Dominque Wilkins switches to Kasim Reed
My AJC colleague Ernie Suggs sends word that the Human Highlight Film has apparently added flip-flopping to his repertoire of gyrations.
On Thanksgiving evening, during half-time of the Atlanta Hawks – Orlando Magic game, basketball great Dominique Wilkins announced that he was endorsing Kasim Reed for mayor of Atlanta.
That’s fine.
But Wilkins’ endorsement comes less than a month after he recorded a robo-call for Mary Norwood, supporting her for the general election.
“In basketball, you just can’t show up for the game. You have to work very hard every day in practice,” Wilkins said on behalf of Norwood in the 24 second call. “Mary Norwood is someone who has always worked hard for Atlanta and not just on game day. Now it is time for us to help her.”
On Friday, from his hotel room in Philadelphia, where the Hawks are playing the 76ers, Wilkins said that since he recorded the call for Norwood, his political thoughts have changed.
“Mary Norwood is a very nice lady, but Kasim has been a friend of mine for a long time,” said the Hall of Famer, who played more than a decade with the Hawks and who is recognized as the franchise’s greatest player. “He is good people and I think he will make a great leader. He will do a great job of fixing some of the problems we have in Atlanta.”
Wilkins said he was initially unsure of who he was going to support for mayor. He said a friend of his took him to meet Norwood in October and he was impressed. But he said that since that endorsement, and watching the race play out, he decided that Reed was the better choice for him.
“He has the leadership skills that make a great leader,” Wilkins said. “I think he will do a good job in a long line in the good mayors of Atlanta.”
Efforts to reach the Norwood campaign have thus far been unsuccessful. But we’ll add any comments as we get them. Wilkins said he did talk to Norwood before announcing his switch to Reed.
“She understood,” Wilkins said.
It is still unclear who Julius “Dr. J” Erving, who endorsed Lisa Borders in the general election, is supporting in the runoff.
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311 comments Add your comment
David
November 28th, 2009
10:19 am
The last statement that Atlanta is a Black town and needs a black mayor is about the most ignorant statement that I have ever read in my life next only to Jesse Jackson’s ” if you are Black you must you must be for the health care bill statement. Some people need to use their brain before they speak;it would save them from sounding stupid.
You better "Think"
November 28th, 2009
10:37 am
For everyone on this post, you better THINK what you doing and saying, for those who do not “live” in the City, no you can’t vote, but guess what, I would be trying to convience like hell all of my friends, relatives and anybody else to vote for Mary Norwood. Look folks we have had 30 years of black folks and look what kind of mess the City is in. Where are all of the Rev.’s and everybody backing Kasim and where are they when all of the City employees that “they” (Shirley) laid off to give turkeys and dressing to?
Ya’ll (You all) especially those who work in City Hall better be realizing who you are trying to get in City Hall. Go down and ask how they laid people off. Persons with years of service loosing money and their time because they got hauled off into either Old City Council chambers or the Civic Center to give folks their walking papers. And guess what? They were all BLACK Folks!!!!!
What you trying to do, vote Kasim in to finish off Shirley’s work?
Who’s gonna be left to do any work at City Hall? Folks down there already fed up and mad!!!
Fix my water bill Kasim and fix it now! Talk about the issues home and stop all the mud slinging!!!!!
You better "Think"
November 28th, 2009
10:44 am
I can’t take it Kasim=Shirley, Andrew, Maynard, Bill and the list goes on and on and on……
Til you walk a mile in my shoes, go and talk to the folks at City Hall who work in that place every day. Then, come back and post.
Mary Norwood helped more folks than Kasim would ever and this was long before this election.
Would rather have someone who at the very least listened than someone who was not there AT ALL.
You better "Think"
November 28th, 2009
10:46 am
For all of ya’ll posting, look at your water bill….is it correct? A miracle if it is.
drsoul
November 28th, 2009
10:46 am
“I can’t take it”….if Norwood was tied to Campbell, the MACHINE would have endorsed her… the whole entire group of Jackson, Campbell, Franklin is one entity, make no mistake…they are about RACE only, they do not and have never cared about the voter or the city, only what they personally and their family and close friends could accumulate… NORWOOD will end all of that over time and return the finances and money to the voters in REAL services, not her pockets like REED… the MACHINE does not want a ‘clean up’ in Atlanta..they would have to go out and get real jobs…!!! they love living off you..!!! Why would you not want a clean city and better services????
