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DEL.ICIO.USA blot on Franklin’s tough tenure
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Mayor Shirley Franklin is nearing the end of her eight-year tenure just as she began it, with Atlanta City Hall in sorry financial shape. This is a disappointing development from an urban chief executive once featured on the cover of Newsweek and ranked among America’s top five mayors by Time.
Franklin has offered the Atlanta City Council a budget for the 2008-09 fiscal year that lays off employees, freezes vacant positions and raises property taxes to head off a $140 million shortfall. Her proposed tax hike will come on top of yet another anticipated increase in water/sewer rates. After six years in office, she presides over a budgeting process nearly as dysfunctional as that left behind by her criminal predecessor, Bill Campbell.
The mayor is not to blame for all of the city’s fiscal problems. The council has contributed a huge share to the dysfunction, and a recession has done the rest.
But Franklin took office amid high expectations, not just for higher ethical standards and inspired leadership — which she has shown — but also for more disciplined fiscal management. She was certainly not expected to preside over another budget meltdown.
For its part, the City Council has already begun harrumphing and hectoring over the mayor’s budget, with some council members protesting the proposed tax hike — “I don’t want to give up on trying to fight a property tax increase,” said councilman Howard Shook — while others complained about the complexity — “This budget seems to be hinged on several policy changes we haven’t even considered,” said councilwoman Natalyn Archibong.
But a preceding City Council made a costly change that helped provoke this fiscal calamity, and some current members were on that body. Perhaps longtime members such as Clair Muller and C.T. Martin remember the vote: In 2001, the City Council made a dramatic improvement to the pensions offered to police officers, a colossal move that will haunt taxpayers for decades to come.
Troubled by low police morale and difficulty recruiting new officers, the council caved in to police demands for better benefits by increasing not just salaries but also the “multiplier” for pensions, from 2 percent to 3 percent. At the time, a police officer multiplied his years of service by two; he received that percentage of his salary as his pension. If he worked 20 years and his highest average salary was $50,000 a year, he’d get a pension of 40 percent, or $20,000. Now, the officer multiplies his years of service by three. So that $50,000 salary produces a pension of $30,000.
On top of that, federal regulations now require cities to set aside more money to cover pensions they’ll have to pay out in years to come. Those pension burdens, plus soaring health care costs, have strained the city’s finances, accounting for the shortfall and forcing dire choices.
But neither of those significant expenditures — pensions or health care — should have come as a surprise. Any accountant should have known that increased benefits would cost the city, and it’s the accountant’s job to know just when those bills would come due. Somebody was asleep at the switch and ought to be fired.
Atlanta residents are already struggling under the burden of a $4 billion overhaul of the city’s ancient sewerage system. The overhaul is absolutely necessary, an ambitious but distinctly unglamorous undertaking that other mayors refused to take on. Franklin was courageous to do it.
But she has already hiked water/sewer rates 70 percent over the past five years, and she has proposed several more. If the council adopts them all, the average household’s water bill will have jumped from $50 to $135 over 10 years, a 170 percent increase, according to Atlanta Journal-Constitution reporter D. L. Bennett. That’s on top of the additional penny in sales tax charged on items purchased in the city.
Over the past decade, Atlanta has experienced a resurgence, with middle-class residents moving back inside the city limits, shops and restaurants opening and a new vitality energizing older neighborhoods. A property tax hike might not halt the city’s momentum, but it sure will dampen residents’ enthusiasm for its leadership.
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By zeke
May 7, 2008 9:51 AM | Link to this
THIS IS NOT THE ONLY ONE!!! Drastic tax increases, stupid waste of $30+ billion for King papers, beltline, trolley and many others that are a rape of taxpayers!!
By Evelyn
May 7, 2008 11:01 AM | Link to this
We were very disapoointed to see Mayor Franklin attempt to block the public’s access to public records via use of a Memorandum of Agreement (a contract) between the FAA and DeKalb County. Instead of fighting for the public’s right to open government, she rolled over, apparently in an attempt to help her “friends” out; those who did not want these records in the public domain. How embarrassing and shameful it must be the only Mayor in the nation to have allowed this to happen. What a moral lapse! Not only did the City of Atlanta (and DeKalb County) waste the public’s resources on unnecessary legal cost, they squandered the goodwill of “The People”. There is no bigger loss.
