Time For Change In Atlanta?

Next week, Atlanta could go from the South's chocolate city to one led by a non-black mayor. It would end nearly four decades of black mayorship in the ATL. America was ready for change last November when we elected Barack Obama... but does that sentiment work in reverse? Is Atlanta ready for change too?

There are six candidates trying to replace Mayor Shirley Franklin. Atlanta Councilwoman Mary Norwood is the frontrunner. But if she doesn't pull the majority of votes, Norwood would have to battle it out with two black candidates (Council President Lisa Borders or state Sen. Kasim Reed).

UPDATED: Norwood claims she's independent from big money real estate developers and she doesn't have major ties to the black community.  But she does have backers in the upscale Buckhead neighborhood. Her critics have taken to calling her "Buckhead Betty" and accuse her of having strong Republican ties.

So, what say you Brew readers, will a white mayor change the "face" of Atlanta?  Does the race of the city's mayor even matter?

What's your call?

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Photo: David Walter Banks for The New York Times