You better "Think"
November 28th, 2009
10:58 am
drsoul…that’s why I voted for Mary Norwood…………………………
And for all of you black folks who vill vote or have voted for Mary Norwood…
MAKE THAT CHANGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Courtney
November 28th, 2009
11:23 am
Kasim Reed: The candidate of the black establishment. Screw the poor people. We can get rich and not care if we are black.
Backing a Twinkie just because you like 'em
November 28th, 2009
11:24 am
You don’t buy Krispy Kreme stock for your financial portfolio and future financial security because you like the way they taste.
Like Kasim, Krispy Kreme has floundered for decades and teeters on bankruptcy because they don’t know how to run a business successfully.
I personally like Dominique a lot, but I wouldn’t vote for ‘Nique or hire him to advance our business. That is not his strength. The same reason that Dominique should think a lot deeper before he wastes his vote on a “buddy”.
The same philosophy goes for all the nucklheads that say stupid things like “Atlanta is a black city, so you must vote for a black mayoral candidate”.
The epitome of ignorance is to cast your vote based on the color of a candidate’s skin.
Atlanta is on the verge of bankruptcy because voters have persisted in voting in corrupt mayors who know how to “TAKE CARE” of THEMSELVES, but not the business of running a large city.
Mary Norwood has a clean, strong record of advancing the citizens of Atlanta.
Kasim Reed has a far less stellar background..
Vote Smart. Don’t vote for a “Twinkie” just because you like chocolate!.
ATLborn
November 28th, 2009
12:06 pm
I see a lot of race baiting on both sides of the fence with Reed and Norwood supporters. I want Reed to win but if Norwood wins she’ll have my full support and I think she’ll do alright as mayor.
Of the last four mayors, of course all of whom were black, Maynard and Andy were the best and are arguably the best 2 mayors this city has ever had. Who can argue against the development that they brought to the city that has made it an international business center. Maynard and Andy did that, not Massell, not even Bill Hartsfield.
Folks that claim it’s not about race from a white perspective really need to check themselves with the “thug” comments directed towards all of the past 4 mayors of this city. That term really can apply only to Bill Campbell (who was a horrible mayor). Given sweetheart deals to themselves and cronies often comes with the territory with politics, not saying its right but it’s a fact. Black pols don’t have a monopoly on this behavior. Check out our state politics…anyone remember Sonny’s sweetheart land deal worth millions that he paid a almost nothing for? Even when that topic was being hotly debated, Sonny never once was referenced as a thug.
And for the black folks on here claiming their ashamed that the black community hasn’t gotten past looking at the race of a candidate, I ask what race have you been watching? It’s true the majority of blacks in this city are lock step in behind Reed, but Norwood pulled in over 25% of the black vote, over 30% in some majority black districts. Norwood is fairing much better amongst black voters than Reed is amongst white voters. Are you black folks spewing venom towards other blacks for voting Reed doing the same towards whites that are overwhelmingly voting Norwood? I think not.
Rick
November 28th, 2009
12:16 pm
Thats why I am voting for Reed because of these nasty comments Norwood put out on here and my understanding that Norwood staff is on here bashing Reed supporters. Norwood campaign is in shamble now she is turning alot of voters away from her an I am going to support Reed.
Rick
November 28th, 2009
12:26 pm
Norwood people are so racist this is disgrace to America, I read so many comments on here, Norwood people are calling Reed thug and ghetto.
I hope Reed win this election send Norwood on her way to the unemployment line. Norwood is using black people for votes.
Conservative White Male
November 28th, 2009
12:32 pm
They all stick together
Rick
November 28th, 2009
12:39 pm
Conservative White Male who are you referring to I am white man I dont like Reed and Norwood but I chose Reed over Norwood. I seen her in person and also I seen her on tv debate she remind me of Sarah Palin very slick. I will vote Reed over Norwood.
MC W
November 28th, 2009
1:12 pm
“Given sweetheart deals to themselves and cronies often comes with the territory with politics, not saying its right but it’s a fact.”
It seems to me as though you’re willing to settle for too little. I mean really. Compare most politicians to Sonny Perdue and they come out on top (I got my dad to switch to Mark Taylor in ‘06, back before I was of voting age); is that all you have?
