Your morning jolt: Cracker Barrel and the Atlanta race for mayor
Ten years ago, a young African-American low on his law firm’s pecking order was drafted into the legal defense of Cracker Barrel restaurants.
The chain peddles Southern cooking and country crafts to interstate travelers. At the time, Cracker Barrel also stood accused of serving up other Southern traditions as well, most notably discrimination against black customers.
The lawyer in question, Kasim Reed, is now running for mayor of Atlanta. Reed’s involvement in one of several Cracker Barrel lawsuits was noted this week by Atlanta Progressive News, a liberal Web site that has endorsed rival Mary Norwood.
The information was clearly intended to chill Reed’s labor support and — never mind the Rev. Joe Lowery’s endorsement on Wednesday — send shivers up and down the spines of black voters.
The 1999 case Reed was assigned to involved wage, not racial, discrimination. It quickly went to mediation.
“I was brought on to make Cracker Barrel better,” Reed, 40, said this week. His campaign spokesman noted that this summer’s alleged assault by a white man on a female African-American soldier at one of the chain’s restaurants was caught on video — because of settlement provisions agreed to by the company during this period.
Reed offered a second line of defense as well. As a junior associate for a firm that specialized in defending companies in employment disputes, just four years out of law school, he had no choice. Refusal carried only one consequence.
“You would be fired,” Reed said. Though he may have been a legal foot soldier, the case didn’t involve chump change. The owners of Cracker Barrel told stockholders that they had set aside $3.5 million for settlement costs and legal expenses.
It is Reed’s second argument that may be more compelling.
The point of racial politics is to reduce a complicated, mottled issue to the simplicity of black and white. But the marvelous thing about the South is that its politics are anything but simple, especially when it comes to race.
In 1983, after two terms, Maynard Jackson, Atlanta’s first black mayor, took a job with a Chicago law firm — having been rejected by Atlanta’s big outfits. The hostility from the city’s white business community was that thick, said Bob Holmes, author of a new Jackson biography.
Twenty-five years later, having paid his dues in Atlanta firms, an African-American lawyer –who cut his teeth on employment discrimination law and keeping corporations out of trouble — is seeking the office of mayor.
If that is not progress, it is certainly irony. (Reed is now on leave from a different firm, Holland & Knight, where he developed a specialty in entertainment law.)
Lawyers will tell you that there is an inconsistency to the argument that, while even the most brutal murderer should be allowed the company of a lawyer, a corporation isn’t entitled to competent representation, however expensive.
Nor would any attorney allow that sitting beside a client constitutes an endorsement.
More important, those who argue that racial justice shouldn’t be a matter for arbitration have several decades of history to catch up on. Issues of race have always been negotiated — sometimes quite skillfully.
Several days ago, former Gov. Roy Barnes stood with Reed at the state Capitol, under the bronze nose of Tom Watson, the late 19th-century Georgia politician who advocated both white supremacy and rural free delivery.
At the endorsement ceremony, several references were made to Barnes’ 2001 initiative to remove the Confederate battle emblem from its prominent spot on the state flag.
No mention was given to the fact that, perhaps more than any individual in the state Capitol, Reed was responsible for subverting plans by Sonny Perdue, the Republican who replaced Barnes, to hold a statewide referendum asking voters whether the battle emblem should be restored.
The year was 2003. The legislation setting up the vote on the ’56 state flag cruised toward approval. But the governor, to close a gap in the state’s $16 billion budget, had also proposed a tobacco tax increase. And in the Senate, Republicans were 10 votes short.
On the last day of the legislative session, Reed quietly rounded up the 10 Democratic votes needed. Interestingly, his own was not among them. He held those votes in his pocket until Perdue agreed to a gutted version of the statewide flag vote, minus the Confederate battle emblem.
Because it involved a tax hike, the trade has not been a favorite topic of discussion among Republicans.
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132 comments Add your comment
Mary Norwood mess up
November 19th, 2009
7:42 am
Krooked Kasim, but Galloway loves him, so the spin is in Reed’s favor… Working for the man.. but ya’ll love him. Rock on, Atlanta. Racism is alive and well.
BeClear
November 19th, 2009
7:48 am
Can Galloway just go ahead and announce he is supporting Kasim Reed.
AJC HA!!!!
November 19th, 2009
7:52 am
Wow…..AJC spinning something into Reeds favor what a surprise. There is a reason the AJC is known as the franklin pr machine. Sorry if anyone else had done this it would be a huge deal. Sorry anyone that says opps sorry I was young and had no choice is a liar. What about ethics, personal beliefs, and standing for what is right. This mearly shows what reed is all about….Imagine him as mayor…..well I know I shouldn’t have given all those lucrative contracts to my friends, but I was a new mayor and had no choice.
