Atlanta City Councilmember Felicia Moore
Atlanta City Councilmember Felicia Moore

Atlanta City Councilmember Felicia Moore’s request to access the city’s financial database was met with a chilly reception from Mayor Kasim Reed. Moore requested access to Oracle, the city’s financial reporting system, as controversy continues to swirl over high-dollar payouts for unused sick time and holidays to Atlanta Police Chief George Turner and others.

Here is part of the letter to Moore and the rest of the council signed by Reed:

Direct Councilmember access to financial data through Oracle represents a breach of the separation of governmental powers. Accordingly, the answer to your request is no. Council has never been provided unilateral access during any previous Administration and we are not going to start now. The Executive Branch will continue to respond to requests received from both internal and external constituents in accordance with the Georgia Open Records Act.

I refuse to allow you to drag us down the road of divisive Washington-style politics when this administration has gone out of its way to work cooperatively with the Atlanta City Council. Your request is nothing more than a naked power grab designed to solely advance your personal political purposes.

Moore will respond to those allegations and discuss her request for transparency during a news conference at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 22, at 10:30 a.m. in Committee Room 2 at City Hall.

Collin Kelley is the executive editor of Atlanta Intown, Georgia Voice, and the Rough Draft newsletter. He has been a journalist for nearly four decades and is also an award-winning poet and novelist.

4 replies on “Power grab? Reed vs. Moore over city financial records”

  1. Not sure I understand. If Council reviews and approves the annual city budget, why is it unreasonable for Council to know and see how the monies are being spent. Mayor Reed got caught in a questionable expenditure and should make any and all records available to Council and to the voting public.

  2. Not sure I understand. If Council reviews and approves the annual city budget, why is it unreasonable for Council to know and see how the monies are being spent. Mayor Reed got caught in a questionable expenditure and should make any and all records available to Council and to the voting public.

  3. Those disgusted with Reed’s antics might not be able to limit his power or compel consequences; but you can put in motion actions to send consequences to his EGO.

    Let’s not a SINGLE reference to the Falcon’s new stadium pass without invoking the phrase “Kasim’s Sphincter.”

    How wonderful would it be if the definitive statement of Kasim Reed’s tenure, THE seminal statement as it were, was as follows:

    “Arthur Blank owns Kasim’s Sphincter.”

    Now that might be a legacy worth making viral, would it not?

  4. Those disgusted with Reed’s antics might not be able to limit his power or compel consequences; but you can put in motion actions to send consequences to his EGO.

    Let’s not a SINGLE reference to the Falcon’s new stadium pass without invoking the phrase “Kasim’s Sphincter.”

    How wonderful would it be if the definitive statement of Kasim Reed’s tenure, THE seminal statement as it were, was as follows:

    “Arthur Blank owns Kasim’s Sphincter.”

    Now that might be a legacy worth making viral, would it not?

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