I know that many of you tonight are probably surprised to hear me speak about a shared responsibility to the public of government and media. Let me tell you something. What I feel about the local media and what they feel about me is of little relevance. How I or the media make citizens feel about themselves or this city is of uppermost importance. And once again we betray the interest of that very public we are entrusted to serve.
Balance means telling the whole story.
The story that's often missed is that people and businesses are moving back into our neighborhoods. For the first time in thirty years, our population is on the rebound. For those of us who live in the city' in Grant Park, in East Atlanta, in Cabbagetown, in Kirkwood, in the Old Fourth Ward, in the West End, we see the renovated homes, the new restaurants and shops. Today, Downtown isn't just a place to work, but a place to live and play. The excitement and energy are palpable.