Political Nothing
November 19th, 2009
8:04 am
JIM GALLOWAY OFFICIALLY ENDORSES KASIM REED
PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY, GALLOWAY WILL FILL EVERYONE IN ON HIS INSIDE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS ENDORSEMENT LATER TODAY.
Mary
November 19th, 2009
8:06 am
Norwood’s paid bloggers are upset that Galloway wouldn’t hand them the election with a bogus story from the crappy Atlanta Progressive News LOL. I guess that’s what you have to do if you can’t win the election based on your candidates merit.
Counter Thought
November 19th, 2009
8:10 am
This is far from an endorsement from Galloway, but surely you wouldn’t expect him to endorse Mary Norwood even if he was making an endorsement. She has to depend on numbskulls like Ralph “I’m unemployed..pay me” Long and Able “just give me a piece of chicken from the Beautiful” Mable.
Matt
November 19th, 2009
8:11 am
Time for Change at APD…
“Officers lied to a judge to get a search warrant for Johnston’s home. They shot her six times, handcuffed her, planted drugs in the house, and then tried to coerce a witness into telling their fabricated story. he event caused a deep breach of trust between police and citizens.”
http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/wabe/news.newsmain?action=article&ARTICLE_ID=1579776
Vasher
November 19th, 2009
8:12 am
Ahhh….did Galloway hurt the feelings of Norwood’s bloggers? Suck it up! You need to make sure your candidate shows up on election day. We all know she has a bad habit of disappearing.
Old Georgia
November 19th, 2009
8:18 am
I’m tired of the blacks getting a pass…they’ve destroyed this city. These people can’t run a Church’s Chicken, how do you expect them to be able to run a city? Mary Norwood all the way!
Kasim Reed for Mayor!
November 19th, 2009
8:22 am
I find it funny how Norwood had the luxury of staying above the fray in the general election, but as soon as things got tough for her, she’s disappearing and her supporters are playing victim. Give me a break! I guess ya’ll thought you were just going to walk into the Mayor’s office…not so fast. Kasim Reed has something to say about that.
Mary Norwood mess up
November 19th, 2009
8:29 am
Wow why is somebody useing my blogg name I am all the way for Kasim Reed..Norwood supporters are dirty and trashy.
Look I already voted early for Kasim Reed
This is the Real Mary Norwood Mess Up.. Ha Ha Ha Norwood is going to lose
Disgusted in Atlanta
November 19th, 2009
8:35 am
How come all the black leaders are endorsing Reed? If all the white leaders endorsed Norwood, the black community would be charging racism. Don’t try and tell me this race isn’t about race because it sure is. Come on Atlanta wake up. But guess what you get what you vote. So if you don’t vote, don’t complain. Get off your butts and get out and vote for the best candidate regardless of race. Otherwise, quit your complaining.
Mary Norwood mess up
November 19th, 2009
8:35 am
Ha Ha Ha look who got that the real facts about Cracker Barrel,,,,,,Norwood is putting out lies about Reed the true just been told. Thanks Jim Galloway…
Vote Early for Kasim Reed
Mary Norwood mess up
November 19th, 2009
8:35 am
By the way, me and my midtown Georgia Equality people are voting for Kasim, he’s the only one who cares about our lifestyles. See you all at Blakes!!
Mary Norwood mess up
November 19th, 2009
8:38 am
Look Digusted in Atlanta Reed did not only get black endorsement he also got white endorsement….Check your facts before you put lies out there
Rachel
November 19th, 2009
8:39 am
Nice spin, Galloway.
Would some journalist out there take a look into Kasim’s “entertainment” clients? I would like to know more about his role in peddling violent, misogynistic “music” to our children.
Mary Norwood mess up
November 19th, 2009
8:43 am
Rachel you racist get off the blogg…Tell your children stop listening to the radio. Ha Ha Ha another lie against Reed
Early vote for Reed
Norwood paying Bloggers
November 19th, 2009
8:51 am
Norwood is paying bloggers to come on here to attack Reed supporter..
Teela is one of the bloggers she is paying
Mary Norwood mess up
November 19th, 2009
8:51 am
The lawns are growing and the trees need pruning. Any you probably have a “staff” meeting to go to, so really, we don’t want your opinion. You already voted and your messy comments aren’t are only hurting your candidate. Have fun though.
Mary Norwood mess up
November 19th, 2009
8:52 am
You seem to have an identity crisis. Go have some coffee and think about yourself.
Jackalope
November 19th, 2009
8:54 am
So Reed can defend Cracker Barrel but Norwood goes to BOTH a Democratic and Republican convention and she gets skewered. Oh, and Reed can not pay his taxes for 8 years too. Good job Galloway – what does Reed’s brother have you promised an airport contract?
