A final tiff between Shirley Franklin and Mary Norwood
Mayor Shirley Franklin isn’t going quietly.
On Sunday, in a closing statement that finished the last televised debate, Mary Norwood sought to polish her credentials as a City Hall outsider:
“Many of y’all remember that, when I first got on City Council, there was a proposal to take your water bills to $360 a month [including] seniors on fixed incomes. I would not go along with that.
“I was the vote they didn’t expect, that I would stand firm with you and not let you be bankrupted. Yes, the administration went to the state of Georgia, but after I refused to give in. I’ve stood tall with you.”
Franklin has challenged Norwood before. But not on City Hall (albeit) digital stationery. The following was posted on the mayor’s official Web site hours after the debate:
In fact, no such rate increases were ever contemplated by the Franklin administration or the City’s Department of Watershed Management. The current monthly water and sewer bill for an average residential customer is approximately $120.
“Once again, exaggeration reigns in the political race for mayor,” said Mayor Shirley Franklin. “Councilmember Norwood repeatedly ignores public documents to misstate facts. Atlanta deserves a mayor who tells the truth all the time.”
The statement also quotes Watershed Commission Rob Hunter, who earlier this month took on Norwood over her contention that the city had purchased 150,000 ill-fitting lids for water meters.
There was never any proposal to raise the average monthly water bill to $360, Hunter is quoted as saying, so no one could have stood up against it.
The nuts and bolts, as offered by the mayor’s office:
In 2003, the Franklin administration proposed a five-year series of rate increases to fund improvements in the wastewater and drinking water systems. The City Council passed a package of significantly lower rates. Mayor Franklin vetoed that legislation and informed the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that the City would be forced to default on its federal consent decrees. Bond rating agencies downgraded the City’s water and sewer fund bond rating.
Rate negotiations between the Administration and City Council in December 2003 resulted in a rate package substantially equivalent to the Administration’s original proposal. The Municipal Option Sales Tax (MOST) was authorized by the General Assembly and approved by public referendum in 2004. The sales tax revenue was used to offset rate increases, resulting in the 30 percent lower bills.
The paragraphs above lead to a mention of the fellow that Franklin voted for on Nov. 3:
State Senator Kasim Reed was the sponsor of the MOST sales tax legislation in the General Assembly.
Here’s a snippet from an AJC article from July 2004, just before the sales tax legislation was put before city voters:
Sewage rates rose 45 percent for some at the beginning of this year. They are expected to jump again next year. But Mayor Shirley Franklin wrote in a June 24 letter to the citizens’ advisory board that if the sales tax passes, the rate increase for next year will be reduced from 43 percent to about 13 percent.
On Monday afternoon, Roman Levit, the Norwood campaign manager, conceded that his candidate was citing an example and not a statistic. “She remembers somebody showing her a water bill during the time period for that debate, and that’s what stuck in her mind as an example of a real person being hurt by this six years ago,” he said in one e-mail.
In another, Levit said:
In 2003 Kasim Reed’s strongest supporter proposed a water rate increase that would have tripled a [note the singular article] monthly water bill of $120, and turned it into $360.
Mary Norwood knows perfectly well that Atlantans pay too much for water and sewer services already and she was there fighting the fight to keep water rates as low as possible.
The Watershed Department has a long record of getting numbers wrong for ratepayers all over Atlanta, perhaps if Rob Hunter and his bosses at City Hall spent more time focusing on getting billing right, instead of spending taxpayer money to help their favorite son’s campaign, people all over Atlanta wouldn’t be suing the city after falling through water meter covers that don’t fit and paying bills that are calculated incorrectly.
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101 comments Add your comment
Mary
November 30th, 2009
4:39 pm
Norwood has been completely ineffective in her 8 years in the City Counsel.
VHighlands
November 30th, 2009
4:41 pm
There are many things Ms. Franklin could have done a lot better, but to think a dimwit like Mary Norwood can do a better job is crazy. I, personally, don’t feel like hearing more excuses about why Mrs. Norwood couldn’t get her job done in four years.
MC W
November 30th, 2009
4:42 pm
Oh Shirley…
Why not just retire in peace and let the people decide what they want?
Silent Majority
November 30th, 2009
4:43 pm
Throughout this campaign, Mary Norwood has made accusations without being able to back them up. Her record shows that she’s been wrong on all the big issues. Kasim Reed for Mayor!
Cole Ben
November 30th, 2009
4:45 pm
Can we really trust a candidate who claims she can’t remember if she voted for George W. Bush and Ronald Reagan? Can we trust a candidate who has been in the City Council for eight years, yet refuses to take any responsibility for the state of the City? Norwood isn’t change…she’s the same old incompetence.
Concerned Citizen
November 30th, 2009
4:47 pm
No fair-minded individual will vote for Mary Norwood tomorrow. Kasim Reed will be our new mayor. Congratulations in advance, Kasim!
Sammy
November 30th, 2009
4:50 pm
I’m no Franklin fan, but some of the accusations made by Norwood have been very irresponsible. I know it’s election season, but her hyperbole has gone too far and suggests illegal activity. Unless Norwood is prepared to make specific charges, she needs to back off.
Natalie
November 30th, 2009
4:52 pm
Neither one of them is perfect but the lesser of the two evils is Norwood without a doubt. The political machine that ran through money like a sailor on shore leave needs to be kicked out and held accountable.
Ms. Franklin’s total abdication of responsibility in her second term leaves her in no position to speak for or against any candidate. She should follow the example she has set for most of this term; say nothing and do nothing.
Ms. Peach
November 30th, 2009
4:52 pm
Mary Norwood has disappointed me throughout this campaign.