Oh yeah, Sam Massell helped start MARTA. Little bitty contribution there. I’m well impressed by what Jackson’s team did with Midfield Terminal, but let’s not unfairly malign past white mayors just to prove a point.
Stephanie Ramage
November 28th, 2009
1:20 pm
@Idahere/Stephanie Ramage
Idahere is not me, but sure makes some excellent points, and yes, that phrase does sound familiar, but since it’s from my endorsement of Reed and is posted on his Web site there is the distinct possibility that it simply rang true with someone and he or she remembered it. If that’s the case, Idahere, thank you for reading it.
While I’m here, I’d like to point out a couple of great ideas that Kasim Reed has:
1–Posting the budget in exactly the same way that the state Senate does during budget deliberations. Under the Gold Dome, when a legislator suggests funding for a project or program, he or she has to show on the budget board where that money would come from.
2–Installing a legislation-tracking search engine such as the General Assembly has. For journalists like me, and citizens, this is an invaluable tool. Reed’s legislative record is easily traced. Simply visit the General Assembly Web site, choose “legislation” under the “Senate” side and then use the legislator’s name as the search item.
I think Mary Norwood is basically a good person and if you feel she’s the right person for the job then by all means exercise your democratic right to vote, but I am curious as to why Norwood, who promotes herself as being in favor of transparency, has never in her eight years on council suggested such a search engine for City Council legislation. It would have helped not only reporters, but also voters who just want to know more about the candidates.
PoliticOracle
November 28th, 2009
1:43 pm
@Jackalope
You’re hilarious, now I’m Reed and his brother? Did you not read where I said last night that I would support Norwood if she’s elected. I’m not all in with any candidate, I’ve casted my vote for who I believe is the best candidate. It’s very unwise to get emotional in elections because it gives rise to pessimism which will get us nowhere.
I believe Reed’s team knows how to get this job done and he knows what it takes to lead.
Bottom Line
November 28th, 2009
1:59 pm
Reed’s team = Jackson Machine= Same old graft & corruption
Reed knows what it takes to lead.= different name same game plan as Shirley
I can't take it
November 28th, 2009
2:17 pm
@drsoul – you really want to debate truth. you are not working on a full tank. I gave you facts. Campbell top administrators are working on Norwood’s campaign. Zee Bradford is the spokesperson for Mary Norwood. She was the communications director for Bill Campbell. If you want to tie anyone to Bill Campbell–than it has to be Mary Norwood. She’s the one that has the most corrupt mayoral administration staffers working for her campaign. I can’t believe you want to continue spewing untruths and innuendo. Stop debating me and look it up for yourself. Unless, you are illiterate
Sammy
November 28th, 2009
2:25 pm
I can’t take it 2:17 pm
Are you saying the Jackson Machine is sabotaging the Norwood election?. I hadn’t looked at it that way but I think you are correct.
What Machine?
November 28th, 2009
2:34 pm
If there was a powerful political machine in Atlanta, how is it that a political outsider with no meaningful legislation in her entire 8 years on city council is faring so well against an experienced progressive candidate with a solid legislative record?
Huh? Facts?!
November 28th, 2009
2:36 pm
Zee Bradford is the spokesperson for Mary Norwood. She was the communications director for Bill Campbell.
Rick
November 28th, 2009
2:48 pm
Jim Galloway why have you put my comment posted on the blogg I see that someone is deleting people comment on here and Norwood supporters are calling Reed thug and ghetto have not been deleted.
drsoul makes mincemeat of I can't take it
November 28th, 2009
3:29 pm
As drsoul said, if Norwood was a part of the Jackson, Campbell, Franklin machine they would have endorsed Norwood, NOT Reed.
Game, set, match to drsoul
Sammy
November 28th, 2009
3:39 pm
What Machine? 2:34 pm
Sorry candidate, sorry machine.. they have kept the money in the family & friends not given any away to the little guy.
Worst case scenario
November 28th, 2009
3:43 pm
What if you were considering two candidates to hire, one with a so called tremendous record of accomplishment and one with a good record of accomplishment.
During the interview, the one with the tremendous record of accomplishment takes a pen off your desk. You ask him if he took the pen and he says no. You tell him it’s no big deal, they are courtesy pens for customers and he still says no. You show him a videotape of him in the room by himself, with the pen on the table and then five seconds later the pen is gone and he still denies taking it.
