants to deliver us to Kasim. It is time for the great residents of this city to stand up and support one of the few politicians in this town who has been there for us for the last 8 years. She’s been there for ALL of us, not because she was in a campaign but because she really does love this city. She’s the real deal folks. MARY FOR MAYOR!!
Eukayote
November 13th, 2009
8:25 am
@ Aliyah
Reed did NOT bring Pennington to Atlanta.
Reed headed Franklin’s transition team. Franklin hired the executive search firm Spencer Stuart (hello, privatization!) to find the police chief and they found Pennington. Reed had nothing to do with it. You can look it up. Do a search on Pennington’s resume and “City Council” and “Spencer Stuart” and you will find Pennington’s Spencer Stuart dossier.
Down Low
November 13th, 2009
8:27 am
La-sha..I don’t think Roy Barnes has any unmarried daughters.
Pennington
November 13th, 2009
8:29 am
Kasim and are close personal friends, he will take care of the Jackon political machine.
Eukayote
November 13th, 2009
8:31 am
@ There’s still hope for Atlanta
Are you kidding me? “She’s been there for us for 8 years”? She’s done absolutely nothing for 8 years. Her marching orders from Buckhead were to vote against any tax increase and she did that–unfortunately she’s not bright enough to understand how taxes finance the budget so she voted against a half-mill increase in 2008 and in doing so she and her fellow council idiots brought on the police furloughs.
She then voted against ending the furloughs when she voted against a 3-mill increase earmarked for that purpose. But Mary just doesn’t’ get it. She really doesn’t understand how a budget works and to her credit she’s been honest about that–she must have said a million times on the campaign trail “I don’t know.” Did she have an alternative to the 3-mill increase, any auxilliary plans for ending the furloughs? NOPE. She just said “I don’t know.” Mary is running for mayor on the Ignorance Platform and that platform apparently appeals to a lot of ignorant people like you.
Eukayote
November 13th, 2009
8:42 am
@Andie
Mary was “helpless” to make the changes she wanted to make? She seems very good at calling press conferences now, why didn’t she do that back when she was trying to get legislation passed?
You say she needs to appeal directly to the people. Why hasn’t she done that for the past eight years? She always had the public podium if she wanted to use it.
By all means, please do your research before you type. Look up Mary’s feeble little legislative record, those resolutions to recognize some geriatric theatre group or some lady’s garden club. See if you can find even one instance when she took the floor to appeal to the public to help pass meaningful legislation.
The cops sure could have used her help, many times,, but she wasn’t interested in them because she and her neighbors use a private security force, as she freely admitted on July 18 at the Carter Center during the Campaign for Atlanta candidate forum.
Mary is a do nothing politician who serves at the pleasure of her funders, period. You’d best find out who they are, bc if Mary wins (which, thankfully, she won’t) they will be running the city and they ain’t the people you seem to think they are.
La-sha
November 13th, 2009
8:42 am
Down Low… Bing married never bothered Bill Cambell. I am thinking about voting for Reed. I miss Detroit but hate the cold winters a few more years under “the political machine” and Atlanta will be big Detroit.
Eukayote
November 13th, 2009
8:47 am
I can’t stand Roy Barnes, but Kasim Reed is by far the best leader in this race.
Down Low
November 13th, 2009
9:04 am
La-sha..I didn’t know Detroit was that bad have you been on the south side lately?
Salt and Pepper
November 13th, 2009
9:14 am
I have lived in SW Atlanta for 8 years. I have served as president of my neighborhood association and an officer of in my NPU. Mary is the only candidate that I met at any kind of neighborhood forum or event other than campaigning. Lisa didn’t attend our public safety forums, Mary did. But then that was before her residences were broken into. Then she got on the public safety bandwagon. Shirley lives close by but she has a police car and officer in front of her house 24-7. She was more interested in keeping the criminals in her own family out of jail than locking up the criminals in this city Kasim doesn’t understand the problems. He is Shirley’s heir to the political machine that puts rewards for a few above the good of all. Mary was working with us long before Kasim moved to Atlanta. Mary knows that code enforcement, public safety, .public works, and economic development are broken here.
When I told Mayor Franklin several years ago what a devastating effect mortgage fraud was having on our community she said that it wasn’t a city problem. Wow, vacant houses, not paying property taxes are not a city problem? Mary is the only person who worked hard with us to help get these houses back into owner occupants. Mary is smart. She does understand the problems. Vote for change. Vote for Mary
Deborah
November 13th, 2009
9:16 am
Roy Barnes endorsed… Apparently, no elected officials feel the same way about Mary.
Now, I don’t like to ruin a good storyline for anyone, but so long as we’re counting formerly elected officials, former Mayor Sam Massell has indicated his support for Mary Norwood.
For what it’s worth, he’s liberal.
Bring it Home
November 13th, 2009
9:29 am
Roy Barnes will get the African-American vote—but he better bring back a lot of benefits to the minority community in Atlanta after he gets in office. I’m tired of getting shafted by the white power brokers in the legislature when they start handing out money.
Mel
November 13th, 2009
9:43 am
Roy, Roy, Roy…..I was seriously considering voting for you for Governor until you played politics in a race (pardon the pun) that you have no horse running. Jim Martin…great endorsement. What an influence he wields. Lisa, predictable. Shirley, same ol’ same ol’. Good luck Mary, the Democrat establishment is against you…maybe that’s not the worst thing that could happen to you. Could be that this will align people in Atlanta who don’t more of the same, to back you in the runoff.
