Mayor says, ‘if it ain’t broke, it doesn’t need fixing,’ so he asked Savannah residents to send him back for another four years.

Savannah Mayor Otis Johnson announced his re-election Monday by looking back at a question from his last campaign.

“Will Savannah be better off in 2007 than it was in 2003?” Johnson said. “Any objective analysis of this community will come up with an affirmative answer to that question.”

He and the Savannah City Council have made progress toward all of their stated priorities. Now he’s asking voters to “stay the course” and send him back for a second and final mayoral term.

“There is no need to change horses in the middle of the stream,” the mayor said from the steps of City Hall over the roaring engines of trucks rolling along Bay Street.

He surrounded himself with supporters, neighborhood leaders and high-powered businessmen. He touted the accomplishments he worked for with the Savannah City Council during the last four years.

He has no announced opposition.Mayor says, ‘if it ain’t broke, it doesn’t need fixing,’ so he asked Savannah residents to send him back for another four years.

Savannah Mayor Otis Johnson announced his re-election Monday by looking back at a question from his last campaign.

“Will Savannah be better off in 2007 than it was in 2003?” Johnson said. “Any objective analysis of this community will come up with an affirmative answer to that question.”

He and the Savannah City Council have made progress toward all of their stated priorities. Now he’s asking voters to “stay the course” and send him back for a second and final mayoral term.

“There is no need to change horses in the middle of the stream,” the mayor said from the steps of City Hall over the roaring engines of trucks rolling along Bay Street.

He surrounded himself with supporters, neighborhood leaders and high-powered businessmen. He touted the accomplishments he worked for with the Savannah City Council during the last four years.

He has no announced opposition.

Johnson has set some new goals for the next four years, if elected.

He wants to lead by example and move the city towards energy-efficient, or “green,” building.

He wants to advocate for building “knowledge-based” businesses, as is being done by the Creative Coast Initiative.

He wants to work with the Housing Authority of Savannah to create more mixed-income neighborhoods.

He wants to work toward creating more affordable rentals in Savannah.

There are some goals that weren’t accomplished in the past four years, however.

First, Johnson was dismayed by the increase in juvenile crime.

Second, his attempt to expand minority business development failed when the group he formed proved ineffective.

“Those were my two greatest disappointments,” he said.

Johnson suffered a heart attack about a year ago. Despite some damage to his heart, he said he is in the best shape of his life.

Supporter and local businessman Sylvester Formey said Johnson has lead the city through a time of unprecedented growth and represented the entire city well.

“He is absolutely the man for the time,” he said.

Johnson has worked to represent the entire city during the last four years, Formey said, especially in trying to expand minority business participation.

Formey, chief executive officer of the Vanguard Distributors Inc., is consistently named one of the top black businessmen in the country.

But when asked if the Savannah business community would support Johnson this time, Formey left it to other local businessmen to answer. Four years ago, the Savannah Area Business Political Action Committee backed Pete Liakakis over Johnson.

That probably won’t happen this time, said Stephen Green, a member of that committee. He showed up Monday to back Johnson.

“I think he’s worked well with the business community,” Green said.

Meanwhile, District 2 Savannah Alderman Ellis Cook is considering a run either for mayor or alderman at large. He said he will make up his mind in seven to 10 days.Mayor says, ‘if it ain’t broke, it doesn’t need fixing,’ so he asked Savannah residents to send him back for another four years.

Savannah Mayor Otis Johnson announced his re-election Monday by looking back at a question from his last campaign.

“Will Savannah be better off in 2007 than it was in 2003?” Johnson said. “Any objective analysis of this community will come up with an affirmative answer to that question.”

He and the Savannah City Council have made progress toward all of their stated priorities. Now he’s asking voters to “stay the course” and send him back for a second and final mayoral term.

“There is no need to change horses in the middle of the stream,” the mayor said from the steps of City Hall over the roaring engines of trucks rolling along Bay Street.

He surrounded himself with supporters, neighborhood leaders and high-powered businessmen. He touted the accomplishments he worked for with the Savannah City Council during the last four years.

He has no announced opposition.

Johnson has set some new goals for the next four years, if elected.

He wants to lead by example and move the city towards energy-efficient, or “green,” building.

He wants to advocate for building “knowledge-based” businesses, as is being done by the Creative Coast Initiative.

He wants to work with the Housing Authority of Savannah to create more mixed-income neighborhoods.

He wants to work toward creating more affordable rentals in Savannah.

There are some goals that weren’t accomplished in the past four years, however.

First, Johnson was dismayed by the increase in juvenile crime.

Second, his attempt to expand minority business development failed when the group he formed proved ineffective.

“Those were my two greatest disappointments,” he said.

Johnson suffered a heart attack about a year ago. Despite some damage to his heart, he said he is in the best shape of his life.

Supporter and local businessman Sylvester Formey said Johnson has lead the city through a time of unprecedented growth and represented the entire city well.