By Failure
May 7, 2008 11:25 AM | Link to this
This should have never happened to a two-term mayor. Yes, Bill Campbell was a corrupt, unethical disaster.
But Shirley’s been asleep at the wheel. She’s out of town half the time any way, traveling to speaking engagements, on vacation, etc.
Atlanta City Hall is still bloated, still full of waste, still inefficient, still full of people who were hired by who they know instead of how good they are at their jobs.
The next mayor needs to be an outsider who blows everything up and starts fresh again.
And the city motor pool is still an embarassment.
By Smarty Jones
May 7, 2008 11:55 AM | Link to this
It is time for Clark Howard to be mayor. We know for sure that he will have the budget in line. This is typical though with minorities at the helm. EVERY politician takes from the ‘kitty’ but when you take 2/3’s then that is a little too much. I am a black man so don’t think I am whitetrash, etc…It is just the facts and sometimes the facts hurt but they are the facts.
By take a break
May 7, 2008 12:01 PM | Link to this
Ms. Tucker I applaud that you took the time to explain that the Council is partially to blame for the budget shortfall mess. I have been to several of the meetings, City of Atlanta and Fulton County and I have to say that the Mayor has done an excellent job with what she has. Unfortunately, some employees are caught in the political web of achieving balance in a system rank with disproportionment of powers. If the City Finance and Auditing Departments were allowed more direct involvement then some of the shortages may have not happened. There are things that are not budgeted for such as when settlements against the city are granted and must be paid. Since the corruption of the system while Campbell was Mayor, the media has scrutinized every aspect of the City’s spending which I believe is necessary to keep crooks at bay, and I feel that Mayor Franklin has done an excellent job with cooperating with complaints against the Mayor’s Office. It is not a job that I would want to undertake on the heels of corruption and abuse. And for the post that suggests that the hiring process is based on who knows who, I suggest that you make the complaint to the appropriate persons and it will be investigated. Everything else is. :) (No, I do not work for the City, I just live in it)
By Bobby
May 7, 2008 12:21 PM | Link to this
Her first term Franklin did an excellent job. Her second term she seemed to lose interest and simply wanted to travel all the time instead of taking care of city business. We see the results.
By TJones
May 7, 2008 12:27 PM | Link to this
Another blot on her administration is what is happening to Midtown. Now that Buckhead clubs have closed, that crowd of troublemakers has moved to Midtown and Atlantic Station to cruise and abuse on Friday and Saturday nights. The police are conspiciously absent. Shirley has been a great Mayor in so many ways, but I do feel that she has neglected crime prevention.
By Leigh
May 7, 2008 12:33 PM | Link to this
She started going downhill with that radio ad about firehoses . I didn’t have any respect for her after she willingly participated in that. She did tackle the sewer problems and should be give a lot of credit for that.
By willgaines
May 7, 2008 12:34 PM | Link to this
It is like deja vu all over again. The Bain report was much touted, yet none of its recommendations were implemented - almost 8 years later. Then the mayor comes out and says she can’t find any evidence of incompetence or dishonesty - I think a $60 million shortfall is prima facie evidence of incompetence. Yet we still fail to demand accountability. It is a shame that we Atlantans are happy to have any mayor so long as she seems honest - that is what we settle for.
By Rusty
May 7, 2008 12:37 PM | Link to this
TJones, haven’t you yeard? Crime prevention is racist.
By Rudy
May 7, 2008 1:28 PM | Link to this
When considering the “whys” of the Current state of Atlanta’s finances, the complete incompetence of many in the Dept. of Finance must be considered. Most of these dimbulbs would not even be considered for employment in the private sector, much less employment in any area having to do with finances. Atlanta city government is simply a JOBS program for minorities and social cast-offs. There are so many “accounting irregularities” at City Hall the I-Team would have a field day chasing down all of them! Just ask any vendor who provides goods and services to the COA; “Have you been paid for your work?” the answer will likely be a resounding NO!