Even if he has the so called tremendous record, would you hire this guy? Substitute a pen for a campaign sign and you have Kasim Reed.
You want to say the sign is no big deal, fine. It’s some paper on a stick. Happy? But the denial IS a big deal. It points to a character flaw. Any parent can recognize this; it’s like the three year old is gets caught with his hands in the cookie jar and continues to lie, continues to lie, continues to lie, thinking if he sticks to the lie long enough he can just lie his way out of it.
Worst case scenario, I trust someone, who as an outsider, might not have been able to get as much done, to do the right things once they are given some power, than I trust someone who appears to have a major character flaw given even more power to abuse.
Lonny
November 28th, 2009
4:06 pm
Ha! Ha! What a laugh! Stumpy changes his mind! I call him “Stumpy” because he’s dumb as a stump – just go research how he handled his personal finances back in the 80’s when he was playing! He didn’t even know how many cars he owned and who had them – his Mama pretty much handled his business affairs, as I remember. So, Stumpy changed his mind! What a story! Thanks for the laugh.
IdaHere another Kasim Reed
November 28th, 2009
4:13 pm
If you can define a candidate by his supporters, IdaHere is the quintessential example.
Just like Reed, when IdaHere was caught in a lie, lifting word for word Stephanie Ramage’s words and claiming it as IdaHere’s own, IdaHere didn’t just change the subject, like anyone else caught in a lie might want to do. Nor did IdaHere own up to it, like you might hope one would do.
No, IdaHere stuck to the lie, stuck to the lie, stuck to the lie, stuck to the lie claiming to have never seen Stephanie Ramage’s words.
It’s a major character flaw, not unlike the stick to the lie, stick to the lie, stick to the lie Kasim has tried to pass off when his campaign was caught stealing signs.
Don’t be fooled with all this talk about accomplishment and endorsements. Of course an insider is going to get more endorsements from the inside than an outsider will.
It’s about character, and whether or not Atlanta can afford to take a chance, not only on an insider, but an insider who very well may have a major character flaw.
We’ve seen what happens when we give the job of mayor to someone with a major character flaw. No need to make the same mistake twice.
The endorsement that doesn't endorse
November 28th, 2009
4:31 pm
Not seeing any of the Reed camp is on here pushing the Dominique Wilkins’ endorsement.
Pretty much an admission that when Wilkins inadvertently tied Reed to Campbell that the whole thing blew up in their face.
@I can't take it
November 28th, 2009
4:36 pm
@I can’t take it… Since you’re so caught up in who’s on Norwood’s team, you should also know who is working for Reed. He has FAR MORE ties to the Campbell campaign, beginning with Kevin Ross– Campbell’s campaign manager and one of Reed’s top strategists. You should also know that Dan Halpern and Eugene Duffy– chief fundraisers for Campbell– are also running the Reed effort from top to bottom. The list of Campbell administration folks (those who aren’t in jail) working for Reed is deep and vast.
I can't take it gets taken to the cleaners again!
November 28th, 2009
4:43 pm
Wow I can’t take it, how much more embarrassment can you take?
Trying to tie Norwood to the machine might have been the lamest attempt by the Reed team yet. Mary Norwood as the machine candidate? Are you kidding? And people talk about the Norwood team being amateur night?
Give us the real scoop I can't take it!
November 28th, 2009
4:49 pm
I’m just waiting for the announcement from I can’t take it that Bill Campbell is hidden in a bunker somewhere in northside Atlanta, secretly running the entire Norwood campaign LOL
Big Scoop
November 28th, 2009
5:10 pm
I just heard that Bill Campbell was caught stealing Kasim Reed signs and giving them to Mary Norwood in exchange for a position in the Norwood administration. Bunny Jackson was driving the getaway car.
I can’t take it and IdaHere have the video.
Reed camp admits to being MACHINE candidate
November 28th, 2009
5:16 pm
State Rep. Rashad Taylor, Reed’s deputy campaign manager just admitting to the following in the AJC.
“They put Maynard [Jackson] in office and they’ll put Kasim in office,” said Taylor, who’s leading Reed’s get out the vote effort. “All of those neighborhoods will be the deciding factor.”
Reed is the MACHINE candidate. Out of their own mouths.
No surprise
November 28th, 2009
5:37 pm
Apparently “somebody” reminded Nique of his obligations as a black man.