Davis
November 30th, 2009
4:52 pm
From some of these comments you would think that Reed is “THE ONE, #2″, the smartest, brightest, most eloquent, most chosen, most innovative, yeh right!, vote for Reed and get Jackson, Campbell and Franklin #2!, their shadows will cover the walls of the mayor’s office…..
ksiujgth
November 30th, 2009
4:54 pm
reed should be embarrassed to be endorsed by a person whose mess he claims he will have to clean up if elected mayor
OMG
November 30th, 2009
4:55 pm
Surprise, Surprise…Mary Norwood is lying again to get votes. What’s new?
ksiujgth
November 30th, 2009
4:55 pm
the fix is in. atlanta will have another ineffective mayor
Phil
November 30th, 2009
4:56 pm
Does anybody really care what Shirley thinks anymore?
Robert
November 30th, 2009
5:01 pm
The next time I receive competent service from the City of Atlanta under Mayor Shirley Franklin will be the first time.
Michael
November 30th, 2009
5:01 pm
Wow, Mayor Franklin’s aggressiveness shows her fear. She is scared to death about this election. Scared to death. The possibility of (gasp!) the Maynard Machine being dismantled with the election of Norwood will be a blow to the entire Maynard Machine – which includes Franklin, Borders, Young, Campbell, Reed, etc.
With Norwood, they will loose the airport. Without control the airport, Shirley, Kasim, and an entire class of people that has relied on the airport for a source of money, corruption, and backroom deals for 35 years will be crippled.
Does Franklin, and Borders for that matter, not realize that they are only helping Norwood with these types of statements? If Franklin was smart, she would stay out of this. Her comments only underscore her support for continued corruption, and the intense fear she has of a Norwood victory. This is only making things worse for Reed.
Cutty
November 30th, 2009
5:02 pm
Please. Norwood voted in 2008 to increase the city’s water and sewer rates. Her campaign manager must’ve forgotten this.
Her vote to increase employee pensions was fighting for city residents too then by Leavitt’s logic.
Rick
November 30th, 2009
5:03 pm
Norwood is done…..Reed is going to win the mayor election,
Norwood campaign has been shamble from day one. Reed rose from 9% to 46% in the poll Norwood have not rose since the last election.
Reed for mayor
Bert
November 30th, 2009
5:04 pm
When you’re a white, low achiever, with no record of accomplished; you are a perfect candidate for mayor of Atlanta. Mary Norwood’s campaign is straight out of the Karl Rove playbook: Facts don’t matter. Make stuff up, repeat it over and over. When you are challenged, say it louder.
In about 24 hours, we won’t have to listen to that whinny-ass “miss Ann” voice anymore.
Rick
November 30th, 2009
5:06 pm
Norwood is the politic machine look who working for Norwood camp.
Zee Bradford who was Bill Campbell chief advisor. I wondering why Bill have not endorse anyone because of Zee Bradford working for Norwood.
Steve
November 30th, 2009
5:07 pm
Levit needs to be running instead of Norwood. How come he always comments and responds instead of Norwood? Are they scared about what might come out of her mouth?
$11,000 Water Bill
November 30th, 2009
5:12 pm
Got my water bill last month for the 8 unit condominium building that I run… $11,000 (more than 3x what we spend for a whole year!). Called the city.. the told us “you just need to go ahead and pay that, and we’ll look into it later”. BULLSH1T. Eventually we were able to convince the city to come out to recheck the meter. Surprise surprise… the water bill was adjusted down to $270. Not that this is anything new, it’s just new that someone (Mary Norwood) actually wants to do something about it!!!
atlantasfuture
November 30th, 2009
5:16 pm
WATCH OUT SHIRLEY….. YOUR LETTERS AND STATEMENTS ABOUT SURPLUS BUDGET MAY COME BACK TO HURT YOU.
MARY NORWOOD will not ignore our need for SERVICES. She will FIX OUR CITY.
GO HOME SHIRLEY…. THE GAME IS OVER
Jim
November 30th, 2009
5:18 pm
Right now I am sooooo glad I don’t live in ATL. No matter who wins, y’all are screwed. You’ll either have 4 years of the same nonsense, or 4 years of bumbling ineptitude.
Maybe Sam Massell will volunteer to be a write in candidate?
Rick
November 30th, 2009
5:24 pm
Why did Norwood run against Shirley Franklin 4 yrs ago..
Norwood talking crapt about Shirley you should have run against her if you knew this city was in bad shape 4 yrs ago.
Reed going to win this election…
10 of my elderly neighbors ask me to take them to the polls tomorrow to vote for Reed I told them to be ready at 8 am in the morning so I can take them.
People are excited to come out and vote for Reed tomorrow
John
November 30th, 2009
5:25 pm
Dennis Kucinich and Ray Nagans look good compared to these two.
I dread voting tommorrow.
MC W
November 30th, 2009
5:27 pm
^John: I’m not the most thrilled with this arrangement, either, to be truthful. If it were Mary and Jesse Spikes the latter would instantly have my vote; sadly, even I was fooled earlier on by his lack of populist appeal.
However, I still hold firmly among my beliefs that, when presented with two choices, one must be decisive and pick one.
Jackalope
November 30th, 2009
5:29 pm
DEAR KASIM BLOGGERS. THE RACE IS OVER.
WALK OVER TO YOUR WAR ROOM AND ASK KASIM TO SHOW YOU THE RESULTS OF THE POLL HE DID LAST WEEK.
Intown lib
November 30th, 2009
5:29 pm
Shirley Franklin spent the last 8 years undoing or trying to undo damage from Bill Campbell and trying to do the other things that needed to be done since the days of Hartsfield and Allen. Folks equating Shirley to some giant corrupt black political machine are uninformed … at best.
atlantasfuture
November 30th, 2009
5:32 pm
Kasim, take a look in the mirror and realize that your arrogant attitude is losing you votes all over the city.