Teela
November 19th, 2009
8:58 am
Rachel: I would like to hear more about this, and other questionable things that have been floated around about Reed.
We need to know more about this man….besides Galloway’s spin.
Jim Galloway, I know you work for a fish wrapper, but I thought better of you before. You bias is really showing.
No matter…the candidates will stand or fall on Dec. 1st. The people who try to intimidate posters here are just trifling and ignorant folk. The only thing they can keep yelling is “racist”. and it’s just a word that turns right around on them. Always has.
And they make Reed look ghetto.
Vote for Norwood Dec. 1st. Vote for a change.
Norwood paying Bloggers
November 19th, 2009
8:58 am
How much these bloggers getting paid. Wow Norwood bloggers useing Reed supporters blogger names…Look Norwood bloggers is scare…They running out of lies against Reed. Norwood is no where to be found and she begging the Gays to support her wow this tell you something about Norwood she is not to be trusted.
Will Jones - Atlanta Jeffersonian Exegesis
November 19th, 2009
8:59 am
Norwood can go to whatever convention she’s ELECTED to attend as a delegate…Her problem was lying about whether she recalled if she voted for her cousin, draft-dodging, closet-queen, George W. Bush, WHO COMMITTED 9/11!
She is a liar. True Atlantans cannot condone this bald-faced lie, to our faces, by a woman who squired around an oft-married radio tycoon until she was past childbearing. What would that teach our daughters if we then made her elect?
Norwood paying Bloggers
November 19th, 2009
9:05 am
So true Will Jones i told these Norwood supporters that she is a lier and a undercover Republican I am strictly demoncrate.
Vote early for Kasim Reed
Norwood paying Bloggers
November 19th, 2009
9:07 am
Teela you are the ignorant person on here and Teela is getting paid by Norwood to attack Reed supporter. Teela you need to look in the mirror and ask yourself why you really supporting Norwood.
Michelle
November 19th, 2009
9:09 am
@Will-
And what would it teach our sons if we elected a wealthy, childless playboy Mayor? In all his success as an attorney and elected official, Kasim hasn’t found ANY one “worthy” of committing to? Are there no women in Atlanta who meet his elite standards?
jconservative
November 19th, 2009
9:09 am
You folks are guilty of shooting the messenger.
Mary Norwood mess up
November 19th, 2009
9:10 am
I personally make Kasim Reed’s lunch and dinner, wish I could make his breakfast and fix his suits also.
Jackson Machine
November 19th, 2009
9:14 am
Kasim Reed has been endorsed by the Jackson Machine. To help Kasim, we are going to start a honorary voting program. That’s correct your dead aunt and uncle can vote for Kasim Reed, all you have to do is forward their full name, date of birth and social security number to the Reed headquarters. After the election we will have a drawing for a free minority contract at the Jackson Airport. Trust the Jackson Machine to do what’s RIGHT.
Blow
November 19th, 2009
9:16 am
Mary Norwood for mayor, enough with the blacks making a mess of the city
Norwood paying Bloggers
November 19th, 2009
9:18 am
Look at all the Norwood paid bloggers and staff are attacking Reed on here. This tell you why Norwood campaign in shamble look at Teela got around 5 names on here she go by. Teela is a racist white woman who get paid by Norwood
Terri
November 19th, 2009
9:18 am
this mess is funny
common sense aint common
November 19th, 2009
9:21 am
these norwood supporters put some extremely ignorant comments on here. & racists are gonna believe what they wanna believe, regardless of how absurd or illogical it is
RACHEL- why do u assume that kasim represents rap artists in his entertainment law practice? is it becuz he’s black? as an entertainment lawyer, he could be representing opera singers, songwriters, clowns, painters, etc. don’t be so quick to stereotype black people dumb azz.
and as far as his endorsements, kasim has been endorsed by MANY people, some w/ brown skin & some w/ white skin.
Person with bad grammar
November 19th, 2009
9:21 am
DEAR MARY NORWOOD MESS UP and MARY NORWOOD PAYING BLOGGERS,
Please… I am begging you to use proper grammar when posting things on this blog. You are represening yourself as a Kasim supporter. Do you understand that the more you type the less and less credible the points you make are?
This for example….
So true Will Jones i told these Norwood supporters that she is a lier and a undercover Republican I am strictly demoncrate.
Ok, “lier” is spelled LIAR.
instead of “she is a lier and a undercover Republican”
You should replace a with an.
Demoncrate is spelled Democrat.
I am a Kasim supporter, and I am telling you that it is painful to read your posts.Suggestion: Copy and paste your posts into Microsoft Word and make sure you set it to spell check and grammar check what you want to say.
Norwood paying Bloggers
November 19th, 2009
9:21 am
Terri this is real funny when Norwood staff is getting paid to attack Reed on here.
