Signs point to Reed definitely not endorsing Fort if state senator runs for mayor

Maybe the first time an Atlanta mayor has name-dropped Wile E. Coyote?

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Mayor Kasim Reed and state Sen. Vincent Fort, D-Atlanta, won’t be playing racquetball anytime soon. Or doing much of anything, it appears. They probably shouldn’t be in the same room from now until the end of time. 

The senator, arguably the Gold Dome’s most liberal firebrand, has been one of Reed’s harshest critics — and probably the only elected official who will publicly criticize him — on such issues as Atlanta Public Schools, public funding for Mercedes-Benz Stadium, and the Atlanta Beltline. 

Reed and his staff have responded with simple statements, such as “nothing that Vincent Fort says matters.” Aside from the brief comments, however, the mayor hasn’t delved too deep into the debate. 

That changed yesterday afternoon at the Atlanta Press Club when a reporter asked Reed his thoughts on a piece of legislation Fort has proposed at the Gold Dome: a bill, obviously inspired by PARKAtlanta, that would prohibit cities from outsourcing parking enforcement.

“Happily,” the mayor said in response. He then announced that Fort ”is one of the most disappointing human beings I’ve ever seen,” a proclamation that was greeted by a smattering of laughter, wincing, and, according to my recording, one very loud “oooooo.” 

Even if Fort’s bill were to pass the General Assembly and earn the governor’s signature, Reed said, it was toothless; the city’s contract with PARKAtlanta is already in effect. He said another piece of legislation introduced by Fort blocking the use of public funds to build a pedestrian bridge over Northside Drive near the new Mercedes-Benz Stadium was also pointless. The $10 million project was “already contracted for and is in development,” Reed said. 

Fort’s measures amounted to a “publicity stunt” aimed at building toward the senator’s potential mayoral bid.

“Let me look in the camera and guarantee you that Vincent Fort will never be mayor of Atlanta,” he said, later likening Fort to “Wile E. Coyote — he never wins.” 

Reed at one point slightly defended the very direct criticism of Fort, saying the only time the media discusses the state senator is when he’s asked to critique the mayor’s actions. “Because I’ve been in such a holy place I haven’t responded to it,” Reed said.

In a statement, Fort said “any Atlanta elected official who is in touch with his or her constituents would know that PARKatlanta has been harmful and abusive to Atlanta residents, visitors and small businesses. I have attended multiple public meetings about the PARKatlanta’s exploitations, and we must act.”

He added that he was “disappointed that our Mayor would stoop to personal attacks rather than addressing the concerns of our joint constituents, but unfortunately I am not surprised. In recent years, he has become an example of the coarsening of public debate that we have seen from the Presidential campaign to the local level.

“That said, I will continue to push for legislation to put an end to PARKatlanta’s abuses,” Fort said.