MC W
November 30th, 2009
5:33 pm
^Yes, she did a good job starting out, especially once it is considered that she entered the mayor’s office after eight years of its continual torment. What happened, though? Between the APD and Watershed I can’t find a properly-managed city agency…
TC
November 30th, 2009
5:37 pm
Mary and Kasim are both awful choices for Mayor. No solid alternatives in this race; wait, that sounds a lot like the past two or three presidential elections!
Atlanta Voter
November 30th, 2009
5:41 pm
Wow, I see Kasim Reed has been busy posting a ton of comments today on the Insider. Kasim, how many different names are you on this one article? Shirley Franklin is an embarassment to the lesbian community and has disgraced Atlanta long enough. It is time for a change and Kasim is not the answer. Kasim is a very corrupt, non-christian that needs to be in prison and not in charge of Atlanta. Shirley Franklin is corrupt, as well.
Doug
November 30th, 2009
5:41 pm
Poor, pathetic Shirley Franklin. He PR bubble finally burst and she is left with nothing but the reality that she has not improved Atlanta in any manner that a Federal Court did not order in the first place.
Rick
November 30th, 2009
5:42 pm
Jackalope=Ramon Levit which is Norwood campaign manager of course you would lie right along with Norwood for her to our votes. But look Ramon your candidate have been caught lieing do out the campaign.
Ramon please find somebody else to campaign for Norwood was a bad choice for you.
Paul R. Nelson
November 30th, 2009
5:47 pm
Rick, don’t you have some more Mary Norwood signs to steal. I have never seen such a crooked campaign than the one that Reed is running.
Rick
November 30th, 2009
5:48 pm
Atlanta Voter how you going to compare Reed with Shirley Franklin he work for the state not the city hall. You need to get fact for Norwood what have she done in 8 yrs while she was in city hall nothing.
Norwood should have run for mayor 4 yrs ago if she knew Shirley was a awful mayor.
Norwood is just like Shirley Franklin a insider.
Paul R. Nelson
November 30th, 2009
5:48 pm
Shirley Franklin = Epic fail as Atlanta mayor. Shirley, take your flower and GTFO. You made Atlanta a worse place to live which I didn’t think was possible.
Jackalope
November 30th, 2009
5:50 pm
It’s REALLY simple…
Go.
Ask.
Kasim.
To.
Show.
You.
The.
Results.
Of.
The.
Poll.
He.
Did.
Last.
Week.
He did a poll. He didn’t release the numbers. What’s that tell you?
DON’T TAKE MY WORD FOR IT – GO ASK KASIM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Bob
November 30th, 2009
5:50 pm
Norwood does not do much for me but So far hasn’t shown herself to be a tax cheat like Reed. How does someone that pays taxes vote for a tax cheat?
Rick
November 30th, 2009
5:51 pm
Paul R. Nelson I am not Ralph Long which who paid someone to steal them signs that why you have not heard about it anymore. Norwood and Ralph paid somebody to steal signs by the way Paul sign does not come out to vote people’s do what does a sign have do for somebody to get elected.
Wow Paul come up with something better then that>>>>>>>>Jackalope or Teela who is working for Norwood
Mark
November 30th, 2009
5:51 pm
I could careless about anything Franklin has to say. Is this the same person that did not have the balls to FIRE the INCOMPETANT
Paul R. Nelson
November 30th, 2009
5:51 pm
Rick, did you graduate high school? Your writing skills are horrible. You and Kasim deserve each other.
Rick
November 30th, 2009
5:52 pm
Bob ask Norwood to show her tax return then you figure it out.
Where is Norwood tax returns paper every politicians release there’s tax returns
Confused with Norwood Supporters
November 30th, 2009
5:53 pm
I’m not sure why the die hard norwood supporters are in such denial.
Kasim's my dogz
November 30th, 2009
5:54 pm
I’z beez votes fo’ Kasim Reed. He’s been my dogz sense we wuz yung bucks. Don’t votes fo’ that Mary gurl, we needs to keeps the chocalate runnin’ da Atown. Can yo feels me! Hola and Votes fo’ da man, Reed!
A-Town Down
November 30th, 2009
5:57 pm
Once we went black, ain’t never goin’ back…
A. Foster
November 30th, 2009
5:58 pm
No matter who the next mayor is, Rob Hunter Commissioner of Waterdhed should be the first one packing.
Mike
November 30th, 2009
5:59 pm
From today’s APN article:
NORWOOD LEGISLATION
Here is a list of some of Norwood’s recent legislation. A few bills which were obscure or technical were omitted from this list.
Norwood’s most recent resolution was 09R1077, which passed June 01, 2009, resolving that the Bureau of Code Compliance enforce the Atlanta Zoning Ordinance regarding supportive housing. Recently, a bill to define and clarify supportive housing had been introduced, and this bill made sure that the BCC could enforce codes related to what would be a newly-defined type of housing. Norwood was the first of several co-sponsors and the bill passed 14-1.
On May 04, 2009, 08O2427, which authorized the Mayor to establish a Senior Zone Policy, passed 14-0. Norwood sponsored the original legislation, which was substituted by marked-up, or revised legislation which came through the Transportation Committee.
On September 02, 2008, 08R1695, to conduct an independent audit of the Arborist Division, passed 14-0. Norwood was the lead co-sponsor. Norwood led the charge for this audit after former Chief Arborist Tom Coffin was fired for trying to uphold the city’s tree ordinance.
On July 07, 2008, 07O1905, to amend article XXIV regarding vending on private property, passed 14-0. Norwood sponsored this bill, although an amended substitute by the Public Safety and Legal Administration Committee passed through Council.
On June 02, 2008, 08R1132, to request the Mayor study eliminating Fleet Services to reduce costs, passed 14-0. Norwood sponsored this bill; it passed with an amendment by the Finance/Executive Committee.