By Linda
May 7, 2008 1:36 PM | Link to this
I think Mayor Shirley Franklin has done a tremendous job as mayor. You have to realize she is leaving office when the U.S. economy is at an all-time worst. She can’t help that. Just six years ago when she first took office, she took a paycheck of only $1 for the entire year her first year until the City of Atlanta could get a grip on its economy. She inherited headaches from Mayor Bill Campbell’s administration and she shouldn’t be blamed for the present economy. Blame President Bush for that. As a matter of fact, for the last 35 years, everytime the U.S. economy has experienced a recession, it has ALWAYS BEEN UNDER A REPUBLICAN ADMINISTRATION. In 1973, gas was at an all-time high under the Nixon Administration. In 1981, college students could not find jobs, and the economy was in a recession under President Reagan’s administration. People will say “Reaganomics”, but President Reagan came in the office his first day as President, Jan 21, 1981, the day after his inauguration cutting back on Student Financial Aid and other program. If my financial aid had not already been appropriated for that year, I would have been able to graduate some 5 months later. And now President Bush is experiencing some of the same mess with the economy and this war. MAYOR FRANKLIN, YOU’VE DONE A GOOD JOB. WELL DONE THY GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANT.
By will
May 7, 2008 2:14 PM | Link to this
Linda, Like others you just ignore the complete and utter incompetence of City Hall. What has she done? The water and sewers? Sure, that was a hard decision to make with the federal consent decree and just doing it on the backs of ratepayers - absolutely no outside help. And for some good reading go back and look at the CL archives - great story on how when Shirley was administrator for Andy, there was actually federal money to help. So name one other thing. Beltline, maybe, but again, she hasn’t really got that off the ground and no outside money. So what has she done in 7 YEARS - the blame it on Campbell approach might have worked in 2000, but it doesn’t hold water now.
By will
May 7, 2008 2:15 PM | Link to this
Linda, Like others you just ignore the complete and utter incompetence of City Hall. What has she done? The water and sewers? Sure, that was a hard decision to make with the federal consent decree and just doing it on the backs of ratepayers - absolutely no outside help. And for some good reading go back and look at the CL archives - great story on how when Shirley was administrator for Andy, there was actually federal money to help. So name one other thing. Beltline, maybe, but again, she hasn’t really got that off the ground and no outside money. So what has she done in 7 YEARS - the blame it on Campbell approach might have worked in 2000, but it doesn’t hold water now.
By willgaines
May 7, 2008 2:16 PM | Link to this
Linda, Like others you just ignore the complete and utter incompetence of City Hall. What has she done? The water and sewers? Sure, that was a hard decision to make with the federal consent decree and just doing it on the backs of ratepayers - absolutely no outside help. And for some good reading go back and look at the CL archives - great story on how when Shirley was administrator for Andy, there was actually federal money to help. So name one other thing. Beltline, maybe, but again, she hasn’t really got that off the ground and no outside money. So what has she done in 7 YEARS - the blame it on Campbell approach might have worked in 2000, but it doesn’t hold water now.
By Barry
May 7, 2008 2:17 PM | Link to this
Hey Y’all:
Those of us who supported and voted for this administration have been “BABOOZLED”. What we have witnessed over the last 6 years is what Robb Pitt supporters were clamouring for and who we voted against. The “b*** against her having political cronies on staff whoo supported heran now her staff consist of political outsiders and thelike who have no love or concern for the citizens of this city. We have the brothers and relatives of developers on her staff. The ones who assisted in financing her campaign. The voters voice is not and was not being heard over these last 6 years. the ones who financed her campaign is. Even those who knocked on the doors everyday for Shirley have been looked down upon by this administration. They used us to get your vote. What we are seeing now in employyes getting layed of and mismanagement of funds represents the kniving spirit of those she surround herself with. I guess you can say now “The chicken comes home to roost!!”. God has a way of dealing with ugly and arrogance. And this administration has exhibited that to all concerned who do not have money and status in the community. But come election time they want your vote o keep them in office. We have another election coming and we will see those same types seeking your vote. Many of them are sleeping with the developers of this city who support them with money to con you for their vote. When they are in office the speak for the developers. Not the employyes of the city, not the taxpayers. But only those who will line their pockets after their term is up. Therefore, it is incumbent upon us voters to be very aware of the character and financial backing of those we will be electing as our nex mayor. For this mayor has surely fooled us with style, class, and grace. I know we all feel like “SUCKERS”. We got our “Dear John letter” in the form of a “pink slip”. We should have never depended on her or the city for anything. Therefore, to all citizens of Atlanta, those who have not lost their day job and those who have, we must start our own business. We must become entrepprenuers and give God the glory. We must never let a man, woman, or half woman, or half man deceive us again in the field of politics. On this event in the City of Atlanta, we are going to have to suck this one up. Shirley will leave office but the developers will be atking care of her financially. She did here job for them. But those of you who have lost your jobs, find a new and start learning how to start your business. But remember, never again just give anyone your vot without reall checking them out. From their family, to their character, to their financial backing, check them out. Do not be a “SUCKER” like we have been in giving our vote and backing to Shirley Franklin over the last 6 years. In my heart, I wish what is happening was a dream. The conditions are worst for the little man in the city as compared to when Bill Campbell was in office. And like Bill Campbell, Shirley has surrounded herself with arrogant, corrupt individuals. Even her Chief of Staff was with Bill Campbell for 8 years. He must be there to teach her all the tricks she can do on the public and not get caught. Well, they got caught again, and the man is the only “common denominator” there. What’s really going on. Same problems from 8 years ago. We are still in a budget deficit. We have been “BABOOZLED” all around.
