Cynthia,
There is a serious effort in the House of Representatives to lead the country out of the recession. Led by Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, most believe this may be the first time the Speaker has done so. Her leadership made the Economic Stimulus Package (tax rebates) doable. Now she's focused on those initiatives that were impossible the first time around. The national media has covered the Frank Bill and Farm Bill more extensively than the Atlanta Journal Constitution. Imagine committing the country to more debt to help middle and low income families in this challenging time. She's willing to make the commitment when leadership is needed whether it feels good or not.
Good government is good politics all the time. That's my motto. Fix what is broken and move the government forward so that people can benefit now and in the future. Why not put the blot on Mayor Hartsfield and others for not fixing the sewers? How much would the repairs have cost 40 years ago? They were needed then. And how ridiculous that I am "blotted" for taking a stand to upgrade water when the state continues to disappoint. Is there a double standard for leadership? Those who lead are criticized and those who watch are ignored? Your shallow analysis discourages leadership. Perhaps you should pull the headlines that said water rates would triple in five years without the sales tax. Or revisit whether headlines were appropriate after the MOST passed the General Assembly or the voters by 75% or 71%. You quickly conclude my record is blotted. Did you think I was running for prom queen, a one night stand? Or do you fully comprehend the challenges facing big city mayors in an era without a federal partner in the White House or a Georgia revenue sharing formula for cities that mirrors West Virginia rather than the 48 other states? Boston receives 25% of its’ operating budget from state revenue sharing and it's not an exception. That's more likely the rule. Georgia is the exception. I'll take the "blotted" reputation if the city is better off when I leave office in 20 months.
Speaker Pelosi is a better role model than the ones you must be using. She leads from the front on the tough issues. She doesn't whine or complain. She develops the plan based on facts and research (hence the Summits), not politics or fiction and builds consensus for aggressive, timely solutions. You seem to prefer the "get elected, duck and hide model". Too bad for you and your readers that you don't comprehend the full breadth of reform that this city, state and country desperately needs. Clean water costs money and always will. First class government services cost money and always will. When the state and the federal government don't fund local government the burden falls to local leaders and government to step up. Regardless of the strength or weakness of leadership at other levels of government as Mayor my job is to promote economic development, efficiency and cost effectiveness in the delivery of municipal services, while operating with transparency and honesty. The last few years represent a new high for Atlanta "blots" or not.
Shirley Franklin