Yesterday, Mayor Franklin released her statement on Ms. Norwood’s comments relative to the “City’s Enron accounting” and I refrained from making a statement because I had a call with the candidate at 2PM that day. During the call I explained to Ms. Norwood that “Enron Accounting” meant fraud and I stated that during my 10 months I have seen no evidence of such criminal activity. To use the terminology she used Sunday night during the mayoral debate was a direct affront to not only my integrity but that of all of the employees in the Department of Finance. It has also had the impact of taking some of the steam out of our workforce at a very critical time of the year as we are closing the books for fiscal year 2010 and closing out fiscal year 2009. Under my leadership we have done everything possible to be transparent to the Council and to the public about the City’s finances. During my phone call with Ms. Norwood, she apologized profusely and said she recognized the efforts our department was making to correct antiquated financial practices. She also stated that she had made a public comment correcting her allegation against the Finance Department, but I have not seen any such public statement of support for the important work we are doing every day.
As I read Ms. Norwood’s response to the Mayor’s comments today--it is apparent that there is no public apology or regret forthcoming regarding her comments Sunday night. I am extremely disappointed that she has demonstrated a lack of courage to publicly make such an apology to the members of the Department of Finance and attempt to amend some of the damage she has done.
Jim Glass
Chief Financial Officer
City of Atlanta
###
For more information about this and services of the City of Atlanta visit our website at www.atlantaga.gov or watch City Channel 26