“He is absolutely the man for the time,” he said.

Johnson has worked to represent the entire city during the last four years, Formey said, especially in trying to expand minority business participation.

Formey, chief executive officer of the Vanguard Distributors Inc., is consistently named one of the top black businessmen in the country.

But when asked if the Savannah business community would support Johnson this time, Formey left it to other local businessmen to answer. Four years ago, the Savannah Area Business Political Action Committee backed Pete Liakakis over Johnson.

That probably won’t happen this time, said Stephen Green, a member of that committee. He showed up Monday to back Johnson.

“I think he’s worked well with the business community,” Green said.

Meanwhile, District 2 Savannah Alderman Ellis Cook is considering a run either for mayor or alderman at large. He said he will make up his mind in seven to 10 days.Mayor says, ‘if it ain’t broke, it doesn’t need fixing,’ so he asked Savannah residents to send him back for another four years.

Savannah Mayor Otis Johnson announced his re-election Monday by looking back at a question from his last campaign.

“Will Savannah be better off in 2007 than it was in 2003?” Johnson said. “Any objective analysis of this community will come up with an affirmative answer to that question.”

He and the Savannah City Council have made progress toward all of their stated priorities. Now he’s asking voters to “stay the course” and send him back for a second and final mayoral term.

“There is no need to change horses in the middle of the stream,” the mayor said from the steps of City Hall over the roaring engines of trucks rolling along Bay Street.

He surrounded himself with supporters, neighborhood leaders and high-powered businessmen. He touted the accomplishments he worked for with the Savannah City Council during the last four years.

He has no announced opposition.

Johnson has set some new goals for the next four years, if elected.

He wants to lead by example and move the city towards energy-efficient, or “green,” building.

He wants to advocate for building “knowledge-based” businesses, as is being done by the Creative Coast Initiative.

He wants to work with the Housing Authority of Savannah to create more mixed-income neighborhoods.

He wants to work toward creating more affordable rentals in Savannah.

There are some goals that weren’t accomplished in the past four years, however.

First, Johnson was dismayed by the increase in juvenile crime.

Second, his attempt to expand minority business development failed when the group he formed proved ineffective.

“Those were my two greatest disappointments,” he said.

Johnson suffered a heart attack about a year ago. Despite some damage to his heart, he said he is in the best shape of his life.

Supporter and local businessman Sylvester Formey said Johnson has lead the city through a time of unprecedented growth and represented the entire city well.

“He is absolutely the man for the time,” he said.

Johnson has worked to represent the entire city during the last four years, Formey said, especially in trying to expand minority business participation.

Formey, chief executive officer of the Vanguard Distributors Inc., is consistently named one of the top black businessmen in the country.

But when asked if the Savannah business community would support Johnson this time, Formey left it to other local businessmen to answer. Four years ago, the Savannah Area Business Political Action Committee backed Pete Liakakis over Johnson.

That probably won’t happen this time, said Stephen Green, a member of that committee. He showed up Monday to back Johnson.

“I think he’s worked well with the business community,” Green said.

Meanwhile, District 2 Savannah Alderman Ellis Cook is considering a run either for mayor or alderman at large. He said he will make up his mind in seven to 10 days.Mayor says, ‘if it ain’t broke, it doesn’t need fixing,’ so he asked Savannah residents to send him back for another four years.

Savannah Mayor Otis Johnson announced his re-election Monday by looking back at a question from his last campaign.

“Will Savannah be better off in 2007 than it was in 2003?” Johnson said. “Any objective analysis of this community will come up with an affirmative answer to that question.”

He and the Savannah City Council have made progress toward all of their stated priorities. Now he’s asking voters to “stay the course” and send him back for a second and final mayoral term.

“There is no need to change horses in the middle of the stream,” the mayor said from the steps of City Hall over the roaring engines of trucks rolling along Bay Street.

He surrounded himself with supporters, neighborhood leaders and high-powered businessmen. He touted the accomplishments he worked for with the Savannah City Council during the last four years.

He has no announced opposition.

Johnson has set some new goals for the next four years, if elected.

He wants to lead by example and move the city towards energy-efficient, or “green,” building.

He wants to advocate for building “knowledge-based” businesses, as is being done by the Creative Coast Initiative.

He wants to work with the Housing Authority of Savannah to create more mixed-income neighborhoods.

He wants to work toward creating more affordable rentals in Savannah.

There are some goals that weren’t accomplished in the past four years, however.

First, Johnson was dismayed by the increase in juvenile crime.

Second, his attempt to expand minority business development failed when the group he formed proved ineffective.

“Those were my two greatest disappointments,” he said.

Johnson suffered a heart attack about a year ago. Despite some damage to his heart, he said he is in the best shape of his life.

Supporter and local businessman Sylvester Formey said Johnson has lead the city through a time of unprecedented growth and represented the entire city well.

