Candidates grill Norwood on past votes, budget plans

By Eric Stirgus

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

The four leading Atlanta mayoral candidates sharpened their attacks during a televised debate Saturday afternoon, and presumed front-runner Mary Norwood was often the target.

Enlarge photo

Phil Skinner, pskinner@ajc.com Kasim Reed (from left), Mary Norwood, Jesse Spikes and Lisa Borders finish up their Atlanta mayoral debate at Fox 5 studios Saturday.

Related

• Candidates turn to social media
• Voter Guide 2009

More Atlanta/Fulton news »

• Beryl may bring rain, wind here
• Not all cheating the same at APS
• Sneiderman battle recalls 1989 saga
• Citizen Review Board under scrutiny
• Atlanta/South Fulton
• North Fulton

Norwood, a two-term councilwoman, was grilled by the other three candidates during an hourlong debate on Fox 5 about how she'll pay for her 12-point public safety plan, how's she has used her City Council budget and how she can justify her vote in June against raising taxes, which ended furloughs on police officers and firefighters.

Norwood repeated previous responses that past city budgeting errors have made her uncomfortable about voting in favor of raising taxes and that she needs to audit all city funds before determining how she'll fund some initiatives.

At one point, Council President Lisa Borders suggested Norwood doesn't understand the difference between some of the city's funds, such as the one for Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport.

"Mrs. Norwood understands that," Norwood replied.

The city's finances were the focus of much of the debate. Asked whether they would guarantee not to raise taxes next year, Norwood and attorney Jesse Spikes said they would not increase the property tax rate. Former state lawmaker Kasim Reed said he would only raise taxes to improve public safety if the idea was approved by a voter referendum. Borders wouldn't commit to a guarantee. She later said she'd raise taxes as a "last resort."

Norwood was asked to identify the worst areas of fiscal mismanagement, which has been a theme of her campaign. She said the administration of Mayor Shirley Franklin has sometimes spent money on areas without the council's knowledge after the city's budget has been adopted. Norwood explained in an interview that she was primarily referring to the hiring of new employees and other personnel changes.

Reed defended the feasibility of his plan to hire 750 police officers in his first term, saying much of it could be funded through redirecting revenues. The candidate was joined on the campaign trail Saturday by former San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown.

Spikes, a political newcomer, defended his qualifications to be mayor, citing his efforts to bring business to the city in the early 1990s under the administration of Mayor Andrew Young. The former Rhodes scholar noted his educational background. Spikes said he'll bring fresh ideas to City Hall, and he blamed Borders and Norwood for some of the city's problems.

"If you like the mess we have today, here are your choices," he said.

Another area of focus during the debate was Franklin, who cannot run for re-election. The candidates were asked what were the best and biggest failures of her administration. They cited Franklin's effort to upgrade the city's water and sewer infrastructure and the establishment of ethics guidelines as accomplishments. For failures, Spikes said her budget battles with the council. Borders said the errors made by some staffers, and Reed said the mayor should have fired former Chief Financial Officer Janice Davis shortly after the city's budget problems came to light. Norwood cited the city's budget troubles.

The candidates were also asked whether the popular reality show "The Real Housewives of Atlanta" hurts the city's image. Borders and Reed said it doesn't represent Atlanta well, while Norwood and Spikes said they have never watched the show.