Must-reads coming in Sunday AJC for Nov. 1

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The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

This Sunday’s AJC will include more than four pages previewing Tuesday’s municipal elections, including the high-profile battle to succeed Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin. Here’s an excerpt of a story gauging the mood of city voters in the days before Election Day:

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Charles Butler is excited about the election but has no clear favorite in the mayoral race. To show his enthusiaism and uncertainty Butler put three of the four candidates' signs, Kasim Reed, Lisa Borders, and Jesse Spikes in his front yard.

Jason Getz, jgetz@ajc.com Charles Butler is excited about the election but has no clear favorite in the mayoral race. To show his enthusiaism and uncertainty Butler put three of the four candidates' signs, Kasim Reed, Lisa Borders, and Jesse Spikes in his front yard.

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Amy Rees and son jack play at the Garden Hills park. Rees, a 7-year city resident, believes her tax money paid to the city is not being properly used and supports Mary Norwood.

Bill Torpy, btorpy@ajc.com Amy Rees and son jack play at the Garden Hills park. Rees, a 7-year city resident, believes her tax money paid to the city is not being properly used and supports Mary Norwood.

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Southwest Atlanta homeowner Charles Butler, like many city residents, is unsure about which candidate he’ll vote for mayor on Tuesday.

The indecision is evident on his large, well-manicured front lawn. Butler, who lives on the same street as outgoing Mayor Shirley Franklin, has a campaign sign for candidates Lisa Borders, Kasim Reed and Jesse Spikes all next to each other.

Butler, who’s caught some flak from the neighbors about his indecisiveness, says he’ll let front-runner Mary Norwood put a sign on his lawn as well if she’d like

Butler is similar to many Atlantans in another way. He’s worried about the city.

Three Atlanta Journal-Constitution reporters went to five different parts of Atlanta last week and talked to dozens of voters about the campaign and the city in anticipation of Tuesday’s election. These voters said they’re concerned about crime, the city budget, the condition of its roads and sidewalks, the physical appearance of the city and that it seems there are fewer jobs these days in Atlanta.

Some voters blame Franklin. Others blame the recession. Many believe no matter who’s the next mayor, he or she will not be able to fix all of the city’s problems.

“One person can’t solve everything. I don’t care who’s the mayor,” said Christina McLendon, 75, one of Butler’s neighbors.

Through 50 debates, the candidates have captured much of the discontent. Still, many voters say none of the candidates have captured their imagination.

For the rest of the story, see Sunday’s AJC.

Also in the AJC this Sunday, check out these must reads:

-- Flood fallout: Many Georgia counties' insurance maps are badly outdated, with human consequences for those hit by last month’s devastating flooding.

-- The wrangling over Hartsfield-Jackson Airport's new lease with Delta Air Lines brings huge stakes for Atlanta economy and for air travelers.

-- Girl power! How women students have all but taken over historically male-dominated Georgia Tech.

-- Roy Barnes is running for governor as a reform candidate, eschewing lobbyist contributions. But Barnes feasted on lobby money in 2002. Is his conversion genuine or strategic?

Plus full coverage of UGA’s huge upset victory (or not) over the No. 1 Florida Gators in the archrivals’ annual tilt in Jacksonville.

For an even earlier peek at what’s coming in Sunday’s AJC, follow: here

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