Jeez, I am so glad I don’t live in Atlanta. I may need to find a way to avoid visiting.
oh boy
November 28th, 2009
6:50 pm
In a nutshell you can’t trust endorsements b/c they only mean “quid pro quo” S.Rampage needs to stop drinking the koolaide of Kasim R. I have met him, jesse spikes and mary. The longer this campagin goes on the more I am seeing reed 4 who he really is. he is an eltitest that will not serve the needs of the poor he does not have a clue in relating to people that are not monied or in his stratus FEAR of thugs and goons he is not clean at all he is only 4 those that have something that will benefit him he is arrogant, selfish and aloof totallly void of any emotion i don’t want some one like that in the mayors office he has no sense of balance in his personal life and yes he will do anything to get elected he is a strait up politician he doesnt care about anyone but himself and his lofty goals of higher public office i have looked the man straight in the eye…scary. what did his mama teach him? he probably wasn’t listening, anyway!!! Jesse…good guy but not enuff charisma, whatever. Mary is not a career politician she is just a women who wants to serve her city there is a lot at stake here she will blow the lid off the corruption in ATL and people are scared of that. I am a black women I love atl and my black folks but we gotta do better i no there have been white mayors that were crooked and corrupt and they have had their day in court now 4 black folks over 30 years of black leadership our day in court is the RUN-OFF God bless Mary and Kasim
Tyrone M
November 28th, 2009
7:23 pm
It’s good to see the African-American community coming together to endorse the best candidate, Kasim Reed! Atlanta is a black city and needs an African0American mayor to protect our interests! I’m tired of the white people in this city keeping the African-American population down!
DOTTIE
November 28th, 2009
8:12 pm
Hi Lisa, since you have decided to support Mr Reed,have you changed your mind about who you think was responsible for the burglary/breakin of your condo and your house…you have to be careful on your thoughts and implications…I got it taped………..
sarah
November 28th, 2009
9:34 pm
I will not be surprised at the results of the election…if the people put LAMAR WILLIS back in office,even after the information given on his wrong doings is all but an indictment,then they will vote for anybody and anything…it is a sad commemtator of PEOPLE in the south….let’s watch for LAMAR’S INDICTMENT…………..
Raquel Morris
November 28th, 2009
9:45 pm
@Dottie-
If you have the video, post it on youtube or somewhere. People need to know exactly what kind of person they get with Kasim and his violent goons.
IdaHere
November 28th, 2009
10:44 pm
It is interesting to note that when Norwood supporters cannot convince others that they are the truth-tellers and cannot convince others that their interpretation of events is the real deal, they go bonkers! Very much like their candidate, huh? SORRY FOLKS, CAN”T BE BOUGHT; NOR BOSSED; NOR FOOLED! WE HAVE COME TOO FAR FROM WHERE WE STARTED FROM!
I am proud to be a supporter of Kasim Reed whom I have known most of his life. Much better and much longer than those who are just grappling for straws because he has run a top-notch campaign, got the most endorsements and have an impeccable RECORD OF SUPPORTING ATLANTA DURING HIS 11 YEARS AS AN ELECTED STATE REPRESENTATIVE AND STATE SENATOR!
As a Mayor, the important factors to observe is the track record of the candidate? When you examine the record of achievements for the City of Atlanta, it is clear, very clear, that Reed has delivered and Mary Norwood has not. All of these other side issues are opinions and a lot of hogwash designed to distract from the real issues and thin record of Norwood. EXAMINE THE RECORDS!!!! WHO HAS DELIVERED? WHO WILL DELIVER?
I am proud that Kasim Reed is self-confident, brilliant, articulate, and an early achiever, recognized as a leader by his colleagues, Leadership Atlanta, Leadership Georgia, and his constituents who are well-pleased with his representation of them. All of this, and humble and approachable! Reed will make Atlanta proud in any arena!
Glad to be an eye-witness to Reed’s growth and progress over the years. Keep your head held high and stay focused on the needs of our great city, and your ability and readiness to deliver!
May God continue to shine upon Kasim Reed as he moves forward as the 59th Mayor of Atlanta!
anonymous
November 28th, 2009
10:46 pm
Both of these candidates do not care about you people! Your vote will never count anyways. The whole election is rigged by Corporate thugs! Atlanta is run by rich criminals who are looking for a new puppet to serve them!
