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Common Cause opposes public funding for new Falcons stadium

by Maria Saporta February 1, 2013 2:55 pmFebruary 17, 2023 3:10 pm

By Maria Saporta

Common Cause Georgia will do all it can to prevent any public funds from being used to build a new stadium for the Atlanta Falcons.

Willam Perry, executive director of Common Cause Georgia, said at the Sustainable Atlanta Roundtable meeting Friday morning that his organization was going to try to get a bill introduced to stop the hotel-motel tax from being used to finance the proposed $1 billion stadium.

In the 2010 session, the General Assembly authorized that the hotel-motel tax collected in the City of Atlanta’s and in unincorporated Fulton County could be extended to build a new stadium as long as it was built on property owned by the Georgia World Congress Center (GWCC).

Kelly Loeffler of ICE has “little bandwidth” to run for U.S. Senate

by Maria Saporta January 31, 2013 1:32 pmFebruary 17, 2023 3:10 pm

By Maria Saporta

Atlanta Dream co-owner Kelly Loeffler is flattered to be mentioned as a possible U.S Senate candidate, but right now her life is all-consuming.

Loeffler, who is also vice president of investor relations and corporate communications at Intercontinental Exchange (ICE), has been mentioned by Republican insiders in Georgia who would like to bring new names into the 2014 race for Senate to succeed U.S. Senator Saxby Chambliss (R-Georgia). The U.S. Senate race also is expected to open up a series of congressional seats as well.

Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed: Too bad transportation secretary Ray LaHood is leaving Obama administration

by Maria Saporta January 30, 2013 3:07 pmFebruary 17, 2023 3:10 pm

By Maria Saporta

Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed is disappointed that U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood is stepping down.

Reed and LaHood had developed a strong relationship over the past four years — a relationship that has been beneficial for both Atlanta and Georgia.

“I really wanted Secretary LaHood to continue because he could not have been a more active transportation secretary,” Reed said after the Buckhead Coalition’s annual meeting on Wednesday.

Atlanta Housing Authority meeting canceled; Renee Glover to stay on

by Maria Saporta January 30, 2013 11:34 amFebruary 17, 2023 3:10 pm

By Maria Saporta

Never mind.

The board of the Atlanta Housing Authority, which was to have met Wednesday to vote on a separation agreement with CEO Renee Glover, has cancelled that meeting due to the lack of a quorum.

An earlier story on SaportaReport said that the board was going to be acting on that separation agreement at the meeting.

Atlanta Housing Authority board may vote Wednesday on a separation agreement with CEO Renee Glover

by Maria Saporta January 29, 2013 11:39 pmFebruary 17, 2023 3:10 pm

By Maria Saporta

The board of the Atlanta Housing Authority is scheduled to meet Wednesday Jan. 30 afternoon— one that could be Renee Glover’s last as the organization’s president and CEO.

It is thought that Glover and the AHA board will say that they’re parting ways, and the board is expected to vote on her separation agreement.

Gov. Nathan Deal

Gov. Nathan Deal: ‘incumbent on us’ to not lose the Falcons to Los Angeles

by Maria Saporta January 29, 2013 3:04 pmFebruary 17, 2023 3:10 pm

By Maria Saporta

Gov. Nathan Deal said Tuesday it would be a big loss for the state if the Atlanta Falcons were to move to Los Angeles.

Los Angeles, one of the top media markets in the country, has been seeking a football team for years. Reportedly, Arthur Blank has told Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed and other officials that he has been approached by Los Angeles leaders who are interested in him moving the Falcons to the Southern California city.

“It’s incumbent on us to make sure we don’t lose the franchise,” Deal said after being recognized as the 2013 Georgian of the Year by Georgia Trend magazine at its annual 100 Most Influential Georgians luncheon.

Peggy Still Johnson to be new executive director of Callanwolde

by Maria Saporta January 28, 2013 8:42 pmFebruary 17, 2023 3:10 pm

By Maria Saporta

The Callawolde Fine Arts Center has named Peggy Still Johnson as its new executive director.

Johnson will begin her new job on Feb. 4. The announcement was made Monday by the Callanwolde board of directors.

Johnson is not a newcomer to business or the arts – she is a successful entrepreneur and an accomplished piano and vocal performer, composer, arranger, and arts educator, according to the press release.

