Mayor Franklin provided travel information and a written response to Creative Loafing columnist John Sugg, nearly three weeks ago. While the Mayor responded openly and quickly to Mr. Sugg his column did not reflect that so an updated response is provided here.
"I have requested the City of Atlanta Ethics Officer provide an opinion on the issue. My request was made in writing via email three weeks ago after Ms. Looney and I exchanged emails prior to the Creative Loafing column but following a Creative Loafing Open Records Requests made to Janice Davis, Chief Financial Officer for my travel records. There is ambiguity in the Ethics Code according to written communication I have received from Looney. At her suggestion I requested a formal review and opinion. I await her and the Board's finding , recommendation and possibly changes to the Code to reflect the clarity that is missing now. Creative Loafing knows all this and received my statement three weeks ago.
I haven't read the Creative Loafing column and I may not but I suspect Mr. Sugg didn't like my answer. As someone who has promoted transparency and strong ethical practices for myself and city government I am no stranger to the debate that surrounds developing best practices. Like any other person Mr. Anderson has a right to object or complain. I retain my right to express my opinion as well. It is much easier to complain than to develop and implement progressive, fair and transparent policies than it is to complain. Given the specific circumstances in this case I am not sure Mr. Anderson's complaint is well founded but instead seems to be a political move since he knows that I have previously requested clarification or recommendations from the Ethics Officer."
Shirley Franklin,
Mayor