There was not a vacant seat in the Fayette County Commission chambers on Jan. 2 as new District 5 Fayette County Commissioner Pota Coston took the oath of office. Coston is the first African American to be elected to the commission and the first Democrat since the early 1990s. She was elected by a 2-to-1 margin last November in the newly created majority-minority District 5.
“I look forward to serving my district and all the citizens of Fayette County,” Coston said to the crowd of supporters after the oath. “It is my desire for all citizens to have an exceptional quality of life, where we can raise our children in world class schools, obtain gainful employment, increase our home values, grow our economy, protect our environment and have a safe county.
“We must provide more opportunities for our senior citizens and the return of our youth as the next generation for the sustainability of Fayette County. I will be a bridge-builder to work collaboratively with my fellow commissioners, and other elected officials and the people of this county and state to make this the best place to live, work and play,” said Coston.
Superior Court Judge Christopher Edwards administered the oath of office and Superior Court Judge Fletcher Sams administered the loyalty oath. Coston was surrounded for both by her husband, Bernard, her son, Bernard II and her father, the Rev. Walter McDonald.
Coston made a number of additional remarks after the swearing-in. She began those remarks by thanking her family for their love and support. She also extended thanks to District 5 citizens and a host of supporters from across Fayette County and beyond.
Coston during her remarks also commended outgoing Commissioner Allen McCarty for his service and elected officials including Senator Valencia Seay, Representatives Virgil Fludd and Ronnie Mabra for their leadership, support and encouragement.
Coston in November outpolled Republican incumbent Allen McCarty for the District 5 seat, the first time Fayette voters have elected commissioners by districts instead of choosing all of them at large.
