Friday, April 10, 2009, 3:25 PM
Opinion, Georgia, Politics
By Stephanie Ramage

Mayor Shirley Franklin's Response to The Sunday Paper

Much to my chagrin, I just found this note from Mayor Shirley Franklin in our spam filter. 

Apparently, our filter didn't like her assistant's email, because Mayor Franklin's later response, to my column "Solve the Riddle and Save Atlanta," which will be published in this weekend's edition, came from her own email and I got it. I am very sorry for the delay. This is why it's important to call and follow up if you don't get a response to an email. 

Mayor Franklin sent this email on March 30 in response to our cover story, "Mayor's Office lashes out" (March 29). I sincerely regret that this happened and will publish it in the print edition on April 22. 

Here is Mayor Franklin's  response

"I stand on my record of transparency and openness to public review and a free press, as they are the foundation of American democracy. Over the last few years, we've relied on Linder Associates and the Atlanta Police Foundation for our plans and reports. We stand on the veracity and integrity of our reports. We may differ on what a mayor might do. Then again only one of us took the chance to run and serve. In a few months you could seek public office and make changes as you see fit. I will stick to my knitting, which is running the city rather than analyzing your motives or responding to the strange approach you’ve taken in this article."—Shirley Franklin

Catherine H. Woodling
Media Relations Officer, City of Atlanta

"What an odd little note." x 2


Well now we know where her assistant gets it.

Lets revisit this one:

"We may differ on what a mayor might do."

Fair enough.

"Then again only one of us took the chance to run and serve."

Leave out 'Then again' and you might have had a point Mayor. But you included it so this how I interpret what you said:

"We may differ on what a mayor might do" but I am the only one who is Mayor so your suggestions are invalid.


hummm... I dunno Mayor. That sounds a little pompous.


"In a few months you could seek public office and make changes as you see fit."

No no no! Bad Mayor. Your position is also a foundation of "American democracy".

"I will stick to my knitting, which is running the city..."

Well I think that is Stephanie's point Mayor Franklin. Your knitting has resulted in a shortfall in Public Safety. If you do in fact 'run' the city then you are the go to gal right?

"... rather than analyzing your motives..."

That makes sense cause that's the Journalists job.

"...or responding to the strange approach you’ve taken in this article. "- Shirley Franklin

But you did respond. Well kind of. I don't hear you telling the public, which is what you do when you write reporters, that you going to do anything different than you have been.

Mayor Franklin as a citizen of this city I question your strategy of not adjusting your strategy given the current state of affairs. I am certain that is my job.

I would like to think that you are doing everything in your power to prepare this city for the years to come. Your term may be ending, however the City will still need tending to when you leave.

It doesn't take a Mayor to be a Mayor. It takes a citizen who is willing to commit to the FULL term of their position. Even if a crisis hits in the 11th hour.

These next few months are going to define your term. People don't remember how the city was when you got it. That memory is attached to Bill Campbell. No, they are only going to remember how you left it.

It's a rotten deal but it's the one you signed up for. I thank you for your years of service to Atlanta. Your dedication is not in question.

I think that we are all asking you to roll up your sleeves one more time for this city that serves so many.

Anonymous
Friday, April 10, 2009 at 6:44 PM

Well Stephanie, I guess you won't be getting a Christmas card from the mayor's office this year. Maybe Christmas cards aren't part of her "knitting" anyway.

Anonymous
Saturday, April 11, 2009 at 2:57 PM