IdaHere you've already been exposed
November 28th, 2009
10:50 pm
IdaHere you’ve already been busted on here once, lifting Stephanie Ramage’s words word for word and claiming them as your own.
Then not unlike your candidate Kasim Reed, you stick to your lie, stick to your lie, stick to your lie, and claim you never saw Ramage’s column before you posted.
First Mitzi Bickers. Then Kasim Reed. Now IdaHere. Does everybody in the Reed camp think they can just blatantly lie, and the voters aren’t going to see right through it.
IdaHere
November 29th, 2009
1:50 am
Hey folks read Stephanie Ramage’s article, “Why Kasim Reed Should Be The Next Mayor of Atlanta”, and her comments on this blog! Great going and good journalism! I wholeheartly agree with the following salient points she makes about our candidate of choice:
While I’m here, I’d like to point out a couple of great ideas that Kasim Reed has:
1–Posting the budget in exactly the same way that the state Senate does during budget deliberations. Under the Gold Dome, when a legislator suggests funding for a project or program, he or she has to show on the budget board where that money would come from.
2–Installing a legislation-tracking search engine such as the General Assembly has. For journalists like me, and citizens, this is an invaluable tool. Reed’s legislative record is easily traced. Simply visit the General Assembly Web site, choose “legislation” under the “Senate” side and then use the legislator’s name as the search item.
I think Mary Norwood is basically a good person and if you feel she’s the right person for the job then by all means exercise your democratic right to vote, but I am curious as to why Norwood, who promotes herself as being in favor of transparency, has never in her eight years on council suggested such a search engine for City Council legislation. It would have helped not only reporters, but also voters who just want to know more about the candidates.
All I can say Stephanie is “Speak the Truth.” What we need for a city “too busy to hate.” is results; not excuses! Delivering services on behalf of the people; not political gimmicks and political games.
People, search the Records for in them you will find which candidate has Atlanta’s best interest in mind! You will find which candidate delivered for Atlanta as an elected public servant. Which candidate has a plan to take Atlanta to the next level as a great international city!
Great minds discuss ideas and issues, records of accomplishments and projections. Small minds discuss trivia and distractions.
On December 1st change will come to Atlanta when Kasim Reed is elected the 59th Mayor of our great city!
IdaHere thank you for posting
November 29th, 2009
2:39 am
IdaHere thank you for posting and letting us know that one of Kasim Reed’s biggest fans is a documented liar
You lifted your words straight from a Ramage column, then just like Kasim Reed, you stuck to the lie, stuck to the lie, stuck to the lie, that the words were your own, until Ramage herself had to come on here and expose you.
Then, even after Stephanie Ramage exposed you for a documented liar, you keep coming on here and posting as if nothing happened.
It really doesn’t matter how showy your words are, if you’ve been exposed as a documented liar who pathologically sticks to the lie, even after being exposed.
Just like it doesn’t matter what a candidate’s record of accomplishment is, if it pales in comparison to a major character flaw. Bill Campbell had a record of accomplishment as well. You do remember who Bill Campbell is, or have you purged that from your memory like your documented lie?
Jamesbrennandoyle
November 29th, 2009
2:45 am
I live in Vine City…I would hardly call Vine City an “intown neighborhood.” Yes Vine City is close to downtown actually the closest neighborhood to downtown but there is nothing “in town” about it. Hip Intown neighborhoods get a much higher standard of city services the “other neighborhoods.” Atlanta is not just Midtown Downtown Buckhead, Morningside, Vahi, Grant Park, East Atlanta. There are at least 124 other neighborhoods. Mary Norwood actually understands that. I want a Mayor that is willing to come to me when I have a problem. Vine City could not have recovered as quickly as it did after tornado 2008 if it were not for the help of Mary Norwood. MARY NORWOOD FOR ALL THE NEIGHBORHOODS OF ATLANTA!!
UGA FAN
November 29th, 2009
4:26 am
More PLAYiNG and less PRAYING
“Chief Pennington Where Are You?”
November 29th, 2009
4:37 am
4 more years.. Vote Reed..
Sophie
November 29th, 2009
4:59 am
Emotions are high in this race because the stakes are high..out hard earned dollars. Mary Norwood has no political aspirations to go to Washington. This Mayor position isn’t a dress rehersal for something ‘bigger” and better. Kasim is a showman, slick corporate lawyer. Look closely at his ‘track’ record on behalf of Atlanta. Interesting how he is now saying he wants city hall to be transparent, will post online for citizens to see, how convenient. Always look at what is done right before qualifying for running for office.