On May 19, 2008, 08R1014, an independent audit of the city’s water and sewer billing, passed Council. Norwood was the lead co-sponsor. It was vetoed by the Mayor, yet still passed on override 15-0. This became an issue after numerous customers complained of being overbilled without explanation.
On February 04, 2008, 07O2600, to rename part of Hills Avenue to Collier Road, passed 15-0. Norwood sponsored this bill, which was substituted by a marked-up revision which passed through the City Utilities Committee.
On February 04, 2008, 07O0673, to require outside storage items to be stored in the rear of properties, passed. Norwood was the lead co-sponsor on this bill, which was substituted by a marked-up version which came through the Community Development/Human Resources Committee.
On February 04, 2008, 08R0294, to create a technical review committee for the purpose of advising the City in policies for controls for budgeting, passed unanimously. Norwood was lead co-sponsor.
On July 16, 2007, 07O1446, to hire a firm to research existing and proposed tree ordinances, passed 14-0. Norwood was lead co-sponsor.
On March 19, 2007, 07R0608, to ask the State Senate to allow city officials to file financial disclosure reports electronically, was adopted. Norwood sponsored the bill.
On February 05, 2007, 06O2057, providing uniform standards for prohibiting litter in Atlanta, passed 15-0. Norwood sponsored this bill, which was substituted by a marked-up version which came through the City Utilities Committee.
On September 18, 2006, 06R2132, to enter into an agreement with Samaritan House to create a Litter Clean up Program, passed 12-0. Norwood sponsored this bill. This is one of several bills passed by Norwood related to a program she spearheaded to provide employment opportunities to homeless people to clean up Atlanta’s streets. A related bill, 06R1327, passed on July 05, 2006.
On May 01, 2006, 06R1037, affirming the Mayor’s letter to US Immigration and Customs Enforcement, encouraging federal agencies to find alternative jail beds for immigrants currently being housed at the Atlanta Detention Center, passed 12-0. Norwood sponsored the bill.
On February 08, 2006, 06O0258, placing interim development controls on issuance of building permits, passed Council. This was a temporary McMansion Moratorium requested by Norwood until more permanent legislation could be worked out. Eventually, the Council did pass a permanent out-of-scale infill prohibition, although the final bill was introduced by Councilwoman Carla Smith.
Norwood used some of her own post’s expense account to pay for the infill zoning research. On September 19, 2005, 05O1736, which transferred $4,500 from Norwood’s Council expense account to pay for Infill zoning illustrations, passed 11-0. Also, on February 21, 2005, 05O0260, which transferred $3,000 from her Council expense account to fund the Infill Housing Analysis Report, passed 13-0.
On July 05, 2005, 05O1206, which made a no parking area on part of Stonewall Street, passed 13-0. Norwood was lead co-sponsor.
On August 15, 2005, 05O1425, prohibiting subdivision of certain lots, passed 13-0. Norwood sponsored the bill. A similar bill, 04O1376, passed 14-0, on September 07, 2004, overriding a Mayoral veto.
On June 20, 2005, 05O1087, allowing food vendors on private property to stay in same place for more than one year, passed 10-0. Norwood sponsored the bill.
On June 20, 2005, 05R1086, to establish a Tree ordinance task force, passed 13-0. Norwood sponsored the bill, which was amended by the Community Development/Human Resources Committee.
On February 21, 2005, 05O0120, to allow the City to deny liquor licenses to bars or clubs where drugs were sold and the owner or staff should’ve known, passed Council. Norwood was lead co-sponsor.
On January 18, 2008, 04O1621, to create a new residential zoning classification, R2B, passed 13-0. Norwood sponsored the bill.
On February 07, 2005, 05R0122, encouraging judges to impose banishment from Atlanta for criminals conducting the same offense twice, passed Council. The Mayor vetoed the bill, but her veto was overridden by Council. Norwood was lead co-sponsor.
On February 07, 2005, 05R0121, encouraging the use of camaras on known crack houses and illegal dumping sites, passed 12-0. Norwood was lead co-sponsor.
On September 07, 2004, 04R1620, entering into an agreement with the Georgia Department of Transportation to accept funds for the interstate litter clean-up program, passed Council. Norwood was lead co-sponsor.
On June 07, 2004, 04R1061, authorizing the Mayor to accept the review of the Atlanta Clean Water Plan by the American Society of Civil Engineers, passed 13-1. Norwood was lead co-sponsor.
On October 20, 2003, 03R1704, authorizing the creation of a Trust Fund for the infill project, passed 10-1 on substitute from the Finance/Executive Committee. Norwood sponsored the bill.
On October 06, 2003, 03O1442, increasing fines for housing code violations, passed 13-0. Norwood sponsored the bill, which was substituted by an amended version by the Community Development/Human Resources Committee.
On October 06, 2003, 03O1470, a moratorium on new construction and zoning change permits for the Donald L Hollowell Study Area, passed 13-0. Norwood was lead co-sponsor.
On March 17, 2003, 03R0405, a temporary moratorium on demolitions of homes over 50 years old, passed. Norwood sponsored the bill.
On February 03, 2003, 03R0113, creating an of out-of-scale infill development task force, passed 12-0. Norwood was lead co-sponsor; the bill was amended by the Zoning Committee.
On December 02, 2002, 02O0297, allocating funds from the Federal Aviation Administration for new runways and taxiways, passed 9-0. Norwood was lead co-sponsor. This is one of several bills Norwood co-sponsored related to the airport which passed in this time period.
On November 04, 2002, 02R1885, giving budget priority to essential functions of Atlanta City government, passed 14-0. Norwood was lead co-sponsor; the bill was amended by the Finance/Executive Committee.
On July 01, 2002, 02O1148, to define an unclean, vacant lot as a nuisance, passed 14-0. Norwood was lead co-sponsor.
On May 20, 2002, 02O0835, allocating funds for construction of Nancy Creek Tunnel, passed 12-0. Norwood was lead co-sponsor.
