Eshe Collins sworn in as Atlanta City Council member, ready to tackle key issues

ATLANTA - Eshe Collins was sworn in as the newest Atlanta City Council member on Monday. 

Collins, who represents the district 3 at-large seat, is already rolling up her sleeves and ready to work. The seat became vacant when Keisha Waites stepped down in March of last year.

With a whole lot of energy and anticipation, Collins took her oath of office vowing to serve the more than half a million residents of Atlanta.

"This swearing in allows me to get ramped up with operations. Get on board and get started with the work, so I’m day one ready in January," Collins said after being sworn in by Fulton County Superior Court Judge Shermela Williams on Monday morning. 

Collins is talking about January, but we captured her already at work touring the city’s soon-to-open diversion center for those charged with non-violent offenses. Collins said she has been assigned to the public safety, city utilities, and committee on counsel for her committee work.

She says the campaign trail connected her with hundreds of voters who have lots of pressing issues they want her to address. "Affordability has been key, public safety is key, but also transit equity accessibility ensuring that communities that highly depend on transit and transportation are able to access all the things throughout the city.

Collins had a photo shoot Monday and will soon have her portrait on the wall among her colleagues. Many of whom she is already talking to, as she gears to serve.

"I am excited. As you can see, I’m excited. I am real excited," Collins said as she beamed. 

Collins resigned her APS board seat Monday and said she is pleased with her legacy there.