Save us Lord from these deceitful people.
By Melvin Everson
May 7, 2008 2:23 PM | Link to this
Linda, You forgot the Carter administration. Double digit inflation and unemployment, long gas lines, 21% interest rates, recession, etc. Oh, my bad, Carter was not a Republican.
By Melvin Everson
May 7, 2008 2:23 PM | Link to this
Linda, You forgot the Carter administration. Double digit inflation and unemployment, long gas lines, 21% interest rates, recession, etc. Oh, my bad, Carter was not a Republican.
By Ted
May 7, 2008 2:25 PM | Link to this
I love how Ms. Tucker tries to ease in “recession” as one of the factors for Mayor Franklin screwing the pooch. The trouble is, there is no recession. A recession is described as two quarters of negative growth. We haven’t had any negative growth (yet). We are still in positive, albeit slower, growth.
And even if we were in recession, what kind of excuse is that? An executive creates game plans that account for all sorts of conditions, including recession. The reasons the city is in the red is because of reckless spending, plain and simple.
By Andre D. Haynes
May 7, 2008 2:26 PM | Link to this
Ms. Joyner…..I couldn’t have said it better!!!!!
By will
May 7, 2008 2:45 PM | Link to this
Barry, One of the largest expenditures is the rise in pension costs, for the city employees. One of the biggest recommenndations of the Bain report was to privatize services (which would reduce pension costs and helathcare costs) and that has not been done. Just now, after the layoffs, is the city actually at parity with other cities in the employee to citizen ratios. The big problem is the city is run for the employees and the administration, not the citizens. If you have ever tried to deal with them, you would know.
So don’t be too hard on the developers, if it wasn’t for them, there would be a lot less folks to share this burden.
By BeBe KID
May 7, 2008 2:54 PM | Link to this
Atlanta like many other cities in the US has a crumbling infrastructure, declining tax base and bloated city government full of incompetent phony fake boot-licking negros who are more concerned about what they drive, where they live and the clothes they wear. These silly negros throw lavish parties at major white owned hotels, eat chicken wings, drink fine liquor, do the electric and cha-cha slide then complain about what the Federal Government is not doing for them. These snobs also look down on poor black people or other black people of a different socioeconmic status blaming them for their misfortune and consider themselves to be elite when many are one paycheck from going to the poor house. Just consider the foreclosure rate in metro Atlanta. Atlanta city governement is full of crooked people who are strictly out for themselves; they are self serving and could care less about serving the people.
By PTH
May 7, 2008 3:34 PM | Link to this
Linda, What about the the Clinton recession July 1990 through March 1991?
Any by the way…by definition we are NOT in an economic recession:
Definition: economic recession: term defined as a decline in a country’s real gross domestic product (GDP), or negative real economic growth, for two or more successive quarters of a year.
The GDP was up last quarter.
Ms. Franklin only addressed the “sewerage” (as spelled by Ms. Tucker) running under the streets, and not out of City Hall. The people that she brought into the finance department, in cooperation with the City Council have ripped the City of Atlanta again. I agree with Failure:
Let’s get someone from the outside the current political realm here in Atlanta to scrap the system and start over: CLARK HOWARD.
