Mary Norwood wins firefighters’ endorsement
August 14, 2009 at 12:59 am by Thomas Wheatley in NewsCity Hall insiders were whispering on Thursday that Atlanta mayoral candidate Mary Norwood would receive the valuable endorsement from the city’s firefighters. The rumor surprised some, considering the city councilwoman’s vote in June against the three-mill property tax that has helped end police and firefighter furloughs.
But win the endorsement she did, the AJC’s Eric Stirgus reports. Jim Daws, head of the local chapter of the International Association of Fire Fighters and a lieutenant with the city’s Department of Fire Rescue, told Stirgus that the union weighed Norwood’s overall support of the department in making its decision. The official announcement by the union, which boasts roughly 450 members, will be made today.
(UPDATE): Kasim Reed’s campaign chimes in about Norwood’s endorsement:
“Throughout my career in public service and over the course of this campaign, I have made Public Safety my number one priority. While I am respectful of the decision to endorse another candidate, I am unwavering in my support for our city’s firefighters. The men and women of the Atlanta fire department—who place their lives on the line to protect our families—deserve to have a mayor who will fight for them, day in and day out. If elected mayor, I would be honored to serve them.”
August 14th, 2009 at 11:21 am
Is Atlanta ready for a Republican mayor? We may soon see.
While most of the union members don’t live in the city, the endorsement lends credibility to Norwood’s campaign.
August 14th, 2009 at 11:37 am
Why would the Firfighters endorse a candidate whose policies will lead to more furloughs?
August 14th, 2009 at 12:00 pm
Are you ppl really so dense?
Firefighters don’t need to worry about firefighter furloughs. If their houses catch on fire, they can put out the fires themselves.
I mean, seriously, do I have to explain everything to you people?
August 14th, 2009 at 1:57 pm
Very funny, Andi.
Norwood cynically opposed the tax hike that was essential short term for making ends meet. She’s lucky it passed, or the town that she might be running in January would be bankrupt. Overlooking her cynicism about funding their pay and benefits makes the firefighters equally cynical. What deal did they cut with Mary?
If Borders or Reed wins, which still seems more likely to me than a Norwood win, will the firefighters find themselves on furlough anyway – for backing the wrong horse?
August 14th, 2009 at 2:33 pm
A source inside the campaign tells me Norwood plans pass legislation requiring everything that catches on fire to do so M-F between 9A-4:30P. That way firefighters can get home in time for TMZ.
August 14th, 2009 at 2:39 pm
Fine by me.
August 14th, 2009 at 6:06 pm
The Vote-O-Meter has picked up some changes since the last post on August 4. We believe if the election were held today, Norwood would be at 42%; Reed – 27%; Borders – 25%; Spikes – 5%, and others 1%. Reed has pulled ahead of Borders, probably due to his messages starting to connect and a solid network. Norwood is holding on to her base due to her enthusiasm and energy (but is not making gains). Borders is lagging because of uninspired campaigning and not giving a compelling reason to vote for her. Spikes is generating interest but is not yet convincing people to vote for him.
August 14th, 2009 at 7:27 pm
Right, Handicapper, so assuming you didn’t merely pull the numbers out of the air and the shares don’t worsen for Reed thru November, in the runoff Mary loses to Kasim. (I mean, we’re post-racial but not really, right?)
Firefighters may feel the heat, like I suggested, cos Kasim looks like the kind of guy who doesn’t forget a slight, a bit like his mate Shirl.
August 15th, 2009 at 12:48 pm
No way Kasim is at 27%. What are you smoking?
August 15th, 2009 at 12:57 pm
Actually I misunderstood your post. You’re assuming no undecided, so I think your numbers are closer to reality.