Atlanta officials, Norwood differ over campaign ad

By Eric Stirgus

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Atlanta Chief Financial Officer Jim Glass complained Tuesday that mayoral candidate Mary Norwood is misleading the public by claiming that the city "misplaced" more than $100 million.

The city announced in February that several departments borrowed $116 million from its Watershed Management Department to pay for various projects in recent years. Those departments are repaying Watershed Management.

In her latest television ad, which premiered a few days ago, Norwood, a city councilwoman, proclaimed "$100 million misplaced."

"We haven't misplaced $100 million," Glass said Tuesday during the city's monthly financial update.

Mayor Shirley Franklin, who can't run for office, said she was dismayed by what Norwood said.

The Norwood campaign argues the ad isn't misleading. The candidate says she asked former Chief Financial Officer Janice Davis and others to look into the situation two years ago and that fell on deaf ears.

Franklin and her staff have complained several times in recent weeks that Norwood has misrepresented facts and figures of city operations. Last week, the watershed department said Norwood used "inaccurate and misleading information" in another TV ad that the city has "150,000 water meter covers that don't fit." The department is upgrading 150,000 meters and says less than 1 percent of them don't fit. Norwood says she's received numerous calls from citizens about problem lids and put one back herself.

Franklin has endorsed Kasim Reed in the mayor's race and has strongly criticized Norwood's performance on the council.

During the update, Glass said the city fund that pays for most services is about $8.3 million in the black since July 1. He said city departments are doing a better job of saving money.

Also Tuesday, Police Chief Richard Pennington reported a 13 percent reduction in major crimes. He said there have been 72 murders in the city this year. The chief said there were 167 murders in 2002.