ATLANTA – Kasim Reed is set to take the helm of Atlanta on Monday, but he comes to office without the usual celebratory bash that accompanies Inauguration Day.
Expectations are high for Reed, a former state senator, who campaigned on a promise of “change.” Reed, who says he canceled an extensive inauguration ball because of the city’s shaky finances, defeated challenger Mary Norwood in a runoff election Dec. 1.
“The overwhelming sense that I get, is after two years campaigning, is people want action, and you may be right or you may wrong, but they want thoughtful, reasonable decisions backed up by action, and I am going to deliver on that,” Reed said in a wide-ranging interview with the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Many residents are also optimistic for Reed’s reign.
“I think he’ll do a good job,” one Atlanta resident said Sunday. “He seems to have well thought out plans for Atlanta.”
Elsewhere, in Marietta, Steve Tumlin will be sworn into office as mayor and Johnny Sinclair will begin his tenure as Ward 3 councilman. A swearing-in ceremony will be held at 6 p.m. today in the lobby of City Hall, 205 Lawrence Street. The city’s first council meeting of 2010 is scheduled for 7 p.m.
