Much of the criticism falling down on Gov. Nathan Deal and Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed can be traced to the optics of a Tuesday luncheon celebrating Reed's award as Georgian of the Year by Georgia Trend magazine.

Just as the snow was hitting metro Atlanta.

The magazine cover was the work of Steve Penley, a Macon artist whose work is largely concentrated in the political world – often Republican. But Penley's posted the following message on his Facebook page for those criticizing the both the Democratic mayor of Atlanta and the state's Republican governor:

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Julian Conley listens during opening statements in his trial at Fulton County Superior Court in Atlanta on Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025. The 25-year-old is accused of fatally shooting 8-year-old Secoriea Turner in July 2020. (Abbey Cutrer/AJC)

Credit: abbey.cutrer@ajc.com