1)What he did was get legislation through which allowed TADS (tax allocation districts) to be in the center of Buckhead rather than for their intended purposes of underdeveloped and blighted areas. He allowed big development to benefit with tax abatements in productive areas and didn’t do a thing to help underserved and blighted areas.
2) Says he only supported tax increases when it was on a voter referendum. Wake up Atlanta …………… that has been Shirley’s and Reed’s MO. Move it to a referendum, confusing verbage like moving public school funds over to development with TADS, take the accountability off the back of the politicans to make the decision … the ones YOU ELECTED to make the deicsions … and then says that he only supported something the voters supported!!!! WAKE UP ATLANTA …… those referendums are scams cause the politicans know that voters don’t study ths issues. They are lambs being led to slaughter. He also tried to get the bar hour issue put on a voter referendum at the slippery slick 12th hour move by Kathy Ashe, Shirley, et al. They got found out by us dumb ass citizens and put a stop to it!!!! Would have let the politicans elected to make decisions off the hook and allowed the alcohol lobobyists to pack the ballot box in an off cycle election. Clever wasn’t it?
3) Parks Authority – he tried to get that one through too but was found out by the dumb ass citizens! Let a group of appointed insiders take over Piedmont Park, Freedom park, chastain Park as to the use, development and sale of public lands? The citizens would have NO CONTROL as the elected politicans would have washed their hands of the future of our citizen owned land. Piedmont Park would have a 30 story tower under construction by now if that had happened.
Heck NO. He is all about his following for Washington. Look at his campagin contributions folks……..go to Common Cause.com and take a look. Norwood has citizens of Atlanta contributing 5, 10, 20, 50 dollars from all parts of the city. That shows investment in her candidacy from the citizens, the voters. Reed has big buck sports stars, developers, outsiders, and not much from the citizens. ALWAYS FOLLOW THE MONEY, ALWAYS FOLLOW THE MONEY!!
Mary will win this thing on Tuesday because citizens, the police, the firefighters, city workers are all fed up with years of neglect. Mary will expose it all. People are ready to talk. People are ready to show where the bones are buried at 55 Trinity Avenue. Just you watch the exodus of folks who will resign in the next couple months on their own vs. being exposed for the waste and corruption. Just you wait.
Mary will build a great team to work with her, and not against her. No G2s to sabatoge her administration from moving things forward. It won’t happen overnight, but rest assured, it will happen!
The recent polls show Mary gaining momentum the more Reed attacks. His latest, that Mary is race baiting. How laughable and desperate!.. Mary’s latest ad is right on point. Her misson is unity, not a divided city. She has been an activist for 20+ years on unity. She is color blind to the ills of our city. From Buckhead to Bankhead, Mechanicsville to Ansley Park, she knows every neighborhood and their respective issues. She has worn out some shoe leather meeting all of us and listening over the years.
Where has Reed been? Outside the city in an area where he could get elected to state senate office. He tried to annex his own district into the city for tax revenue for Shirley AND for his residency requirement to run for this office. Both failed. So he had to move into the city just in time to qualify for the election. What does he know about each and every neighborhood. Just shows up for the election. He is AWOL to the citizens of Atlanta and will be AWOL if he should get elected Mayor. He’ll spend more time in Washington than he will meeting residents of Mechanisville.
Don’t be used and don’t be fooled by this guy Atlanta! We can’t afford Reed, literally. As for Stephanie Ramgage’s love for Reed? Go figure? NORWOOD for MAYOR ON DECEMBER 1 !!!!!!!
Pinball34
November 29th, 2009
5:32 am
SHAME ON YOU, NIQUE.
Sophie's post is the best yet
November 29th, 2009
6:12 am
You couldn’t ask for a better post to totally deconstruct the facade that is Kasim Reed and lay it all bare for the voters to see.
Reed sycophants want you to look at the record. Well Sophie granted your wish, and in the process destroyed any and all credibility of anybody who claims Reed wants to do what’s best for Atlanta.
Kasim Reed wants to do what’s best for Kasim Reed. And that’s well and good, but the last thing we need is to subsidize the Kasim Reed personal ambition tour.