Demming Bass resigning as Cobb Chamber’s chief operating officer

by Maria Saporta January 28, 2013 8:19 pmFebruary 17, 2023 3:10 pm

By Maria Saporta

Demming Bass, chief operating officer of the Cobb Chamber of Commerce, announce he is resigning from the organization.

But don’t start speculating about whether he’s headed to another chamber. Bass said he is going to “pursue some exciting opportunities outside of the Chamber world.”

But most importantly, Bass wrote in an email that he intends to create “some special memories through long-put-off travel plans with my twin girls, Ashley and Reagan, before they start school. Time is fleeting and only gives you a few rare windows of opportunity to take advantage of them before they’re gone.”

Gov. Nathan Deal, State of State, 2015

Gov. Nathan Deal: Would be nice if legislature didn’t have to vote on Falcons stadium-GWCCA bonds

by Maria Saporta January 25, 2013 2:12 pmFebruary 17, 2023 3:10 pm

By Maria Saporta

Gov. Nathan Deal confirmed Friday morning that the Atlanta Falcons and the state are exploring options that would not require approval from the state legislature.

But Deal said it is too early to know whether that would be possible.

“We are sort of in a waiting period right now,” Deal said after a press conference announcing a major expansion of AirWatch’s operations in the Atlanta region.

John Lewis, civil rights leader and congressman, to be awarded with Georgia Tech’s Ivan Allen Prize

by Maria Saporta January 24, 2013 12:42 amFebruary 17, 2023 3:10 pm

By Maria Saporta

The 2013 recipient of the Ivan Allen Jr. Prize for Social Courage will be U.S. Rep. John Lewis (D-Georgia), a civil rights leader and public servant.

Lewis, who has become known as the conscience of the U.S. Congress, will be awarded $100,000 prize by Georgia Tech’s Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts at a luncheon on April 4.

“John Lewis put his life on the line for many years during the 1960s to bring about equality under the law for all Americans,” said Georgia Tech President Bud Peterson in a release. “His unflinching civil rights leadership and ongoing advocacy for social change throughout his career have elevated the causes of human rights around the world. It is our privilege to honor the life and work of Congressman Lewis through the Ivan Allen Jr. Prize for Social Courage.”

New stadium deal in the works — bonding capacity could shift from state to the City of Atlanta

by Maria Saporta January 22, 2013 7:03 pmFebruary 17, 2023 3:09 pm

By Maria Saporta

A revised deal for a new stadium currently is being negotiated whereby the Georgia Legislature would not have to vote on increasing the bonding capacity of Georgia World Congress Center to $300 million.

Currently negotiations are underway at the Governor’s mansion between Gov. Nathan Deal, the Atlanta Falcons and the City of Atlanta where the bonding capacity would shift from the state to the city.

No matter which governmental entity would end up issuing the bonds for the $1 billion project, the deal would not change substantially. The $300 million bond package would continue to be backed by the existing hotel-motel taxes that are collected in the City of Atlanta. The Falcons and the National Football League would cover two-thirds of the stadium’s cost.

Atlanta Falcons have helped revive community spirit — win or lose

by Maria Saporta January 21, 2013 10:47 amFebruary 17, 2023 3:09 pm

By Maria Saporta

The energy — and the tension — in the Georgia Dome on Sunday captures a feeling that has been lost in recent years — a feeling of being in the game.

The last five years have been tough for Atlanta, a city used to being an economic star in the country. The Great Recession hit Atlanta harder than most other cities because it targeted the real estate and banking — two industries that had helped build Atlanta.

And yet, during Sunday’s game between the Atlanta Falcons and the San Francisco 49ers, the city’s troubles are put aside as people rallied behind a team that is only one win away from the Super Bowl.

Muhammad Yunus wants closer ties with Atlanta — a bank and more

by Maria Saporta January 18, 2013 11:45 amFebruary 17, 2023 3:09 pm

By Maria Saporta

Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Muhammad Yunus would like to set up a Grameen Bank (which means village bank) in Atlanta.

All he needs is for someone to champion the effort to provide $6 million over four years to help create a self-sustaining bank that will offer micro-loans to the poor and give them an opportunity to go into business for themselves.

Yunus was in Atlanta Friday morning speaking to an influential group of business and civic leaders as part of the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation speaker series.