Early vote for Reed
Norwood paying Bloggers
November 19th, 2009
9:22 am
Teela how much Norwood paying her staff to attack Reed on here
Paul Jissou
November 19th, 2009
9:22 am
“African-American?” What about “European-American” instead of “white?” Why are you so scared to write “black????”
Norwood paying Bloggers
November 19th, 2009
9:24 am
I really forgot how speak grammar correctly and really am the same person I am as Mary Norwood mess up. Vote black for Kasim Reed. I wish I was employ.
Inman Park Truth
November 19th, 2009
9:26 am
Blow, Old Georgia, and Disgusted in Atlanta: Your overt appeals to rascism are disgusting. Neither candidate has made any effort to be racially divisive, yet you clearly only care about the candidates based on their skin color. Is it really impossible for you to trust an educated, successful black man? I had really hoped this city had come farther than that in the past several decades, I’m disappointed to see I was wrong.
p.s. You’re also completely wrong about Kasim’s endorsements, he has also been endorsed by Roy Barnes, Jim Martin, Nan Orrock, and enjoys the support of many many other white voters, like me, who are not as obtuse, petty and backwards as you are.
Mary Norwood mess up
November 19th, 2009
9:28 am
Whatever, this our board, we control this. We will make uninformed ignorant point cause we no better role in life going good.
Norwood paying Bloggers
November 19th, 2009
9:30 am
Teela I understand your reading my post I am here to tell the trueth about your candidate Norwood. Teela it funny how you on here to attack me and also Reed we would see if Norwood is going to win this race.
Look Teela you a racist white woman who dont live on the SW side of Atlanta
Teela you looking lonely in Norwood campaign office
Blow
November 19th, 2009
9:32 am
Norwood pays bloggers and other media outlets!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
@Counter Thought
November 19th, 2009
9:34 am
Is this really the best you can do? Someone endorses a candidate other than the Machine candidate, and this is what they get, lies on a blog? Was Kasim entitled to ALL the endorsements? Rev. Lowery and Andy Young don’t have enough juice to make up for two “defecters” (as you see it)?
I guess the rights to free expression and to vote your conscience only extend to Black politicians when they go with the anointed candidate.
blow
November 19th, 2009
9:34 am
and she will win !!!!!!
Norwood paying Bloggers
November 19th, 2009
9:35 am
Thanks Inman Park you better be quiet because Norwood staff on here will attack you they getting paid big money with tax paying money to attack Reed on here and his supporters. Ask Teela how much she get paid.
She would tell you she get paid by commission everytime she post against Reed and his supporter.
Norwood paying Bloggers
November 19th, 2009
9:37 am
Just vote black Kasim Reed. These white folks racist and are scared to vote for true quality candidate and dey all pay for bloggers everytime they speak. Vote Kasim Reed.
atlantagirl
November 19th, 2009
9:39 am
http://hklaw.wordpress.com/2009/01/03/hk-kasim-reed-lawyer-for-the-rich-and-racist/
Norwood paying Bloggers
November 19th, 2009
9:40 am
Teela are you lonely what time your lunch break today want you go to 5 point an pass out fliers for Norwood
Terri
November 19th, 2009
9:42 am
It’s really interesting how this blog can bring out some of the worst. Has either candidate talked about the sewage system in depth yet with a real plan? Just asking….
Why doesn't the AJC come out of the closet and endorse Reed?
November 19th, 2009
9:43 am
This is silly. Why doesn’t the AJC just come out and officially endorse Reed already? They are clearly in the tank.
I ain't scared to death
November 19th, 2009
9:46 am
I voted too Mary Norwood mess up and guess what…it wasn’t for Kasim Reed…stop spreading your trifing lies on this blog talking about people getting paid, find sometime else to lie about.
Scared Mary is going to win?
Hypothyroidism, Herpes, HPV, Hypertension, Hemorrhoids
November 19th, 2009
9:50 am
MARY NORWOOD I NEED AFFORDABLE HEALTHCARE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Norwood paying Bloggers
November 19th, 2009
9:51 am
Teela what does this mean>>>>>>>find sometime else to lie abou
Teela is nervous that why I know Norwood is paying her staff to come on here to attack Reed and his supporter…She just attack Rev. Joseph Lowery. Teela what time you going to Blake to pass out fliers for Norwood.
I ain't scared to death
November 19th, 2009
9:54 am
Terri, Mary has talked about meter covers and everything else, look at her TV ad, has Kasim talked about the issues in his ads?
22 rec centers? How is he going to pay to open them back up?
On the backs of the employees at City Hall? Guess who is the majority down there, BLACK FOLKS! Where was Rev. Lowery and all of the endorsements when they closed City Hall on Fridays? Furloughed and layed off folks down there at City Hall. And folks complain about service?
