Franklin congratulates Reed, says she'll stay "out of the way"

By Eric Stirgus

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin said Friday she'll offer encouragement to her presumptive successor, Kasim Reed, but "my role is getting out of the way."

Franklin told reporters Friday that race and gender played a role in the closely-contested mayoral race between Reed, who is African-American, and Mary Norwood, who is white. She also thought the news media played a role in playing up the impact of race in the campaign.

"We're humans and we are attracted and moved emotionally by different aspects," the mayor said.

"Ultimately," she added, "people voted their conscience."

The mayor offered those and other comments about the mayor's race during a news conference Friday unveiling a program where victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and exploitation, child abuse and infant abandonment can go to any fire station in the city for assistance. Firefighters will close the stations when someone comes for assistance and direct them to agencies that can offer more help.

Franklin noted previous white mayors like William Hartsfield, Ivan Allen and Sam Massell reached out to black residents after elections as did Maynard Jackson did with white residents.

Norwood has said she'll request a recount after the election results are certified Saturday. Reed leads her by 715 votes out of more than 84,000 ballots cast.

Franklin said she has met with Reed and congratulated him. The mayor has set up space in the old City Council Chamber for the transition team. Reed checked out the space Thursday.

Franklin said she'll advise Reed that being mayor is a tough job, but have fun doing it.

"Don't lose your sense of humor or your human perspective," she said. "Do the best you can every day. Work hard. Be honest. Sounds like your mother sending you off to first grade, doesn't it?"

As for what grade she'll give herself as mayor: "I finished...I made it to the goal line."