Sunday, September 20, 2009, 10:58 AM
News, Opinion, Politics
By Stephanie Ramage

LISA BORDERS' ETHICS PROBLEM

Neill Herring claims that Borders used her position as Atlanta City Council president to secretly lobby state legislators on behalf of her employer, Cousins Properties.
Follow this link to read more: 

http://www.sundaypaper.com/More/Archives/tabid/98/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/4525/Lisa-Borders-ethics-problem.aspx

Why are we just hearing about this story? Issues like this matter to Atlantans...we can't afford to have another corrupt so-called leader in this city. I've always questions Lisa Borders connection to Cousins Construction. This is bad!

Jeff
Sunday, September 20, 2009 at 11:12 AM

Jeff,

That is an excellent question for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, and one I kept asking myself as I dug through the Ethics Commission file on the case.

This is how I learned about it: A few weeks ago, someone wrote me a nasty note demanding to know why I kept connecting Borders to developers when she doesn't work for Cousins anymore.

Since she was Sr. VP of marketing and government relations, and I was very curious about the second part of that title, I thought I might do a piece explaining this connection that one reader would prefer I not bring up.

My first step was a simple Google of her name and Cousins. One of the first things to come up was the article Atlanta Unfiltered did about the case being dismissed last spring. I didn't see anything at all that the AJC had done about it.

I don't want to categorically state that the AJC didn't report anything, but I haven't found anything they reported on it. If someone does come across such an article, I'd be grateful if they'd send me a link to it.

And yes, you're absolutely right, this does matter. This is important. This is not fluff. Atlantans need to know about Herring's complaint and weigh the evidence carefully before they vote for a mayor. -- Best, Stephanie Ramage

Stephanie
Sunday, September 20, 2009 at 11:36 AM

Any given political race has its bad apple and it appears we've found it as far as mayoral race goes. I'm not willing to take a chance on this character.

AtlantaDay
Sunday, September 20, 2009 at 11:51 AM

To clarify: Her official title was Sr. VP of marketing and external affairs, however, several people commenting on blogs and in emails repeatedly used the term "governmental relations" or "governmental affairs." --SR

Stephanie
Sunday, September 20, 2009 at 11:53 AM

Oh Lazarus. I enjoy how you casually dismiss the fact that the STATE ETHICS COMMISSION said very clearly there isn't enough evidence to pursue this claim. Of course, why should that stop you? It's not like you're a journalist, bound by guiding principles or rules, right?

It's also funny that you don't pursue the odd timing of the Sierra Club complaint. They waited roughly 18 MONTHS to file the claim. Why? During your 1,000 or so words, you could at least question the timing. I have my guess - Because they desperately needed publicity prior to the Nov 2008 vote. As a political move, it was smart. Score one for Sierra Club. But that hardly makes it worth investigating. And don't take my word for it. Take the word of the people whose job it is to consider these things - the STATE ETHICS COMMISSION.

I think your consistent outbursts against Mayor Franklin and Council President Borders beg an even important question - Is Stephanie Ramage racist against African-American women?

I don't necessarily believe she is but I don't have any evidence that she isn't. This is clearly an important question that needs more investigating. Probably best to start a web site and get this going. Who wants to join me at www.IsStephanieRamageRacistAgainstBlackWomen.com?

Just like we need to reopen ethics complaints that were dismissed for lack of evidence, we must also be vigilant that hack local columnists aren't using their limited readership to spread their insidious brand of racism against black women.

Not that it's happening, of course. It's just worth investigating...

Mr. T
Sunday, September 20, 2009 at 12:24 PM

Also, the other weekly newspaper has covered this repeatedly over the past year.

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&safe=off&client=safari&rls=en-us&q=+site:blogs.creativeloafing.com+lisa+borders+ethics&ei=qlq2Ssr6K4LN8QbWsqSTDw&sa=X&oi=manybox&resnum=3&ct=all-results

Mr. T
Sunday, September 20, 2009 at 12:39 PM

And AJC briefed the dismissal.

http://www.ajc.com/ajccars/content/metro/atlanta/stories/2009/05/06/borders_ethics.html

Mr. T
Sunday, September 20, 2009 at 12:43 PM

This is erroneous in so many ways. I really don't see how you can call yourself a journalist.

Writer
Sunday, September 20, 2009 at 12:46 PM

A politician working with a real estate firm that has invested and holds a substantial amount property and capital in Atlanta... THIS IS AN OUTRAGE!
Developers and politicians working together? I mean, really?

You need to do a little more research into the bill that is in question. 2007, SB 200 is a very long winded bill so I understand if you don't want to read all 38 pages of legal speak. A one sentence summary would be: SB200 gave local governments more freedom in partnering with private developers.The bill passed in the Senate 41-11 and the House 121-40.

Having a politician run Atlanta who has deep connections with developers is not a bad thing. All of Cousins developments here in Atlanta have been outstanding projects. They profit off of Atlanta's development aid (sidewalks, traffic lights, sewers, ...) and the City profits from extensive economic growth.

Zak
Sunday, September 20, 2009 at 12:49 PM

Let's get this straight, you thought that these dismissed and unsubstantiated claims have new resonance because...? It would seem that you are trying to CREATE questions around Lisa’s credibility, even with this yellow title through nothing but innuendo.

You are shilling for Kasim through misinformation and clearly have an axe to grind.

Lance
Sunday, September 20, 2009 at 1:01 PM

First, the Ethics Commission is notoriously underfunded and understaffed. Second, allegations with less evidence and no eye-witness accounts have resulted in full hearings and fines.
Third, the comment that the private cities bill would allow governments "more freedom to partner with developers" made me laugh out loud, in fact, I am still laughing. Oh, yes, they're just so limited in doing that aren't they? You know, what we really need is for the executive officers of every development firm in Atlanta to simply take over the mayor's office and city council; that would save us all the trouble of these pesky, expensive elections and would certainly streamline the governmental process. Why don't we begin by electing Borders mayor?