Let’s talk real here.
what happened to the idiot filter?
November 19th, 2009
9:58 am
Galloway, what happened to filtering out the idiots, a**holes and bored office workers looking to piss off everyone else for their own enjoyment? I liked your blog a lot better that way.
Elector
November 19th, 2009
10:01 am
I see we have a couple of illiterate Reed supporters who think that this election is about popularity and other trivialities. It’s about crime and competence! Which candidate is going to make the decisions to reduce crime and finally bring competence to City Hall.
Norwood paying Bloggers
November 19th, 2009
10:04 am
I ain’t scared to death why you lying about everything Norwood did for the city.Why Norwood sign to close 20 recreation center down now she need votes so want to tell everybody she going open them back up. Also Norwood was doing the furloughs in the police dept. check your facts
I ain’t scared to death which is Teela
Elector
November 19th, 2009
10:05 am
Bring on the race baiting and it will be another generation before Atlanta gets any help from the state.
Norwood paying Bloggers
November 19th, 2009
10:09 am
Teela are you running out of lies that why you talking about Reed and his supporters. Elector= Teela you know Norwood been in city council for 8 yrs why the crime in the city is still the same dont blame on Reed.
Reality
November 19th, 2009
10:11 am
Wake me when its over. By the way, what Atlanta really needs is better behaving citizens. Not even the best leader in the world can do anything about that.
@Elector
November 19th, 2009
10:19 am
No one is afraid of the piss-poor leadership we have in this State. Atlanta is not only the economic engine for Georgia, but the whole Southeast region.
To all the other ignorant posters on this thread, Jim galloway used real journalistic integrity to research and report on Reed’s ties to the Cracker Barrel discrimination suit. I and a few other commentors tried to educate you all as to what these cases often involve, but many of you were hell-bent on trying to discredit Reed for honest legal work. I take it many of you don’t own businesses or work high on the corporate ladder, because if you did you’d know that businesses must defend themselves and reach settlements that won’t shut their company down. Reed’s work on this case put him in a roll where he was able to affect change in a company that had long had issues with discrimination.
Your poor attempts to tear him down have been futile and have only caused smart voters to look more and more at his record and they see that he is head and shoulders above Norwood.
Mary Norwood’s campaign headquarters is located at:
591-A Edgewood Avenue SE.
Atlanta, Georgia
Why don’t all you North Fulton, Cobb, Cherokee and Forsyth voters come and canvass for her on election day.
p.s. I might be PoliticOracle, but you never know because the Norwooders jacked my handle.
Down to its simplest, but no simpler
November 19th, 2009
10:27 am
“I support Kasim Reed 4 Mayor of Atlanta. Mary Norwood supports GENTRIFICATION.”–Kasim Reed for Mayor Facebook post
How'dNorwoodLose?
November 19th, 2009
10:29 am
She lost by building support with lies, misinformation, distortion and not having a record. Norwood = Palin = Failure = Celebritorial Obscurity…
Here we go again.
November 19th, 2009
10:35 am
I saw where Reed was behind two years on his property taxes and/or his mothers condo in Atlanta but did finally pay up. So if you can’t even keep up with paying your property taxes on time that’s not a good indication you can run a city, imo.
Norwood paying Bloggers
November 19th, 2009
10:35 am
Politic Oracle man these Norwood staffer are getting paid big money to steal Reed supporter name on here an also to bash Reed on here.
It’s the Teela racist white woman who doing all this mess on here
Tired of racism from both races
November 19th, 2009
10:39 am
The funny thing is Reed supporters sign on here as Norwood people to make them sound like racist rednecks…
Probably 90% of the bloggers on here don’t even live in the city limits since Metro Atlanta is much larger than the city of Atlanta.
Norwood paying Bloggers
November 19th, 2009
10:41 am
Look another lie put out about Reed taxes wow they dont have a clue what going wrong with Norwood campaign they so busy telling lies about Reed >>>>>>>>Norwood is losen in the polls everyday. I went to pass out fliers for Reed campaign and you should have seen the line for early votes out for Reed….I know Reed is getting the early votes out.
While Norwood is running from the media. Teela tell Norwood take off that awful AD off the tv.
Norwood paying Bloggers
November 19th, 2009
10:46 am
I live in Midtown and I am supporting Reed I would never use Norwood supporter name on here these fakes Norwood supporter have use my screen name several time. I had to change my name on here around 10 times.
Watch out for Norwood Staff they would attack you with lies.
Concerned about Atlanta
November 19th, 2009
11:04 am
That Jim Galloway, he make me cry with his eloquent defense of poor Kasim Reed. If he refused to defend Cracker Barrel from workers him be fired. Poor Kasim had no choice but try to deny civil rights to those workers and minorities.
