Other program participants included Licia Affer, Rector of Saint Anne’s Episcopal Church, who gave the invocation; former Coalition Chairman Niles Bolton who presented the Nomination Committee Report electing Harrison Coleman, David Coxon, Andy Isakson, Linda Klein, and Charlie Mann for three-year Executive Committee terms, and present Coalition Chairman Juanita Baranco who expressed general Greetings.
“We know that when Buckhead is strong, we know that the Southside is strong. We know that when the Southside is strong, we know that the Northside is strong. I am committed to making sure that we continue to work together to make sure that our entire city is as strong as it can possibly be,” Bottoms said in a keynote speech, themed “Atlanta Together,” that sought to unite Atlantans following a particularly tense election cycle.
Bottoms, a Southwest Atlanta resident and former city council member, advanced to a Dec. 5 runoff with Buckhead resident Mary Norwood and then edged Norwood by about 820 votes. At the coalition’s 2017 annual luncheon, Bottoms and Norwood were among the 10 mayoral candidates who spoke in a panel discussion as the campaign cycle kicked off.
The Mayor briefly discussed the recent election cycle: “Although our perspectives were different and our approaches were different we all cared about the outcome and that outcome being that we be a strong Atlanta,” Bottoms said. “I am so honored to have that leadership reflected in my transition team to make sure that as we transition administrations in the city of Atlanta that your voices will continue to be heard and that your concerns will continue to be heard. And that we move forward on one accord.”
She also addressed how the city is growing with businesses like Amazon looking to create a home here in Atlanta: “While we pursue outside opportunities, it’s extremely important that we do not forget those who have stuck with us,” she said.
Following her keynote address, Massell gifted to Bottoms a Hans Fräbel 13-inch–wide crystal trophy of two hands grasping each other that symbolize the event’s theme, “Atlanta Together.”
Luncheon guests received a miniature glass replica of this handshake and an autographed copy of the Coalition’s founding President Massell biography called, “Play it again, Sam.”
“I attend this event every year and look forward to connecting with other businesses,” explained Janis Ware, publisher for The Atlanta Voice, this publication. “It’s exciting to see how the city will move forward from this past election.”
