Franklin vows to get city’s finances in order
January 24, 2008 at 3:12 pm by Scott Henry in NewsIn this week’s paper, we report that the city of Atlanta is facing a budget shortfall that could be in the neighborhood of $100 million. The fiscal crunch, says Council Finance Committee Chairman Howard Shook, looks to be the result of a combination of rising expenses, declining revenue, an outdated accounting system and good, old-fashioned screw-ups.
Although Shirley Franklin is away this week, attending a mayors’ conference in Washington, D.C., the story caught her attention. How do we know? Because she posted a comment on our website:
Thanks, CL for covering our current budget challenges. Hooray to CL, Shook and [Clair] Muller for openly discussing this issue. As the article pointed out, the COO and CFO have informed me and the Council about the current challenges. With two years left in my term I expect to have ample time to address these problems and the strengthen the city’s financial position just as we have tackled other tough problems like crumbling sewer, antiquated water system, numerous departmental overhauls, crime and the fifth runway delay. Serving as Mayor or as a Council member isn’t for the fainthearted or thin-skinned. Working hard and smart we’ll tackle the budget challenges successfully.
Thus letting us know she’s on top of the situation. We’ll bring you more information as it unfolds.
January 24th, 2008 at 8:12 pm
Scott, Please don’t let this slice of life from the Shirts to Skirts Coaliton get stale:
My all time favorite Mentor and Guru, GDOT Commissioner Dr Gena Abraham caught some good ole boys with their pants down last night. The way it looks now, they could have all ended up in the Hokey without their Pokeys:
http://www.insideradvantagegeorgia.com/restricted/2008/January%2008/1-23-08/Gena_Over_Promised12319644.php
“(1/23/08) Gena Abraham made her first appearance as DOT commissioner Wednesday before the joint House and Senate Appropriations Committee, and faced hot questioning about why she cancelled a local road project her predecessor had approved.
“I LOVE A LOT OF PEOPLE IN GEORGIA, BUT I DON’T LOVE ANYONE ENOUGH TO GO TO JAIL FOR THEM,†she said, arguing that in the past, the agency over-promised what it could deliver to local governments in a given year, hoping many of them wouldn’t acquire the necessary right of way in time to ask for the bucks. “I HAVE TO HAVE THE MONEY TO BE ABLE TO SIGN A CONTRACT,†she said.â€
oh how the times they are a changin boyz…
January 25th, 2008 at 12:19 pm
I am truly enjoying the fact that the city is so short of money now. Due to some short sightedness ex: closing the bars early and on Sundays – the city has lost out on tons of tax income. Also, more then a few conventions. It has been proven over and over again, the later hours did not have anything to do with the crime rate.