By PTH
May 7, 2008 3:39 PM | Link to this
By the way Ms. Tucker I have a question pertaining to your pension example you gave:
Could you please locate a police officer here in the City of Atlanta (or anywhere for that matter) that averages a salary of $50,000 per year?
If this were a legitimate figure, I do not believe that we would have a problem recruiting Police Officers in the first place.
By BArry
May 7, 2008 4:09 PM | Link to this
Hey Y’all:
I agree we need developers to assist in sharing the tax burden, but we do not need a mayor or them making 95% of policy decisions based on their needs and not the citizens. We have to be pragmatic in equally addressing needs of the community in priorit order. 1. Development 2. Basic Services (i.e., police, fire, pblic works,etc.) and 3. Better Governemnt Management, etc. All our cocerns should not be on coddling developers more than the needs of the citizens. If we have limited basic services (i.e., police, fire, water, public works, etc.) These are the services that are needed to provide quality services to the new citizens/residents who will be livig in the new developments. We should not be cutting city services and raising taxes with all this new development in the city. Who’s fooling who in this matter?? Truly not me. We have been “BABOOZLED” and a lot of laid off city employees have paid for it and city residents will pay for it in higher taxes.
Who’s fooling how?
By steven
May 7, 2008 4:20 PM | Link to this
Shirley Who!?
I have to take exception to this entire commentary.
As someone who’s watched “Mayor” Franklin vicariously through one of her supporters for years, I’d have to say this one’s been pretty much a bust. The only good i’ve seen her do is NOT fill a bunch of old patronage positions down at city hall. otherwise, she hired a police chief who was not up to the task, alienated public servants, and begged for money (largely unsuccessfully) from the federal government to help bail the city out.
Finally, although the commentator has seen fit to immunize her, she does have some ownership of the city’s fiscal problems. If she had tackled some of the problems that make the city a less attractive place to live instead of bemoaning the “whitening” of atlanta, we’d probably be further ahead.
By Dumbing Down
May 7, 2008 4:40 PM | Link to this
Affirmative action at its finest. Shirley Girl-friend was a mediocre manager who was put in the position of mayor due to her race and gender. Viola- tough times and Cynthia-Girlfriend comes to the rescue.
GIVE ME A BREAK. Low standards permeate throughout the community and choosing leaders with average performance which is later hailed as “exeptional” is a farce at best. The “exceptional” mantra fails every time when there are tough times.
NO EXCUSES ALLOWED! Period!
By Brian
May 7, 2008 5:18 PM | Link to this
Shirley’s entire tenure is a blot on Atlanta’s history. I cannot understand how any person- regardless of political affiliation - can , with a straight face, defend her administration. She’s an abject failure and a crook. Just like Bill Campbell. Just like Maynard Jackson.
Until Atlanta decides it wants to elect folks who actually intend to serve it’s population and not enrich their cronies, it will continue to spiral down the commode.
Being black does not qualify one to be mayor. Hating white folks doesn’t qualify one to be mayor.
Not being able to decide of one wants a mustache or not does not qualify one to be mayor.
By SD
May 7, 2008 5:28 PM | Link to this
“Caved into police demands”? I am sure in your liberal Nirvana, no police force would exists, but in one of the most crime riddin cities in the US, a strong, happy police force is a necessity in Atlanta and they should get whatever the request.
BTW, I saw that Time placed Shirly Franklin in the top five. Makes you wonder how bad all the other mayors in major cities must be to have her in the top five.
By Neil
May 7, 2008 5:33 PM | Link to this
The Police pension fund had Millions, YES, millions stolen from it that happened under the City’s watch. How about looking at true pork barrel spending that is in the budget that no one really ever pays any mind to. Such as Underground. Why should the City invest millions into a consistently loosing proposition. Do you really think that City police officers deserves a 25K dollar pension after giving 25 years of service in this miserable city? Look to where the money can be cut that is truly exessive and wasteful. Hmmmm….council’s salary has gone up a few 100 % during this timeframe.
By The Thin Guy
May 7, 2008 5:37 PM | Link to this
One source of revenue is to place a usage tax on everyone who works in Atlanta but lives outside the city. And turn I75 & I85 inside the city into toll roads. Or set up a carny dunking stand and charge folks money for baseballs to dunk Shirley and the other city officials.