Atlanta City Council 2008: Courtesy of Fox 5 NewsThe Atlanta City Council stopped regular proceedings as Mayor Franklin and City Council members communicated during the open session on September 2, 2008. Mayor Franklin advised the council she came to listen to the session and her intent was not to speak, however; she believed that communication issues between her and the City Council should be addressed now. She expressed some vital concerns to City Council members, also stating “if the council had questions for her administration they should receive answers, as well the communication should be improved amongst the City Council and the Mayor’s Administration.”
Mayor Franklin addressed the council before the vote to override her veto for reopening Fire Station 7 on September 2. Mayor Franklin informed the Council, a press conference was held by some Council members before she was contacted about the decisions by the council to reopen Fire Station 7. Mayor Franklin stated she received only one call from Council Woman Winslow about the Councils decision.
Several City Council Members spoke to Mayor Franklin; City Council members addressed the priorities of the council and reasons they chose to override her veto. One Council Member advised Mayor Franklin how many times calls went to her office requesting to speak to her or to meet with the Mayor prior to the decision to override and reopen Fire Station 7 and no response from her or the administration was received.
Mary Norwood asked the Mayor what she would do to help reopen Fire Station 7 if the Council voted not to override the veto. Mayor Franklin told Council Woman Norwood she did not come to ask then not to override the veto, she stated she does not trade for votes; she stated she will never trade for votes and she prefers that each issue stands on its on merit.
The Mayor stated that there were too many conversations and no communication occurring between her and the City Council. Mayor Franklin told City Council Members she wants the city to be in the “black” before she leaves office; as well from now until her term is complete the council should expect stricter spending curves to be enforced by her administration, until she is no longer in office. Mayor Franklin commented on hearing “she has been called the sewer Mayor”; however she stated “if the council decided to call me something I preferred to be called Cleopatra”, as she left the microphone.
To override the Mayors veto the council votes must be two thirds of the body. Council Woman Felicia Moore agreed with some of the statements from Mayor Franklin’s letter, stating if the Council would override the veto more stringent cuts will occur by Mayor Franklin’s administration.
The final vote to override the Mayors veto and reopen Fire Station 7 was 11 yays 3 nays. Council woman Felicia Moore voted to override the Mayor’s veto to reopen Fire Station 7, however; she warned her colleague’s, without communications with the Mayor, the cuts made in the General fund will again come before the council. Once Mayor Franklin reviews how the council transferred 1.2 M from the General Funds Budget to Fire Station 7 budget and the specific department budget cuts she will make her own determinations and this decision will become like a carousel per Council Woman Moore.