Holding Atlanta City Government Accountable

It took the Atlanta Journal Constitution (as well as its online counterpart, ajc.com ) two days longer than it took Creative Loafing to publish the following story. Today's edition of the AJC tells us of Steve Cover's resignation -- which happened two days ago -- while glossing over the "real" story in the line I have bolded below. Conversely, Creative Loafing didn't shy away from admitting that "Cover’s department has been at the center of an unlikely controversy... ". Anyone wonder why the AJC's subscription rates are down? Here's today's AJC article: "Atlanta Planning and Community Development Commissioner Steve Cover is leaving to work at a leading planning and design firm in the city. Cover will join the HOK Planning Group, where he will be a vice president and senior member of its global planning, urban design and landscape architecture practice. Cover, whose current annual salary is about $151,000, joined the city in January 2...

From the Atlanta Journal Constitution... "Atlanta ranked 19th on a list of sustainable cities by an environmental Web site, up from 38. SustainLane Media gave Atlanta credit for leading the Southeast in energy-efficient buildings and a “no net loss” policy for trees. ".... more Whoa, stop right there! Do environmental organizations like SustainLane Media now rank cities based on policies alone? Does it not matter that these policies are not enforced? Does it not matter that regardless of policy, we are suffering a net LOSS in trees every day in the city of Atlanta due to illegal tree cutting? Does it not matter that our City Arborist Division is not enforcing the Tree Ordinance? Or, is all that's needed to be GREEN is to have "green" policies? If so, let's light a fire under our city's policy writers so that we can be the #1 sustainable city next year! Sheldon Schlegman fired off this note to SustainLane Media this morning... From: sheldon schlegman To:...

From the 9/23/08 Fulton County Taxpayers Foundation E-Letter: "Dear Members and Supporters, Since the firing of Tom Coffin, there have been numerous reports of trees being removed all over Atlanta. It is unclear whether the permits are valid or if the companies that remove these trees are insured and bonded. If this is happening in your neighborhood, we urge you to contact City Council. Some of you have already done so and it is now on their radar. Which brings us to the issue of performance metrics for all City employees. How can any business function without performance evaluations for their employees? How could you determine if the work is being done up to standard? Why won't Mayor Franklin's office adopt performance metrics? Isn't the Mayor interested in who is doing what and how? WE ARE.... Our next luncheon will be held on October 29th at 103 West, noon to 1:30pm. Our keynote speaker will be Tom Coffin, former Senior Arborist for the City of Atlanta. He will be ...

From Creative Loafing... "City of Atlanta Planning Commissioner Steve Cover has resigned. According to a department spokeswoman, he submitted his written resignation this morning. He’ll officially leave the department on Oct. 3, after which he’ll join HOK Planning Group . Deputy Commissioner James Shelby will be acting commissioner. Cover’s department has been at the center of an unlikely controversy involving the firing of Tom Coffin, a senior field arborist with the city. City Hall’s kept mum as to why the arborist was dropped off the payroll — which in itself isn’t too strange, as commenting could lead to a lawsuit. Nonetheless, that silence has helped fuel speculation that Coffin was edged out to appease the development community."... more

This news just in from an email I received from Tom Coffin at 6:03PM this evening: "A short while ago I got a phone call from Frank Mobley saying that he had gotten an email at 5 min to 5 p.m. in which Planning Commissioner Steven Cover announced his resignation, apparently effectively immediately." I don't have any more information about this resignation. However, a rather testy email exchange occurred this afternoon between a couple of community advocates and Mayor Franklin, and she copied Steve Cover on her replies. So, as of this afternoon, I suppose he was still "in". Things happen fast. Stay tuned... I have to go cook dinner for the kids and other real life stuff right now, but I'll be back online tonight.

From Creative Loafing... The real-life Lorax sent word this morning that the city’s investigation into his termination is now complete: "I received word from HR investigator Al Elder that his investigation is complete and is now undergoing executive review. I assume that “executive review” means that the report is now on the mayor’s desk, though Mr. Elder declined to clarify who is doing the review. I have been given no time frame for a decision and don’t know if the review will take days or weeks or months.".... more

From the Buckhead Reporter... "The Community Development/Human Resources Committee of the Atlanta City Council added a dimension to the abrupt firing of the city's senior arborist, Tom Coffin, by approving unanimously Aug. 26 a resolution authorizing an independent audit of the Arborist Division of the Bureau of Buildings. That action took place amid an atmosphere in which the mayor's chief operating officer, Gregory Giornelli, and the top leadership of the Department of Planning and Development and its Bureau of Buildings maneuvered to try to stop the action by the committee." ... more

From: Linda Trower Sent: Wednesday, September 03, 2008 1:37 PM The council vote for the audit of the Arborist Division was unanimous 14-0. We owe our councilmembers, especially Mary Norwood, a big thank you. Any news from the HR (sham) investigation? Linda