What progress we make now that we can elect to be mayor of the home of civil rights, someone who made tons of money being the black face of the big corporations to deny workers and minority rights.
Ain’t this wonderful.
I wondered how long it would take Galloway to formulate a sympathetic defense.
Remember when Reed was accusing Mary of being a re
Concerned about Atlanta
November 19th, 2009
11:06 am
That Jim Galloway, he make me cry with his eloquent defense of poor Kasim Reed. If he refused to defend Cracker Barrel from workers him be fired. Poor Kasim had no choice but try to deny civil rights to those workers and minorities.
What progress we make now that we can elect to be mayor of the home of civil rights, someone who made tons of money being the black face of the big corporations to deny workers and minority rights.
Ain’t this wonderful.
I wondered how long it would take Galloway to formulate a sympathetic defense.
Remember when Reed was accusing Mary of being a republican? There was no attempt by Galloway to point out the Mary has spent the last 8 years in all parts of the city, black and white, helping improve neighborhoods.
It’s official, Jim Galloway is Kasim Reeds apologist for his anti-civil rights legal career.
MaryTheMisinformer
November 19th, 2009
11:11 am
PLEASE SEE HOW MARY NORWOOD HAS AGAIN BEEN CAUGHT MISINFORMING VOTERS
Department of Watershed Management’s Response to Mary Norwood Incorrect Television Ad
——————————————————————————–
Over the weekend, Mayoral candidate Mary Norwood released a television ad which contains incorrect and misleading information about the City’s Automated Meter Reading (AMR) program. In the ad, Norwood states that the City has “150,000 water meter covers that don’t fit.” DWM Commissioner Robert Hunter states that this is absolutely untrue.
As part of the AMR program, DWM is replacing and upgrading approximately 150,000 meters. However, the number of meters reported with lids which do not fit properly represents significantly less than 1% of the meters. Presently there are 994 open work orders to replace meter lids, not 150,000 as Ms. Norwood claims. The AMR program is an innovative program which streamlines and automates the meter reading process, eliminates the need for manual reading, and provides a more efficient and accurate bill for the customer.
“It is difficult to believe that this represents anything other than either an intentional misrepresentation or a complete lack of factual knowledge,” said Commissioner Hunter. He added, “We are available 24/7 to City Council Members. If it’s important enough for a campaign ad then you would think it was important enough to actually fact check. Atlanta has some difficult years ahead as we continue to restore the City’s systems and recover with the economy. Every day this department must make informed decisions on how to best apply our limited resources for our customers. What I hear from those customers is that we have made exceptional improvements and that they want us to continue making responsible decisions based on factual analysis. They want honesty and transparency and we are meeting that expectation as we continue to improve.”
Cracker Barrel Mgt
November 19th, 2009
11:11 am
Your vote for Kasim Reed will be appreciated by all of our staff. You will be happy to know that along with our new minority partners the Jackson Machine, we will be opening a number of Cracker Barrels in the Hartsfield airport for your enjoyment.
Jackalope
November 19th, 2009
11:12 am
Norwood is ahead in the polls
Her people will turn out on Election Day.
The end.
Justine
November 19th, 2009
11:14 am
Mary Norwood has shown her true colors. The fact of the matter is she was the first to put racial background into the matter. She has chosen to associate herself with a group of people who will say and probably do anything to get her elected. The Cracker Barrel matter her side spoke of is without merit in this instance. It was only mentioned because it is their position that people, especially Blacks, are so uneducated they would not be able to differentiate between what recently happened and ten year old case that did not involve race. I am sure if we dug deep into her past we would find things most unflaterring. When it comes down to it, here is the situation.
The City of Atlanta is in deep financial trouble. Mary Norwood has sat on City Council for 8 years. Thus she is part of the problem. I never heard a vocal outcry at concil meetings. She talks about her water audit what she does not say is it was only after the wealthy in Buckhead began to complain not when the poor did. What she did do is the typcial political thing and get in the face of people who could not see through her inability to get anything done.
Norwood paying Bloggers
November 19th, 2009
11:14 am
Concerned about Atlanta : Look why you want to attack Galloway he put the true facts on here, I see Norwood paid staff on here trying to attack Galloway this is why Norwood campaign is in shamble and look what you call it when the media ask her did she vote for Obama and she said she think so and what you call it when Norwood voted for Bush, also a Republican delegate for the Republican convention.
