ATLANTA – Kasim Reed, who overcame lack of name recognition and low numbers in early polls to be elected Atlanta’s 59th mayor, prepared to be sworn in on Monday.
Reed replaces two-term mayor Shirley Franklin. Ceasar Mitchell was to be sworn in as president of the Atlanta City Council, replacing Lisa Borders.
Reed says his first priority as mayor will be to find money to hire more police officers. He says his administration also will crack down on aggressive panhandling.
Reed defeated Mary Norwood in a mayor’s race runoff a month ago.