Andie
November 13th, 2009
9:52 am
http://www.sovo.com
Read up on Mary Norwood; for you reed bots and stop selling yourself out here that you work for him in some kind of way; because you know a little too much about Mr. reed’s doings and his life history as in a friend of his!!!
@Eukayote everyone knows who you are and where your loyalty lies in the Reed/Borders/Franklin/Barnes camp for mayor…” You see; we get all four if we vote for Reed!!!”
NO THANK YOU!
Andie
November 13th, 2009
10:08 am
“VOTE FOR MARY NORWOOD COME DECEMBER RUNOFF”
VOTE FOR DIFFERENT
VOTE FOR CHANGE
VOTE FOR SOMEONE WHO WILL WORK FOR YOU HANDS ON AND NOT HIDE FROM YOU LIKE SHIRLEY FRANKLIN DID DURING HER WHOLE STINT AS MAYOR OF ATLANTA!!!!!!
WE PUT SHIRLEY FRANKLIN IN AS MAYOR BUT SHE QUICKLY FORGOT ABOUT ALL THE PEOPLE THAT PUT HER THERE AND RETRACTED ON HER PROMISES OF “NO NEW TAXES”
KASIM REED IS SHIRLEY FRANKLIN IN A MALE SUIT AND TIE!!!
ATLANTA IS SEEKING A BREAK FROM THE OLD POLITICKS!!! AND A FRESH NEW MOVE INTO A NEW WAY ITS DONE. “VOTE FOR MARY NORWOOD SHE IS THE CHOSEN ONE”
http://www.sovo.com/
EVERYBODY READ UP ON THIS LADY…”SHE IS THE CHOSEN ONE”
@Eukayote
SIT BACK AND READ BECAUSE YOUR COMMENTS CAN’T HOLD WATER TO THE TRUTH!!!
AND YOU HAVE A GOOD DAY IN YOUR REED/BORDERS/FRANKLIN/BARNES STRATEGY FOR NOT BECOMMING ATLANTA’S NEXT MAYOR!
Can't trust the machine
November 13th, 2009
10:40 am
What Eukayote fails to understand is that even if Reed is more competent, he is of the machine. What good is competence if you use it to represent the needs of the machine, and not the needs of the citizens?
Y.T. Smith
November 13th, 2009
10:48 am
Norwood will bring a little bit of Buckhead to every neighborhood. That’s what we need.
Midtown for Reed
November 13th, 2009
11:00 am
Midtown is for Reed we are rallying to get Reed elected in Midtown does not represent us in Midtown. Mary Norwood campaign is in shamble. I am taken 10 people to vote on November 18 for early vote. Norwood campaign staff does know why she miss her press conference. Mary Norwood said she does not know if she ever road Marta. Everytime you ask Mary Norwood a question she laugh and said I dont know. Like I said her campaign does not know why her campaign in shamble
Midtown for Reed
Carl
November 13th, 2009
11:32 am
Look this campaign is over with, Reed is going to win Norwood does not have a chance to win …Norwood need to fire her staff. She in the Black area trying to get vote what about she should be in the white area trying to get vote…I am white and I am voten for Reed
Debbie
November 13th, 2009
1:40 pm
Salt & Pepper: it’s people like you – neighborhood activists – who know the real story about Mary Norwood and her tireless service to the under-served parts of this city. And, Salt & Pepper, it’s people like you who could help Mary’s campaign by coming forward and showing public support for her! Who cares about a bunch of politicians congratulating each other with endorsements? The people who matter are the people who live, work, play, and struggle in this city. The people who know the real story of how poorly the city is run and how it will continue to be run under Reed are the neighborhood activists! Please get together and throw your support behind Mary Norwood! She needs you now. I hope black supporters of Mary don’t have to be afraid – that worries me in this racially divided town.
La-sha
November 13th, 2009
1:43 pm
I agree with Carl, why would any black person vote for a white woman when they can vote for the Jackson machine. By the way what has the Jackson machine ever done for anyone other than the chosen few?
There's still hope for ATL
November 13th, 2009
3:45 pm
Salt & Pepper is right. Those of us who have been active in the communities over the last 8 years know that Mary HAS been there for us. I’ve been NPU Chairperson for 6 years and Mary has been the only council member who has always listened to the community and worked to solve problems. And that was before the campaign season! We have a chance to make our government responsive to its citizens again. Don’t waste it. VOTE MARY!
Elector
November 13th, 2009
10:22 pm
King Roy is shopping for votes in Atlanta but injecting a partisan tone to the mayors race is bad for our city. We can have a faux democratic primary all we want but in the end we have to work with a largely republican state.
City of Buckhead/Milton County here we come.
saddened
November 15th, 2009
3:02 am
this saddens me this race is about racial lines and i don’t like it the next mayor should be about Atlanta not the black elite or the hartsfield driven vendors he/she is supoosed to be mayor for everybody black white latino asian indian all i hear is black white and as far as the rec centers are concerned if the next mayor enforces family values marry yo baby mama, stop having babies from saggy pants men and take car of yo kids so they not running the streets we won’t need every rec center open all hours of the night