Atlanta City Councilwoman Felicia Moore asked to see city financial records after the “street committee” contacted the veteran policymaker with rumors, concerns and complaints about hefty raises for a select few. Five Watershed Department employees received bumps that were later rescinded by Mayor Kasim Reed. Then, Moore fielded a call from Channel 2 Action News investigative reporter Richard Belcher, seeking comment about so-called “hardship payouts” that had been awarded to officials for unused sick and vacation time.
That, too, was news to Moore. She wanted answers. City financial data might provide them, she thought. However, Reed has denied access. Moore, known as a fiscal watchdog, told me she plans to continue her fight for access to municipal financial records as well as government transparency. It might mean picketing City Hall or taking other measures. Accessing data, she said, shouldn’t be solely for her and other council members, but for the public, too.
Q: How did we get here?
A: I went from being stonewalled, to getting some information, to none at all, and they are fighting me to provide information in a timely manner. I'm on the "do not call" list. I call people. They don't call me back. I didn't want to fight the battle for (information) on six to eight programs, so I narrowed it to one simple thing: access to all accounts payable, a read-only access of disbursements leaving the city. I thought if I narrowed it to that, then surely I should be able to see that information.
Q: What have citizens said about the standoff?
A: It's a public trust issue. The public is distrustful of government. In dealing with this issue, it's been overwhelming the response I get from the public. I have been overwhelmed by people watching this who say, "Do not give up this fight. It's too important." What I am asking for is put online in many places. The public shouldn't have to (file) a Freedom of Information Request and wait days and months and have the request drawn out.
Q: What's been the reaction of council members and other city colleagues?
A: My focus is educating the public. When I am on the dais or attend committee meetings, you can hear crickets around here. I have always done things on my own. My dad never wanted to hear about what other people were doing to make a difference. If I am doing the right thing, I don't need a crowd. In terms of getting information, I am not the only council member with that concern. I know people in the public and in the media have had problems with that. This is not about me. It's about the issue. When colleagues appear to support me, it puts them in the line of being attacked. I'm not asking anyone to get embattled with this.
Q: Mayor Reed said you appear to be running for council president and publicly deemed your query a "naked power grab." Your response?
A: I just got re-elected. This is about access. The personal attacks are to deflect from the issue and sully my credibility so people won't listen to me. I didn't pick up this issue to run for anything else. Most people know my history and me. People have seen 17 years of me doing the same thing.
Q: What outcome do you want to see?
A: I want it to be clear that I want to get access for elected officials, if they choose to have it, and public access to information via our website. All these other cities are putting stuff online. Even the state of Georgia posts audits, salaries and reimbursements to employees on its website for the public to view. To me, this is much ado about nothing.
Atlanta City Councilwoman Felicia Moore represents District 9.