On February 18, 2002, 02R0368, authorizing the Urban Design Commission to enter into a grant up to $20,000 for Atlanta’s Comprehensive Historic Resource Survey passed. Norwood was lead co-sponsor.
Lydia
November 30th, 2009
6:00 pm
The Customer Service Director of Watershed should be the 2nd one packing.
Ron
November 30th, 2009
6:03 pm
If you loved Shirley Franklin and her administration then by all means vote for the person she thinks would be best to take her place.
Brett Shepherd
November 30th, 2009
6:09 pm
Since when did the outgoing mayor start yaking off at the mouth about their replacement? Shirley Franklin is a joke and she is afraid that Mary Norwood might actually do the real job of being a mayor, unlike her puppet Kasim!
Shirley Franklin needs to go away and steal, I mean collect her pension from her term as “mayor”! She needs to focus on those criminals in her f’d up family.
If Kasim Reed is elected mayor of Atlanta, he will open up more community centers so that the thugs can screw those up like everything else. Kasim Reed is nothing more than a puppet to Shirley and he will continue to bankrupt this city just like the wicked witch named Shirley.
Brett Shepherd
Bob
November 30th, 2009
6:18 pm
NORWOOD DESERVES OUR VOTE. Let’s try to save our City this time, not perpetuate the mistakes and politics as usual. Rank incompetence and totally ineffective city government is what we’ve had for years — too many years. We need someone like Norwood to clean things up and get ATL back on a sound operating basis with good financial controls. Only a fool would vote to elect just another politician like Reed/Franklin. We’ve had enough of this same old politics and failed management.
Madam Rosa
November 30th, 2009
6:20 pm
There will be some very surprised and disappointed Kasim supporters on tommorrow night.
Jamesbrennandoyle
November 30th, 2009
6:30 pm
Mary Norwood for Mayor!!!!!
Rick
November 30th, 2009
6:32 pm
Look at all the Norwood staff on here trying to scare voters away but the true is coming out about Norwood been in office for 8yrs have done nothing she blame everything on Shirley Franklin but why Norwood dint run against Shirley Franklin 4 yrs ago. Norwood is a lier and dont nobody cares about what she have to say it took her 8yrs to decide that she is doom in the city hall. She help close the projects down in Atlanta so she can run for mayor. She is a quiet Republican she forget if she voted for Bush and Reagan.
Outwrite book store
November 30th, 2009
6:37 pm
Outwrite book store have just endorse Kasim Reed for mayor.
Halibut Maoir
November 30th, 2009
6:44 pm
A race with non-factional garbage spewed by both sides-nahhhhhhhhhhhhhh. But to say it ain’t about race is a laugh,Norwood has no chance. Especially if the Government funded, unemployed caucus is provided cash and transportation to the voting booths,nahhhhhhhhhh that never happens does it?
OTP
November 30th, 2009
6:53 pm
I have never seen such poorly constructed grammatically incorrect statements in my life. Whoever wins the mayor’s race will have to deal with constituents with the IQ of a second grader.
Lois Lane
November 30th, 2009
6:55 pm
Is it just me….doesn’t Mary Norwood remind you of Miss Millie from the movie “The Color Purple.”
Rick
November 30th, 2009
6:59 pm
LOL@Lois Lane
That was real funny……….Miss Millie LMAO
Halibut Maoir
November 30th, 2009
7:00 pm
OTP-It must be tough looking into the mirror every day and telling yourself how smart you are.Boy talk about full of ones self.
James Doyle
November 30th, 2009
7:01 pm
Several Repiublicans have just lined up behind Kasim Reed to offer their support in his candidacy. Mary’s goose is cooked. I guess all the meet-and-greets didn’t pay off.
Halibut Maoir
November 30th, 2009
7:01 pm
May the Best Minority Win!!!! Nite all,even OTP
Atticus Finch
November 30th, 2009
7:11 pm
Matthew Cardinale is full of old-fashioned crap. The legislative accomplishments he so gleefully touts for Norwood consist of mostly legislation that she CO-SIGNED onto with other councilmembers. This has been Mary’s M.O. for a long time. She has been out using taxpayer dollars for meet-and-greets and campaign looking mailers. I am glad the State GOP is lining up behing Kasim Reed. It shows his hinesty toward his alliances and his ability to work across the aisle.
OTP
November 30th, 2009
7:11 pm
Fishy,
Your intelligence reigns supreme…..It’s night, not nite. Get in bed early to make sure you go by the post office in the morning to pick up your parasitic check.
Victorious 1
November 30th, 2009
7:33 pm
You mean Mary lies? Perish the thought…
Yesmam
November 30th, 2009
7:35 pm
Mayor Jackson was indeed the best mayor Atlanta has ever had. His record speaks for him, and whoever lived in Atlanta at that time (in the ’70s) will agree. Police Chief Inman, a man who had 25 black men killed in one year’s time, was ousted and Reginald Eaves was named police chief. Zero black men were killed in a year’s time. (I get upset when someone speaks against Maynard Jackson when they don’t know what they are talking about – evidently you weren’t living in Atlanta).
I paid close attention to Kasim Reed while he was in the senate. Among other things, he took on predatory lending and got those businesses closed. I had borrowed money from one of those companies three years ago, and because of Mr. Reed’s work, I won part of a class action law suite against a payday lending company. Got my check last month. Thanks Mr. Reed.
Truly, I hope Kasim Reed will be the next Mayor of Atlanta. He has done a lot of good in the political arena. It’s not about color, it’s about caring, and Kasim Reed has proven that he cares about people.
LaShondra
November 30th, 2009
8:17 pm
Norwood’s in the pocket of the rich white community. Kasim is the best hope for the African-Americans in the city—Vote Kasim!!! He should win easy on Tuesday.
a downtown dweller
November 30th, 2009
8:21 pm
I just read this on a blog and it is perfectly put….
