LISTEN: Mayor Andre Dickens was sworn in for a second term, along with newly elected City Council President Marci Collier Overstreet. GPB's Amanda Andrews reports on the ceremony.
On Monday, Atlanta held its official inauguration for municipal judges, the city council and the mayor.
The ceremony was hosted at Georgia State University Convocation Hall. Newly elected leaders were sworn in, including Mayor Andre Dickens and City Council President Marci Collier Overstreet.
In her Inaugural remarks, Collier Overstreet said she plans to host presidential town halls across Atlanta for people who can’t attend regular city council meetings.
“I will invite the city's leadership to join me,” she said. “So that you can interact with Atlanta's decision-makers. You won't have to wonder what's happening at City Hall. City Hall will come to you because your voices matter, your time matters, and the perspectives of each of you, they matter.”
The event was attended by U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock and former Atlanta mayors Andrew Young, Shirley Franklin, and Kasim Reed.
During his address, Dickens compared Atlanta’s fight against inequality to the biblical battle between David and Goliath. He said like David, armed only with stones and a sling, the city has what it needs to win.
“Atlanta's five stones in this fight are affordable housing, investing in neighborhoods, opportunities for our youth, keeping residents and visitors safe, and all while prioritizing ethics, financial stewardship, and good government.”
In line with that goal, Dickens announced the $5 billion Neighborhood Reinvestment Plan in September. The initiative promotes access to fresh food, green space, transportation and jobs.
The new city council will meet for the first time for a regular meeting on Jan. 20.
