Archive for the ‘Cousins Properties’ Category

Send the children from the room. Or at least have sense enough to cover their ears.

We’re about to have a debate over whether the formally non-partisan Atlanta mayoral race has been infiltrated – and possibly subverted – by closet Republicanism.

Each of the major candidates, seeking to rule over a Democratic town, admits to having Republican friends. Not that there’s anything wrong with that. But none condone the GOP lifestyle, or admit to heavy Republican influence.

Last Thursday, three Democratic state lawmakers condemned mayoral candidate and Council President Lisa Borders for consorting with Fulton County Commissioner Lynne Riley, who will host a fund-raiser for Borders this week.

For the TV cameras, the complaint by the trio – all supporters of mayoral rival Kasim Reed – focused on Riley’s support for a movement to allow north Fulton to secede from the rest of the county, and form a new Milton County. Which Borders quickly disavowed.

The real but unspoken issue …

Continue reading The hunt for secret Republicans in Atlanta’s race for mayor »

For months, Republicans have buzzed about yet another contender in the race for governor, a fresh face backed by the state’s business community.

You have to wonder if they’ve been talking about Tom Bell, the 59-year-old CEO of Cousins Properties who retires at the end of the month.

The business pages contain two references this morning. This by my AJC colleagues Michelle Shaw and Gertha Coffee:

[Sam]Massell and others suggested Bell might aspire to a political office such as Atlanta mayor or governor. Bell gave no indication of plans in that direction. He also said he won’t stay at Cousins in any capacity after retiring.

“I just don’t believe in it. I’ve been there and done that. I’ve been the COO who became the CEO, while the old CEO is on the board and chairman or something, and it’s just uncomfortable,” he said.

Today’s Atlanta Business Chronicle has this about Bell:

But, he also said he has been approached by several people about pursuing the …

Continue reading Your morning jolt: A 50-something businessman retires, just as the governor’s race begins »