“Mary Norwood has it RIGHT. Reed is just part of the current regime. MORE OF THE SAME… Franklin part 2. A New day for all of us in Atlanta begins on December 1st.”
A VOTE for Norwood is a vote for ATLANTA!
Marey Snorewood
November 30th, 2009
8:42 pm
@LaShondra
Our tactics of posting on these blogs using ethnic names and trying to trivialize Kasim Reed supporters look silly aren’t working any more. I have told Roman to call it off. Did you not get the memo? You will be paid tomorrow night at 8:00pm.
Thanks!
Karen
November 30th, 2009
9:03 pm
I was happy to vote for Maynard Jackson and I am looking forward to voting for Mary Norwood tomorrow. As an at-large member of the city council she has been been there for me and my neighborhood much more than my own city council member. After speaking with her several times over the years, I have been impressed with her knowledge of the issues facing Atlanta and her commitment to our city. Kasim is okay, but I am excited to have the opportunity to vote for Mary!
shirley
November 30th, 2009
9:07 pm
The truth is Norwood exaggerates or misstates the facts and then her campaign manager or handler clarifies the misstatement. What a pity after 8 years as a Council member and years as a business person Councilmember Norwood can’t get the facts right. I wouldn’t and don’t expect her to agree with me on policy. She’s made clear she doesn’t in hundreds of thousands of dollars of paid political advertising. It is regretable she doesn’t believe she can win the mayor’s race without distorting the truth or deceiving the public. If she’s elected, hold on to your seat. This will be quite a ride.
Teela
November 30th, 2009
9:24 pm
I agree with you Mayor Franklin. I am so tired of all the distortions and lies coming from Mary in this election. It’s downright nauseating that she believes voters to be so gullible. I was supporting her, but I have changed my mind and have chosen to vote for Mr. Reed.
The truth is...
November 30th, 2009
9:28 pm
The truth is Reed is a corporate employment lawyer who makes his living denying workers’ and miniorities’ civil rights. If he were white, the black civil rights community would be throwing a fit, instead of endorsing him.
Someone with his professional history is not fit to be mayor of Atlanta, birthplace of the civil rights movement and MLK.
Teela
November 30th, 2009
9:29 pm
The only distortion I have seen over the past 8 years is what is happening in City Hall.
The words “integrity” should choke in Franklin’s throat…considering what her daughter/son in law (can you spell ‘murderer’?) were doing under her roof. She had full knowledge of the illegal activities of her daughter and son in law at some point…in fact, she has already said that this was a concern for her when she decided to run the second term mayor.
So….anything that Franklin tries to push over as far as ethics, morals….she is a hypocrite, plain and simple.
We have a lot of pathological people in Atlanta, running offices, ’serving’, lining their pockets….etc. And lying. Campbell was a top dog on these things. What an embarrassment he was and is.
I bet that Mary WILL start an investigation into Franklin’s administration pronto….but I don’t think she will get the chance.
The Machine has rapped their arms around Reed and with Shirley’s arm up his butt making him speak….well, so it goes.
On a lesser issue: Anyone having problems with their water bills???? How can a department get so f)))))ed up? Ours tripled and we were told to just pay it and then they would reschedule to read our meter. They never (after 4 months) did. And we refused to pay their outrageous bill. Our water bill this month was ‘normal’ but they still have a huge bill on top of that. I can’t understand the incompetency of a water department that refuses to even READ the damn meters.
If this is their idea of nickeling and dimeing the public , they are sitting on a powder keg.
VOTE FOR MARY!!! Send the crooks packing.
Teela
November 30th, 2009
9:36 pm
Speaking of pocket lining. Did y’all know Mary paid herself $90,000 in taxpayer and campaign funds? That’s probably why she won’t release her personal tax returns. Mary is a sham and has really fooled a lot of people.
I am so glad Sen. Reed has proposed reopening all the rec centers in the city, because the AJC just reported on how they are having a positive impact in Peoplestown.
shirley
November 30th, 2009
9:38 pm
Teela, I welcome every investigation anyone including the new mayor launches. You and all Atlantans deserve answers to their concerns and legitimate questions not a witch hunt. I have nothing to hide. I didn’t use city funds to pay my company, Norwood did. I didn’t vote to weaken the Ethics Code, Norwood did. I didn’t develop a political machine using city funds, Norwood did. I am not a hypocrite and you have no evidence to make the claim. Bring on the evidence. Your slanderous statements are unfounded and dishonest. We aren’t voting for the smae candiadte and that’s ok with me. The difference between us I don’t sling mud and call it reason and fact.
Rick Fontaine, 30311
November 30th, 2009
9:46 pm
Shirley’s support hurts Reed.
I do think the Maynard legacy ends tomorrow.
Mary is a bad debator but an honest person. And I think that’s why so many are backing her. She seems real. Reed seems phony to me.
PoliticOracle
November 30th, 2009
9:53 pm
Mayor Franklin, I for one appreciate your decisive and honest leadership. I have not always agreed with you on every issue, but I hav enever viewed you as dishonest. In fact, I respect your firm leadership style. I didn’t know much about Mr. Reed before this election, but I have paid close attention to him throughout this campaign and he hsa made the most sense. I can’t think of one time where he has pandered to voters.
The pander-factor has really given me pause with Norwood. Mary wants to be everybody’s friend and that is dangerous. I know the changes you brought to this city after we were embarrased by Mayor Campbell. I know the Norwooders on here will accuse me of being a Reed staffer, but besides the fact that its not true – it’s irrelevant. You were not perfect and there are some things that I wish had done differently, but it is unfair to hang the entire crisis of this city on your back. I am an avid reader and I know there are cities struggling across this nation and around the world because of this economic downturn.
As a proud Atlantan, I want to thank you for your years of service and I wish you well in your new endeavors.