Shirley Franklin joining LBJ School of Public Affairs in Austin, Texas

by Maria Saporta January 15, 2013 9:58 pmFebruary 17, 2023 3:09 pm

By Maria Saporta

Former Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin will be splitting her loyalties between Atlanta and Austin.

The University of Texas in Austin announced that Franklin has joined the LBJ School of Public Affairs as the Barbara Jordan Visiting Professor in Ethics and Political Values.

In a Facebook posting Tuesday, Franklin wrote: “I am proud to be joining the University of Texas-Austin LBJ School of Public Affairs as the Barbara Jordan Visiting Professor……..Atlanta will be my home most of the time but it is an honor I simply could not pass up.”

11th Circuit Court upholds earlier ruling against Homeless Task Force

by Maria Saporta January 15, 2013 4:08 pmFebruary 17, 2023 3:09 pm

By Maria Saporta

The Eleventh Circuit U.S. District Court has upheld a lower court ruling giving the City of Atlanta a major victory in the federal case involving the Metropolitan Atlanta Task Force for the Homeless.

The ruling was released today — Jan. 15 — nearly 16 months after U.S. District Judge Thomas Thrash had ruled in favor of the city in every element of the lawsuit. Click here for earlier SaportaReport story on Judge Thrash’s ruling on Sept. 22, 2011.

It is yet one more legal decision that has been handed down against the Task Force, which continues to occupy the Peachtree-Pine building in downtown Atlanta.

Gov. Nathan Deal

Gov. Nathan Deal said Atlanta Falcons’ success helps stadium’s chances

by Maria Saporta January 15, 2013 2:43 pmFebruary 17, 2023 3:09 pm

By Maria Saporta

Gov. Nathan Deal said the Atlanta Falcons’ win on Sunday might help the team win support at the Georgia General Assembly.

“Anytime people good about something, it is good,” said Deal, adding that a win Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers would be even more significant. “I certainly think winning the game will be positive.”

That said, the governor said it is highly unlikely he will be able to attend Sunday’s game. A brother-in-law passed away this past weekend, and the memorial service will be this Sunday out of town. And Deal is on the program.

Atlanta region faces a number of tough issues over the next decade

by Maria Saporta January 14, 2013 6:34 pmFebruary 17, 2023 3:09 pm

By Maria Saporta

Metro Atlanta in 2023 will be older, more diverse and more compact.

Those were some of the conclusions that several local leaders shared at the Sustainable Atlanta Roundtable on Friday, Jan. 11.

Their task was to describe how Atlanta might evolve in the next decade.

Lockhart: growth to stay slow in 2013

by Maria Saporta January 14, 2013 2:29 pmFebruary 17, 2023 3:09 pm

By Maria Saporta

Economic growth in 2013 will be much like economic growth in 2012 — slow, according to Dennis Lockhart, president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.

Lockhart gave his annual economic forecast to the Rotary Club of Atlanta Monday — stating that the views he shared were his own rather than official policy from the Fed.

“So we begin the year in a mode of slow overall growth, tolerable inflation and gradual progress on unemployment,” Lockhart said. “Over the last months, our narrative has not changed much.
The continuing theme is slow growth hovering around 2 percent. This rate of growth is below potential and compares unfavorably with past recoveries. We remain in a long slog.”

Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed: Georgia will be a blue state in 2016

by Maria Saporta January 10, 2013 9:19 pmFebruary 17, 2023 3:10 pm

By Maria Saporta

Looking into a crystal ball, Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed predicted Thursday that Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will be the Democratic nominee for president.

And in 2016, she and her husband, former President Bill Clinton, will invest time and money in Georgia. Because the Clintons have had such a strong relationship and history with Georgia, the state will go to the Democrats in the general presidential election.

Reed spoke Thursday at the Atlanta Press Club’s Newsmaker luncheon held at the Commerce Club.

Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed tells Kiwanis that ‘surviving is not enough’

by Maria Saporta January 8, 2013 2:28 pmFebruary 17, 2023 3:10 pm

By Maria Saporta

Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed did not mention to members of the Kiwanis Club of Atlanta on Tuesday that he is running for re-election this year.

But he did make sure to honor a decades-long tradition Tuesday of being the first speaker each year to address the Atlanta Kiwanis.

On Jan. 5, 2010, Reed continued the tradition set by his predecessors, speaking to the group only one day after being inaugurated. And he has followed suit this year.