By Scott Taylor, Bob Peterson, Jim Shelton & Trent Germano
ATLANTA (Oct. 30, 2009) - Why is a
group of Republican businessmen backing the one candidate running as a Democrat
in the Atlanta mayoral race? Because
we believe Kasim Reed has demonstrated his ability to lead Atlanta in a
progressive and fiscally responsible manner.
As mayor
of Atlanta, Kasim Reed will:
- - Make Atlanta a safer, greener and more
efficiently run city
- - Work with the state to attract new jobs
and businesses to the city
- - Hire and promote city employees based
on merit
As business
owners, we have had to make tough choices over the past 18 months as we try to
sustain our business model and maintain a good work environment for our associates.
The city of Atlanta faces these same challenges, and we need a leader who is
capable of quickly understanding the issues and making difficult decisions.
Kasim Reed is that leader.
Over the
past 11 years, Kasim has demonstrated leadership in numerous ways. His consolidation of the city of
Atlanta’s Municipal and Traffic courts saves the city $7 million-10 million
annually. Kasim worked through the
last day of the 2009 Legislative Session to restore $900 million in tax allocation district (TAD) funding for
the BeltLine project. Thanks to
Senator Reed, Atlantans are paying only 60% of the cost of our water and sewer
repairs; the other 40% of the cost are being borne by non-Atlanta
residents.
Atlanta’s
challenges are increasingly regional - from natural resources to transportation
to public safety. Sourcing
adequate drinking water, solving traffic congestion, providing cost effective
public transportation, and eliminating gangs are challenges that blur city and
county lines. Senator Reed is the
only candidate who has worked across county and party lines to pass
legislation. His legislative
relationships have already paid off for Atlanta, and they will continue to do
so given the broad base of support he has received from state and national
legislators.
We do not
only want a safe city, we want the SAFEST city. We do not only want a green
city, we want the GREENEST city. We do not want a city that provides good
public services; we want a city that provides OUTSTANDING public services. We
want Atlanta to be a city people want to be a part of, raise their families in,
and run their businesses successfully. We will only achieve those goals by
having a leader focused on our future, with an attainable vision and
collaborative style.
Leadership
does not mean telling people what they want to hear -- it means telling them
the truth. What we have observed, firsthand, is that what Kasim says to the Metro
Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, he also says to the Labor Unions. His words and his actions are
consistent. Now more than ever,
our great city needs true, unbiased leadership in the spirit of Ivan Allen,
William Hartsfield, Andrew Young and Maynard Jackson not just to keep our
region at the top but take us to a new level.
Kasim Reed is that leader, and we proudly stand shoulder to
shoulder with him.
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