Atlanta's New Mayor Takes Office

Written by Mack Hayden

Monday, 08 February 2010 21:06

After spending more than a decade under the Gold Dome representing Atlanta, 2010 brings him to Atlanta as the city's 59th mayor. Reed who is an ex- lawmaker is using his role as a mayor of Atlanta to bridge gaps with old friends and is trying to build more co operative relations with the sate government and Georgia's biggest city, Atlanta. He is also taking the same steps to make goodwill relations with Washington.

Reed told the members of the House that will find a real friend in him and its time for all of them together to have a cease fire and win for Georgia together.

It appears that both the sides are willing to forget about the hard feelings of the past and share the challenges for now. However, it is too early to say if the feelings of unity will change into more dollars for Atlanta.

Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle also praised him saying that Reed is doing a great job and that everyone looks forward to positive things for Atlanta in future.

House Majority Whip Ed Lindsey said that he hoped Reed could be a force to help the sate of Atlanta resolves its disputes with the neighboring states over water use. Reed who is a democrat has already been to Washington sine 4th Jan, while courting Georgia's Congressional delegation and building relationships with people who control the federal purse strings and has also met with President Obama several times. The Atlanta state Representative Calvin Smyre said that it can be helpful to have a lifeline in Washington.

State Senator of Atlanta, Vincent Fort said that he is very optimistic because of the new relations set between Reed and the Speaker of the house David Ralston and everyone in the General assembly. However, what it means for the City of Atlanta regarding the issues like transportation, water, its fight with Alabama and Florida and also education will become clear only in the coming months.

Michael Leo Owens, Emory University's political Science professor is of the opinion that Reed is smart enough as he has already started to lay the groundwork for efforts that might pay off later. He also said that it was very nice to see that Reed has been positively accepted in the halls of Atlanta.