Stephanie
Sunday, September 20, 2009 at 1:32 PM

Stop avoiding this important question - are you racist against black women? I have heard no evidence that you are but I have also heard no evidence that you aren't.

Secondarily, are you on Kasim's payroll? I have also heard someone say that. I have no reason to believe it's true but I haven't heard any evidence that you are not.

It's time you start answering these questions. Glenn Beck would.

Mr. T
Sunday, September 20, 2009 at 1:45 PM

If you don't think the voters should be concerned that Borders is using her Council President's office to lobby on behalf of Cousin's Properties - and that's clearly what she was doing - you're brain dead.

Remember, City of Atlanta had taken no position on the issue.

I don't care what the ethics commission says, either she was using her elected office improperly, or she was lobbying without being registered. It's one or the other.

It's called conflict of interest, and we're lucky we've got a real muckraker like Stephine to bring it to light. You've been listening to the corporate line form the AJC so long, you don't recognize hard-nosed journalism when you read it.

Ramage is dead on, voters should think about why Lisa Borders wants to be mayor. Is it to represent Atlantan's interests, or those of the developers?

Follow the money and you will see that the developers have invested a lot of money in Ms. Borders - with the full expectation of a big return.

As much as qualifications, I want to know why someone wants an elected office.

truth
Sunday, September 20, 2009 at 2:12 PM

No wonder Cousin's pays her $195k.

truth
Sunday, September 20, 2009 at 2:17 PM

You can't have it both ways, Steph. Either the Borders is Lex Luther for having these allegations made against her or she isn't because the claims were dismissed.

You conflate your argument by explaining the DISMISSAL as result of a failed ethics system instead of actual innocence.

Andisheh Nouraee of Creative Loafing has a great piece about Ramage's dishonesty and yellow journalism:

http://www.andy2000.org/2008/12/open-letter-to-sunday-paper.html

Lance
Sunday, September 20, 2009 at 2:22 PM

It appears that Ramage has been sladering people for a while:

http://thedustininmansociety.org/blog/?p=2188

Lance
Sunday, September 20, 2009 at 2:31 PM

@truth,

To be fair, Kasim has had the most money of all the candidates donated to him from developers. By your logic, following the money would lead from developers' pockets to his.

Don't believe me? Read APN:

http://www.atlantaprogressivenews.com/news/0503.html

Tracey Reed
Sunday, September 20, 2009 at 2:37 PM

Consider this: The City of Atlanta is years behind in assessing and collecting impact fees from development projects. You would think that a city as strapped for cash as this one is would be chasing down every dime and you'd think they'd prefer to get those dimes from the big pockets rather than the drivers that I see pulled over every weekday morning from Morningside to Home Park getting written up for speeding.
But you would be wrong. The city has failed to go after those impact fees. Why?
Reed wasn't on the City Council. Norwood was marginalized. Borders credits herself with herding the council. If that's the case, then why did she do nothing in the face of a huge budget shortfall and why did she not exert her influence to go after those impact fees?
People all over City Hall knew those fees were not being collected. Why weren't they?

Stephanie
Sunday, September 20, 2009 at 2:43 PM

You got me - Reed and Borders are both indebted to developers.

truth
Sunday, September 20, 2009 at 3:00 PM

You got me - Reed and Borders are both indebted to developers.

truth
Sunday, September 20, 2009 at 3:03 PM

At this point, it's quite clear Stephanie Ramage has a serious personal, pathological hate for Lisa Borders. And she wonders why the Borders camp won't include her in on media advisories like she cried about a few entries back -- why would they when every time the mayor's race is mentioned, she spits venom like a deranged cobra. Rehashing the ethics complaint that started a year ago and has already been dismissed only serves to confuse Atlantans who still haven't made up their mind about who to vote for. You're using your dubious position with the Sunday Paper to conduct these smear tactics against one candidate with no equal consideration given to others (Spikes, Brownlowe, Keyser, Norwood, or even your buddy Reed). What a hack!

Edwina
Sunday, September 20, 2009 at 6:01 PM

Have you done any investigation into Kasim Reed's representation of Clear Channel and his eight-year arm-twisting to keep them in Chastain Park by using his relationship with the Mayor's office to bully the law department into not breaking Campbell's illegal 25-year contract?

Or what about the Mayor's Office of Contract Compliance where Tracy Reed (yes, his brother) controls who gets minority status. Any look into the number of black airport vendors who have been brow-beaten into giving to Kasim's campaign?

And what about the fines Kasim has had to pay over the years for failure to timely file his disclosure reports - despite being a partner at the law firm in charge...and on the Ethics Committee for the Senate?

If you'd show any willingness to actually investigate and report on your own, I'll be in shock. But feel free to surprise me and those who wonder when you lost your way.

Stephanie
Sunday, September 20, 2009 at 6:05 PM

And while you're at it, go ahead and rename this article "Stephanie Ramage's Lisa Borders Problem". Because clearly darling, you have one with her. Put it out there like you put out your schoolgirl infatuation with Kasim. It's all right, girl -- everybody plays the fool.

Edwina
Sunday, September 20, 2009 at 6:07 PM

She's taken so long to respond with her twisted logic to the other quesitons, i wonder if she's crying with her boyfriend.

Come on, Stephanie. Be a big girl and admit you're just being catty and emotional because Lisa won't play with you anymore. Mean girls.

Stephanie
Sunday, September 20, 2009 at 6:38 PM