PoliticOracle
November 30th, 2009
10:03 pm
Rick Fountaine,
What is so honest about saying 150,000 water meter covers that don’t fit and accusing the city finance department of stealing taxpayer dollars? That’s not honesty that’s political speak.
I’m not saying Reed or Franklin are perfect, but they definitely haven’t been lying. I can’t stand when people are dishonest about others to make themselves shine. Mary Norwood should’ve been trying to work in concert with the mayor and the rest of council to find solutions, instead of trying to grandstand and upstage everyone for press coverage.
When you serve honorably, the press will seek you out.
Just to show you all that I don’t work for Reed or Franklin, here’s a little criticism. I don’t like the way Reed responded when he was questioned about his brother’s employment in city hall and I still don’t think he has answered that question clearly. As for Mayor Franklin, I wish she had engaged citizens more directly in her second term. That is one thing she could’ve taken from Norwood’s playbook, minus all the pandering and distorting.
Jamaal
November 30th, 2009
10:13 pm
Kasim has got mine vote. He gonna get me out of da ghetto and pay for my house and my ride. I don’ts got to worry about nothing no more. Don’t vote for that white trick. She just gonna help her own. We needs to keep a brother in power. All I know is Kasim is going to hook up his own. Time to get paid, dog!
ahClem
November 30th, 2009
10:18 pm
@OTP The average IQ of second graders is 100.
Don't know what you got til it's gone
November 30th, 2009
10:20 pm
Whoever wins tomorrow, I suspect a lot of people will be missing Mayor Franklin in the years ahead. The prospect of a mayor with no managerial experience is frightening. I hope our next mayor doesn’t lead this city over a cliff. Thank you, Mayor Franklin for eight years of hard work and regional involvement that have made Atlanta a better place. I just hope our next mayor has the courage to fire more middle and upper level managers at City Hall.
Teela
November 30th, 2009
11:20 pm
Rick/ Mess Up has hijacked my handle….once (or 5 times) again.
Can’t win an argument on your own merits??
Silly man.
OTP
November 30th, 2009
11:55 pm
Wrong ahClem,
Nice try throwing out a nice round number, though.
Teela
December 1st, 2009
12:06 am
@ shirley: No, I doubt you would welcome every investigation, but I think your butt is safe.
I voted for Franklin twice….I was really excited about what I THOUGHT this woman was all about. That lasted for a few years, and I watched as closely as I could.
When Franklin ran the second time, she made a statement, I believe in Rampage’s article on The Black Mafia,(Creative Loafing) and it’s workings here in Atlanta.
At that time Franklin said that she had concerns about all of this (her ex-son in law workings) and then we got dribbles and drabs about her daughter. Still am not clear exactly what happened there but it seems that the money-laundering charge was muted.
Franklin knew what was going on, and decided to run anyway. Why, Shirley?
I think Franklin got distracted by what was happening in her own life and took her eye off the ball. I am being kind here, because others think that it’s much more than this.
But anyone who has such an issue simmering in the back room would be of divided attentions.
You don’t sling mud, Shirley? I beg to differ. However, I do wish you well wherever you go because you are still young enough to learn something of greater value in life.
Vote for Norwood for Change in Atlanta….BUT WATCH WITH BOTH EYES!!!
And buy her a hamburger. That gal is seriously too thin.
PoliticOracle
December 1st, 2009
12:33 am
Teela,
Can you please explain why the mayor’s family are relevant to this discussion? Mayor Franklin has in no way attacked Mary Norwood personally. She has stuck to the facts in her analysis of this mayoral election. Mary has really performed poorly during this campaign, almost as bad as she did as a councilmember.
Kasim will win tomorrow and hope the people of this great city will unite around our new mayor for the sake of our collective progress.
Steve
December 1st, 2009
12:35 am
Teela, you are out of you mind. Hopefully, you don’t have kids to teach your nonsense too.
drsoul
December 1st, 2009
12:42 am
Franklin needs REED to win to hope that she isn’t discovered and convicted…!!!! Facts are that REED is endorsed by the evergrowing MACHINE… it is obvious that REED subscribes to all of the MACHINE politics or he would not accept ‘endorsement by the MACHINE’… so, Atlanta, it does come down to a moral conscience and conviction of character… if you have these, vote for NORWOOD.. if you do not have these, you will vote for REED and define yourself forever…
REED is the ‘MACHINE PUPPET’… he represents the last two decades of dirty politics and management of Atlanta… if you strongly want your city to continue to drown in the sewer of MACHINE politics, you vote will go for REED… if you have a moral conscience and character, you will get out and VOTE NORWOOD for a better and honest Atlanta…!!!!
The truth is...
December 1st, 2009
2:51 am
Mary’s political machine Shirley speaks of is a grass-roots network of Atlanta’s citizens who Mary Norwood has performed constituent service for, as opposed to the machine Shirley is a part of, and that Reed seeks to inherit, that consists of city vendors, developers and well-heeled law firms with a financial stake in maintaining the status-quo at City Hall.
Put me down with the Mary citizens.
We can’t afford the Campbell/Franklin/Reed machine any longer.
Sandra off Juniper !!!!
