Mary B. Norwood: I served two terms as a Councilwoman elected citywide, where I worked for our constituents as their 24/7 customer service department at a City Hall no longer working for them. I repeatedly fought for financial accountability, including independent outside investigations of our city finances. I have been schooled in the tasks that need to be done to make our city work for us again by standing up for citizens in every part of town. The fights I fought for you qualify me to fight even bigger fights for you.

I'm a small business owner, and I have also run a business with substantial responsibilities, so I bring to the job of mayor an understanding of the need to balance the books and the ways successfully to motivate your team. I had a long involvement in the neighborhood movement before running for office, so I bring to the job of mayor an understanding of the need to build consensus within a diverse group, just as I have done building the citywide coalition supporting my candidacy

Mary B. Norwood: Fighting crime is my highest priority. You shouldn’t have to live in fear. I will boost the police force, rebuild the 991 emergency call system to speed responses, expand on the Restorative Board to compensate victims and keep our at-risk youth away from a life of crime, retain experienced officers, and put more police on the beat and away from other duties. I will end City Hall’s accounting shell games and restore full financial accountability so that we never again have the sorts of mismanagement that led to furloughs of our police and firefighters. Transparent finances open to public inspection and subject to independent outside investigation is, in the long run, the only way to guarantee your safety. I will expect everyone who works for the city to deliver the services you expect, on budget, on time, and courteously. We will promote a corporate culture at City Hall that encourages business to invest and neighborhoods to thrive.

Mary B. Norwood: The last CFO gave the city's financial management a grade of F; surprise budget shortfalls have shocked Council, press, and citizens alike; our bond rating has fallen; the most recent CFO report acknowledges just how much work is still needed to learn the true state of city finances. This disarray resulted in police and firefighter furloughs and blocks the strategic vision needed to deal effectively with a host of other looming issues like crime, pensions and infrastructure. As mayor, I will initiate comprehensive independent outside audits, reorganize the finance department, and put all city transactions online. Accountability matters.

Kasim Reed: I was educated in Fulton County’s public schools. I then went to Howard University, where I received my undergraduate and law degrees. I have spent the last eleven years serving Atlanta in the Georgia Legislature, serving four years in the House, and seven years in the Senate. During this time, I have gained an intimate and detailed understanding of the problems facing not just Atlanta residents, but residents of the entire state. I know which issues are important, and I know how to solve them. Whether it's dealing with Atlanta's sewer overhaul, or tackling the City's pension crisis, an important part of solving Atlanta's problems will be working with both the state and federal governments. I am uniquely qualified to represent Atlanta's interests on the state level and in Washington. During my time in the legislature, I forged important relationships with key individuals on both sides of the aisle, and introduced and pushed through a variety of bills.

Kasim Reed: The three greatest challenges currently facing the city are: public safety, city finances, and economic development. First, with regard to public safety, I have made fully funding and expanding our police force a central campaign issue since day one. It is critical that we do absolutely everything we can to improve public safety, or we risk reversing the progress we have invested so much time and money to produce here in the City. Public safety is directly linked to our ability to expand convention business and tourism and the continued migration of residents into newly-revitalized neighborhoods. As public safety improves and these trends continue, our tax base grows, making an investment in public safety one that pays for itself. I will be a prudent steward of the City’s financial resources. These funds are the lifeblood of an effective government. They ensure our government is able to serve and protect its citizens.

Kasim Reed: The pension funding shortfall is the single largest contributor to Atlanta's fiscal crisis, With regard to city finances, the City must restore sound fiscal policy. City Hall’s troubles are certainly worsened by the economy, but they also follow some unsound prior choices. Addressing the City's financial woes must start with solving its pension crisis. As a result of irresponsible decisions by the City Council over the past eight years, the City's pension obligations have ballooned to unsustainable levels. One of every five dollars in the general fund must now be allocated to our pensions. No city, or indeed any organization, can operate on sound financial footing when such a significant portion of its revenue is dedicated towards deferred benefits rather than current service delivery. Ourforcing layoffs, furloughs of public safety officers and cuts to vital services. During the 2009 legislative session we took the first step towards rescuing the City's pension funds.