Reed dines with members of city council

By Ernie Suggs

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Before the appetizers arrived and after the dinners were ordered, veteran Atlanta City Council member Felicia Moore asked for someone to bless the food.

In what just might be his first act with the members of the council, Kasim Reed volunteered. With their heads bowed and their hands clasps, he asked that “wisdom” be breathed into the room.

“Because we many difficult things to face,” Reed said.

And with that, the newly constituted council held its first unofficial, official meeting Thursday night. Moore, who has been on the council for 12 years, called the informal dinner at the No Mas Hacienda, which was attended by nearly every council member, as a way for them to get to know each other early.

And also to get to know Reed, the presumptive newly elected mayor – pending a possible recount. The official results of Tuesday’s election will be certified on Saturday and there is still a possibility that Reed’s opponent in the election, Mary Norwood, will call for a recount on Monday.

Still pumped on adrenaline, Reed said he was not thinking about that right now.

“But once Saturday comes, I’ll be the mayor-elect,” Reed said. “Then I will be able to get some sleep.”

With chips, salsa and quesadillas flying, Reed said the dinner was the beginning of something special.

“I am pleased to have been asked to come tonight,” Reed said. “This is substantive and symbolic, to let the members of the council know I am committed. In my heart, I am a legislator and I intend to work in a collaborative fashion.”

Reed, who was a state senator before he ran for mayor, noted that he worked under two governors during his tenure under the Gold Dome. He said he learned from both of them.

“I have known and worked with leaders who have an open-door policy and I have known those who don’t have an open-door policy and you can see the difference,” Reed said. “My style is going to be open and transparent. And close.”

If Thursday’s dinner is any indication, that closeness just might happen. But it is still very, very early.

There are 10 returning council members – not counting newly elected president Ceasar Mitchell -- and five newly elected ones. Moore said the dinner was also intended to build better bonds between the returning members as well.

“This gives us an opportunity to sit and talk,” Moore said. “No heavy stuff. Just get to know each other.”

Cleta Winslow made sure that new council members sat next to veterans. Kwanza Hall constantly sent text messages to members who were running late. By then, he had taken off his sombrero. Yolanda Adrean and Alex Wan chatted with Moore about finances. Natalyn Archibong playfully complained that someone took her seat. Keisha Lance Bottoms walked around introducing herself to those she hadn’t met.

Hall, seated at the head of the table – an honor bestowed upon him because the restaurant is in his district – was reminded that he is not the new kid on the block anymore with the election of five new, young councilmembers.

“I would just remind them to take your time and look at how you are going to balance your elected duties with your personal life,” Hall said. “Block out time and keep your weekend to yourself. Cherish and protect it.”

The new administration will officially take over on Jan. 4.