Concerned about Atlanta: Get your true facts together before you trying to bash Galloway
Jackalope
November 19th, 2009
11:18 am
There are no Norwood Staffers on here. They’re out winning the election. Reed’s (it’s SOOO obvious who Reed’s bloggers are) the one wasting money paying bloggers to post on a blog that about 50 people in the entire Country read.
trudytu
November 19th, 2009
11:22 am
Does Lisa still think Reed had something to do with her home breakins…I just wonder…since she decided to support him…Mmmm
Norwood paying Bloggers
November 19th, 2009
11:27 am
Jackalope I heard that Norwood phone staffer be on here getting paid from Norwood posting attack AD against Reed an his endorsement.
trudytu
November 19th, 2009
11:27 am
Everybody (black community) knows that Andy and Joseph are opportunists for THEMSELVES…at the AIRPORT…soooo what’s new…..
The Black Commentator
November 19th, 2009
11:29 am
http://www.blackcommentator.com/178/178_cover_negro_corporate_politician_dixon.html
trudytu
November 19th, 2009
11:30 am
I don’t remember saying that……………
Teela
November 19th, 2009
11:38 am
Thank you, Jackalope……but this trifling Mess Up (who has done nothing but lie…) has pushed me to volunteer today in Mary’s campaign office.
So, out of his ignorant, racist and mentally unbalanced (besides grammatically painful postings here) he has done something positive.
But what he has done for his own candidate should make even M. Kasim Reed blush and shudder. Some supporters Reed has! LOL!
I am not a staffer, I am not anything to Mary but a friend. Way before she decided to run for mayor….10 years before.
She visited our SW Atlanta neighborhood when we couldn’t get our own council member interested or responsive to the communities concerns. Mary was the “Go to Girl” for all of us.
Shame on Galloway to allow his blog to be hijacked by such people. But in the desperation of the situation, there are strange bedfellows. Perhaps Galloway will wake up and smell the dung someday.
Mary Norwood has my vote and not because she is white. I voted for Franklin and Campbell and boy did I cast my vote before swine. Hindsight issues here….LOL!
Mary is the ONLY candidate that isn’t mired in the corruption that Reed is and will continue to be.
But politics in Atlanta are ever so….so lets get together and break the back of this nasty camel.
I’m leaving to answer phones for Mary in a little while. The insanity here has forced me to do so. And at least I will feel good about spending my time with the sane.
Vote for Norwood December 1st!!! Vote for REAL change.
Norwood paying Bloggers
November 19th, 2009
11:38 am
Jack why is Norwood staff on here attacking Reed supporter and also his endorser now they trying to attack Galloway. I know for a fact her campaign staffer are on here to attack Reed.
Pontius Pilate was brought in to make Christianity better
November 19th, 2009
11:50 am
Reed says he was brought in to make Cracker Barrel better.
And Pontius Pilate was brought in to improve the relationship between Christians and Romans.
Reed says he didn’t have a choice. The most damning lie of all.
He made his choice when he chose to work with a firm whose major scope was to limit the legal liability of corporations that violate the rights of employees.
Now he want to portray himself as the average working citizens’ friend.
It’s not the be all end all when it comes to evaluating Kasim Reed, but that Reed is trying to brush it off shows the contempt he has for the people he claims to want to represent.
Norwood paying Bloggers
November 19th, 2009
11:52 am
Teela look what you just said: I’m leaving to answer phones for Mary in a little while that mean you are a staff and you getting paid. While look who telling on herself. Teela you know for a fact you are lying on here stop saying you voted for Campbell so you want seem racist. You work for Norwood and you a paid staff. Ha Ha Ha look what Teela wrote: I’m leaving to answer phones for Mary in a little while. Ha Ha Ha the true just been told that Norwood have staff on here attacking Reed and his supporters.
Norwood paying Bloggers
November 19th, 2009
12:01 pm
Pontius Pilate was brought in to make Christianity better: Look what Teela a paid staff for Norwood just said about Reed another attack on here: Reed says he was brought in to make Cracker Barrel better.
Thats all they know is Cracker Barrel they must really love to eat at Cracker Barrel.
Wow Galloway are you reading these attacks about Reed,
Teela please answer the phone for Norwood, I know for a fact Teela is a campaign paid staff for Norwood
@MaryTheMisinformer
November 19th, 2009
12:07 pm
Do you think we would really think any information coming out of the current Administration – Watershed would be credible? Seriously? This Administration has been a cluster-f for a few years now. The cover-up will probably lead to some Federal investigation and someone will end up going to jail. A vote for Reed would be a continuation of the three-ringed circus we have now. Most people are well aware and have delt with the inept management of our taxpayer dollars. We really do not need to continue down that road. Vote Mary Norwood for change!
@willi
November 19th, 2009
12:13 pm
don’t ever try to put mary in the same catogory as reed she is married with two step children. reed is single, childless and selfish all these beatiful women in atl and he can’t find one he is selfish and his mother should have a talk with him i see him at some of the events i have been too flirting with women and then buzzing out when he thinks he has their interest leaving them wondering ummh is he interested in me? this is not good mr. reed your proclivites have always been in ? get a wife! longterm girlfriends don’t count they would be seen as BEARDS!