“He is absolutely the man for the time,” he said.

Johnson has worked to represent the entire city during the last four years, Formey said, especially in trying to expand minority business participation.

Formey, chief executive officer of the Vanguard Distributors Inc., is consistently named one of the top black businessmen in the country.

But when asked if the Savannah business community would support Johnson this time, Formey left it to other local businessmen to answer. Four years ago, the Savannah Area Business Political Action Committee backed Pete Liakakis over Johnson.

That probably won’t happen this time, said Stephen Green, a member of that committee. He showed up Monday to back Johnson.

“I think he’s worked well with the business community,” Green said.

Meanwhile, District 2 Savannah Alderman Ellis Cook is considering a run either for mayor or alderman at large. He said he will make up his mind in seven to 10 days.

Johnson has set some new goals for the next four years, if elected.

He wants to lead by example and move the city towards energy-efficient, or “green,” building.

He wants to advocate for building “knowledge-based” businesses, as is being done by the Creative Coast Initiative.

He wants to work with the Housing Authority of Savannah to create more mixed-income neighborhoods.

He wants to work toward creating more affordable rentals in Savannah.

There are some goals that weren’t accomplished in the past four years, however.

First, Johnson was dismayed by the increase in juvenile crime.

Second, his attempt to expand minority business development failed when the group he formed proved ineffective.

“Those were my two greatest disappointments,” he said.

Johnson suffered a heart attack about a year ago. Despite some damage to his heart, he said he is in the best shape of his life.

Supporter and local businessman Sylvester Formey said Johnson has lead the city through a time of unprecedented growth and represented the entire city well.

“He is absolutely the man for the time,” he said.

Johnson has worked to represent the entire city during the last four years, Formey said, especially in trying to expand minority business participation.

Formey, chief executive officer of the Vanguard Distributors Inc., is consistently named one of the top black businessmen in the country.

But when asked if the Savannah business community would support Johnson this time, Formey left it to other local businessmen to answer. Four years ago, the Savannah Area Business Political Action Committee backed Pete Liakakis over Johnson.

That probably won’t happen this time, said Stephen Green, a member of that committee. He showed up Monday to back Johnson.

“I think he’s worked well with the business community,” Green said.

Meanwhile, District 2 Savannah Alderman Ellis Cook is considering a run either for mayor or alderman at large. He said he will Mayor says, ‘if it ain’t broke, it doesn’t need fixing,’ so he asked Savannah residents to send him back for another four years.

Savannah Mayor Otis Johnson announced his re-election Monday by looking back at a question from his last campaign.

“Will Savannah be better off in 2007 than it was in 2003?” Johnson said. “Any objective analysis of this community will come up with an affirmative answer to that question.”

He and the Savannah City Council have made progress toward all of their stated priorities. Now he’s asking voters to “stay the course” and send him back for a second and final mayoral term.

“There is no need to change horses in the middle of the stream,” the mayor said from the steps of City Hall over the roaring engines of trucks rolling along Bay Street.

He surrounded himself with supporters, neighborhood leaders and high-powered businessmen. He touted the accomplishments he worked for with the Savannah City Council during the last four years.

He has no announced opposition.

Johnson has set some new goals for the next four years, if elected.

He wants to lead by example and move the city towards energy-efficient, or “green,” building.

He wants to advocate for building “knowledge-based” businesses, as is being done by the Creative Coast Initiative.

He wants to work with the Housing Authority of Savannah to create more mixed-income neighborhoods.

He wants to work toward creating more affordable rentals in Savannah.

There are some goals that weren’t accomplished in the past four years, however.

First, Johnson was dismayed by the increase in juvenile crime.

Second, his attempt to expand minority business development failed when the group he formed proved ineffective.

“Those were my two greatest disappointments,” he said.

Johnson suffered a heart attack about a year ago. Despite some damage to his heart, he said he is in the best shape of his life.

Supporter and local businessman Sylvester Formey said Johnson has lead the city through a time of unprecedented growth and represented the entire city well.

“He is absolutely the man for the time,” he said.

Johnson has worked to represent the entire city during the last four years, Formey said, especially in trying to expand minority business participation.

Formey, chief executive officer of the Vanguard Distributors Inc., is consistently named one of the top black businessmen in the country.

But when asked if the Savannah business community would support Johnson this time, Formey left it to other local businessmen to answer. Four years ago, the Savannah Area Business Political Action Committee backed Pete Liakakis over Johnson.

That probably won’t happen this time, said Stephen Green, a member of that committee. He showed up Monday to back Johnson.

“I think he’s worked well with the business community,” Green said.

Meanwhile, District 2 Savannah Alderman Ellis Cook is considering a run either for mayor or alderman at large. He said he will make up his mind in seven to 10 days.

_Courtesy of: Scott M. Larson, Savannah Morning News Published on SavannahNow.com (http://savannahnow.com)

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