“As Atlanta continues to grow, it is important that we remember to look back and pull forward residents, communities, and businesses that are being left behind. This is paramount to our continued ability to remain a leader on the regional, national, and international stage. What has drawn people and organizations to Atlanta in droves is our warm weather and our warm hearts,” Atlanta’s Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms told a packed audience.
To an audience filled with executives, members of the press and other supporters, the Mayor laid out her five-prong vision for the next three and a half years. Bottoms addressed some of her major accomplishments since taking office, as well as her vision for the future of Atlanta.
“We are here this morning, united by our shared interest in the continued growth and prosperity of Atlanta,” Bottoms said. “As I look forward to sharing my vision for the City and our progress and accomplishments to date, I want to take this opportunity to thank every person here today for your individual and collective contributions towards making Atlanta the greatest city in the world.”
“One Atlanta,” the Mayor’s plan was referred to in literature distributed at the address, would ensure that “an affordable, resilient and equitable Atlanta” would be viewed as (1) “a safe and welcoming city,” with: (2) world-class employees, infrastructure and services; (3) an ethical transparent and fiscally responsible government; (4) thriving neighborhoods, communities and businesses; and finally, (5) residents that are equipped for success.
“As Atlanta continues to grow, it is important that we remember to look back and pull forward residents, communities, and businesses that are being left behind.” Bottoms said. “This is paramount to our continued ability to remain a leader on the regional, national, and international stage. What has drawn people and organizations to Atlanta in droves is our warm weather and our warm hearts. While we can certainly join together in prayer for continued sunny summers and forgiving winters, we have the most immediate power to preserve the warmth of Atlanta’s spirit.”
Noticeably absent from the mayor’s address was mention of her predecessor Kasim Reed, who also was not in attendance at the breakfast address. Over Bottoms’ first three months, attempts to advance her agenda have often been overshadowed by the discovery of questionable dealings by Reed’s administration.
Bottoms said she is in the process of overhauling the city’s ethics policies and hopes to make Atlanta a model for other cities to follow.
The Mayor said she would require training for city employees on handling requests made under the Georgia Open Records Act.
“Just shy of my 100th day in office, I announced the first step in Atlanta’s transparency plan. Atlanta’s new online portal ‘Open Checkbook’ will allow the public and members of the press unprecedented access to information about City budgets, expenditures, and contracts with vendors,” she said. “In that spirit, I have also announced a new Open Records policy that will implement best-in-class practices for compliance with the Georgia Open Records law.
“Government cannot function for the people without the trust of the people,” Bottoms also said. “We will continue to work towards finding the right solutions that will change the course of how Atlanta openly and transparently conducts business for years to come.
