Reed: Airport, Watershed Firings All About Atlanta's Future

ATLANTA, GA -- Mayor Kasim Reed told the media on Monday that he wants a renewed focus on customer service at Atlanta's airport and as its watershed department.

Late last week, Reed fired Miguel Southwell, general manager of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, and Jo Ann Marcina, director of the city's department of watershed management.

Reed held a press conference on Monday, but did not discuss the exact circumstances of the firings.

"The bottom line is, is that we chose to go our separate ways," Reed said, according to Fox5 Atlanta. "But the people of Atlanta deserve an explanation of who will run two of the city's most important operating units and why I have chosen those people to do so."

The mayor said he wants to focus on improved customer service at the two departments.

"We are not slowing down, we are speeding up," said Reed, according to CBS46. "The people of Atlanta deserve a government that works as hard as they do."

Following dismissals of two high-ranking city officials, Mayor Kasim Reed addressed the media on Monday morning.

"The decisions we made together Friday are about the future," said Mayor Reed.

The Mayor would not go into detail regarding the decision to terminate JoAnn Marcrina and Miguel Southwell, but he did say his administration is focused on customer service as it relates to both Hartsfield-Jackson Airport and the Department of Watershed Management.

The mayor said he will meet with Atlanta City Council members and give them a briefing on his decisions and how his administration will move forward. He wants the people of Atlanta to know they are in good hands.

"We are going to have results or we are going to have change," said Reed.

According to statements from the mayor's office, Roosevelt Council will serve as interim airport GM, while William Johnson, Atlanta's deputy COO, will serve as interim watershed commissioner.

In March, Reed announced a $6 billion airport capital expansion program, which includes plans to build two new domestic parking decks, add five additional gates to Concourse T, construct a sixth runway, and invest more than $900 million in a new international concourse.

The airport has been plagued in recent weeks by long lines at TSA checkpoints, all coming at the same time as what is expected to be a record-setting travel schedule for the world's busiest airport.

Image: City of Atlanta