Norwood paying Bloggers (AKAPoliticOracle)
November 19th, 2009
12:13 pm
I’m being paid by Reed to throw a barrage of mis-information out under several different names. Think that makes people want to vote for Reed? I do. So I’ll keep on posting and posting until I berate people into submission. Fear has lead most of the Jackson Political machine to support Reed – I know it will work on common voters too. Drink the Kool-aid; it’s good for you!
Matt
November 19th, 2009
12:18 pm
I can’t wait for December 2. Maybe we’ll return to having actual news/items to talk about.
Norwood paying Bloggers
November 19th, 2009
12:28 pm
Teela at it again this what Norwood paying Bloggers (AKAPoliticOracleyou have to say about me:
Did everyone see the rap video norwood put out as a AD wow Teela I know you shaken your head ..Teela what day do you get paid on with Norwood I might need to apply for a part time job with Norwood.
Terri
November 19th, 2009
12:30 pm
Where will you be on election night
Oh Intown Writer...
November 19th, 2009
12:32 pm
Uh, on no one’s staff, paid or unpaid, not in government, live intown, own a business intown, pay property tax school tax corporate tax payroll / business license tax at City/intown rates.
Done had enough of the Maynard/Franklin/Reed machine.
Votin’ fer Miss Mary~
Terri
November 19th, 2009
12:33 pm
@ Norwood Paying Bloggers LOL at your12:28 post
Norwood paying Bloggers
November 19th, 2009
12:40 pm
Look what Norwood paid staffer written on other blogs against Reed.
Reed Paying Bloggers
November 19th, 2009
12:31 pm
I’m PoliticOracle and I’m being paid by Reed to throw a barrage of mis-information out under several different names. Think that makes people want to vote for Reed?
Wow Norwood staffers are out of control and racist.
Norwood paying Bloggers
November 19th, 2009
12:49 pm
Look what Norwood staffer written on other blogs these are paid staff who working for Norwood.
Galloway has his own deck of race cards
November 19th, 2009
12:27 pm
Galloway tries to chide the audience for using the Cracker Barrel story as a way to simplify the racial aspects of this election, then turns around and tries to simplify the debate by portraying Norwood as pandering to black voters.
PoliticOracle
November 19th, 2009
1:04 pm
You can insist as much as you like that I am a paid Reed commentor, it doesn’t change the fact that i’m not and it doesn’t change the factual information that I dessiminate on these threads. Did you check out my commentary on the Jesse Jackson/Artur Davis story? I’m not who you think I am.
I’m gonna ask this question again, why when people post to these threads against Mary Norwood do all of her supporters accuse them of being staffers. I actually believe the bad grammar posters are being paid by one of the campaigns, I just can’t quite figure out which one. The posters seem to act as if they favor Reed over Norwood, but the bad grammar usage gives rise to the thought that Norwood supporters (paid or unpaid) may be on here to make Reed and his supporters look bad.
Jackalope,
I don’t know where you getting your information, but Norwood isn’t winning this election. She’s actually getting beaten pretty badly, because Reed’s support base are among the historically under-polled and no poll can truly reflect their vote.
BPJ
November 19th, 2009
1:05 pm
Just imagine what Norwood supporters would be saying if Reed had been representing PLAINTIFFS in the Cracker Barrel suit and other cases! Then these same people would be calling him “ambulance chaser” and criticising him for representing black plaintiffs! As a lawyer, I represent plaintiffs more often than not, but I wouldn’t begin to draw assumption about a defense lawyer simply on the basis of who he represents. Often I have seen capable and ethical civil defense lawyers bring their clients to the table to work out a settlement that is better for everyone than litigation.
Obama supporter, Democratic Party supporter
November 19th, 2009
1:16 pm
Kasim Reed worked on behalf of a restaurant, Cracker Barrel who had a policy in the early 90’s of firing workers if THEY WERE GAY. They had an actual policy and fied 11 workers for being gay. Ironic that he is trying to court the gay community and this may send “chills” up and down the spines of gays. There were major demonstrations against Cracker Barrel led by an Atlantan who worked at the time for Coretta King as her personal assistant. As hideous as Cracker Barrel’s discrimination was against blacks, their gay policy was practically unheard of nationally by a company of its size. How could anyone defend a company (who claims is progressive) for a company who crimes were so heinous. Its clear that Reed, who may not be a bad person, clearly is faking his so called progressive credentials and clearly will say and do anything to be mayor. People of good conscious would say even at a young age, no I will not work to defend Cracker Barrel against gays, blacks and people who have been discrinated against regarding wages. I don’t think Reed has the moral character to be Mayor. And all of you on both sides using racial slurs either way should be ashamed of yourselves.