December 1st, 2009
3:06 am
Anyone but Mary Norwood. She has all of the machine working with HER!!! Maceo!!! Zee Bradford!!! That’s the machine!!! Kasim has never pandered to the old guard, check the support for Lisa Borders initially!!!! They were all holding the fence up and not wanting to support Kasim because he would not “take care” of them. Kasim is caught between racism and the old leadership, that means he is the CHANGE WE NEED!!! He is going to tell these folks to sit down and uplift the young talented people in Atlanta who have been working their asses off to make it. Mary is going to have to spend her whole time taking care of Able Mable’s needs as she stomps the council floor again with Derek Boazman and all his croonies!!! Dwanda Farmer et all are all loosers in the black community who hate on educated african americans who want to do better than the past. Don’t get it confused!!! Kasim is farther away from the chains of slavery than Mary is. She is shucking and jiving with all of the old guard hoping that they would just help her win over the black vote.. Anyone voting on merit and record will vote for Kasim Reed with a doubt!!!! I hope that he wins this race for the sake of us ALL!!!! I am looking out for you Atlanta and I hope that you get the Mayor who can bring the levels of government together and make Atlanta work again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The Late Maynord Jackson
December 1st, 2009
8:27 am
Kasim Reed is the machine’s man. VOTE REED EARLY & OFTEN…
Maynard's machine in Hades
December 1st, 2009
9:21 am
As I watch the election today from below, I wish Kasim good luck in continuing the ways of the black power machine here in Atlanta. Please do the Machine right people and vote for Kasim. If not, Mary will be elected and she will take my name off the airport – I worked very hard to get that done with corruption and other seedy activities. Praise Allah and vote Kasim!!!
Lee
December 1st, 2009
10:20 am
GO MARY ! GO MARY ! GO MARY !
Teela
December 1st, 2009
10:45 am
Regardless what happens today, Atlanta will never be the same.
Someone here said it best: I believe it was Sophie. The groundswell of anger at the black machine, for the incompetence and corruption of City Hall, for the private contracts, for the raised taxes and no service, for the water shed management and the bogus water bills, for the LACK of public safety, for the conniving ‘leadership’ that is so divorced from those who pay their paychecks, etc…
Well, from all over Atlanta, there will continue to be this groundswell of citizens, TAXPAYERS who won’t accept what we have been thrown for over many years.
From the southside to the northside, from the east to the west, people of all races have finally had the veil ripped from their eyes. Perhaps it’s the thug culture that owns our streets on the southside and in midtown, where people can’t go about their business without robberies. Where a climate of lawlessness has held sway for too many years. And a police chief who is mumbling that ‘crime is down’. Walk the streets of most Southside and midtown areas and tell me that crime is down.
People are saying that they have had enough. Quality of life issues are important. The arrogance of City Hall can’t continue forever.
Regardless who gets this mayor’s office, things will never be the same. People have seen that we need change in radical ruptures from the past.
I think I have never been prouder of Atlantans than I am right now. They won’t be silenced again, regardless how much the Machine here in Atlanta wheezes on.
Teela
Kasim Reed's third nipple
December 1st, 2009
12:42 pm
Mary eats her boogers and is a stoopid head. Vote Kasim Reed, don’t vote for the booger eater.
Mary for Mayor
December 1st, 2009
4:35 pm
If you keep doing the same thing over and over again, you will get the same result: Jackson, Young, Jackson, Campbell, Franklin = cronyism, high crime, high taxes, inefficient government, back-room deals.
How about a government that actually works for instead of a government that just looks like you?
My Kid can Count by 3's
December 1st, 2009
5:53 pm
Ummm…. A bill that’s around $120, that is tripled, is about $360! Thank you, Mary, for knowing that and for fighting that! Can her opponent not count by 3s?
Reasons I won’t be voting for Kasim Reed:
* I don’t know why he hides his first name, Mohammed. His hiding his name, Mohammed Kasim Reed, scares me. Why does he hide his name? Isn’t he for ‘transparency?’
* He accepted the maximum donation possible from TI’s recording company. How is he going to keep my kids safe if he is financially tied to a felon who was illegally purchasing weapons with silencers in a parking lot (Piedmont/North Ave Walgreens) with families all around?
*I feel he is part of Atlanta’s Hip-Hop institution. He is in sooo thickly with all of them. He is part of them. They sing of violence, defamation, rape, etc, and Kasim represents them and claims to be “endorsed” by them (how can a hip-hop artist endorse???) – and even makes a video announcing they support him. Thank you…that video sealed my vote for Mary!
*Kasim is rude and vindictive in his speech towards Mary. Mary will call him out on the facts, but she does so with class and politeness. Kasim’s words are VERY nasty and ugly, including his tone of voice. How does he talk about others who are against the corrupt Atlanta political machine behind their backs, if that is how he talks down to her in PUBLIC?
*He and Shirley Franklin are ONE and THE SAME. He is part of her! My God, Shirley’s own husband had his airport business seized for taxes he never paid. Shirley’s no-good, partying daughter went off and married a thug who is now spending the rest of his life in prison for his leadership role in a massive cocaine ring!! Kai Franklin has been under investigation to see what she knew of the cocaine ring! A defendant in court stated Shirley would pull strings to get Tremayne out of jail. Tremayne used 404 Motorsports on our beloved Cheshire Bridge to funnel drug money. One man and his gfriend (a cute Spelman grad), who were to testify against him, were murdered in their Highland Court townhome. At one point, Tremayne lived w Mayor Shirley – she welcomed him into her home during the drug dealing!!! Obviously, her judgment cannot be trusted – and, she’s asking us to now trust her judgment and vote for Kasim???
*Kasim does not pay his taxes on time. He showed up and paid over $60k in back taxes/fees so he could run for mayor. Who is one of his closest friends? Shirley, whose husband didn’t pay taxes and had his business taken from him for it.
Lynn
December 1st, 2009
6:42 pm
Norwood has fought for the residents of this city against a majority of incompetent council members who have allowed the corruption of the past several decades to bleed us dry of our taxpayer dollars. She’s one of the few voices who stood against the ineffective “status quo” that got Atlanta into its financial messes to begin with. We need someone like her to force some changes and accountability. I would love to actually reach a police officer when I call my local precinct. It has never happened for the past 12 years. Norwood just might make the changes that mean city residents get city services.
MLC
December 5th, 2009
12:30 pm
Im just glad to not see that damn flower on her shoulder anymore.
Now Shirley can put it in a flower vase!