(in the words of Burton Sauls)
The goal: 50.1% of the vote with no run-off.
The result: 70% of the vote.
Click to hear Otis speak at the victory podium:
6 minutes 30 seconds
It was very dramatic when Otis came into the banquet room. He stated that the goal had been attained, “No run-off!”
Otis showed his leadership from the first moment.
The first thing that Otis Johnson did as the newly re-elected Mayor of Savannah was to read from the scripture:
from Psalms 91
(Abiding in the Shadow of the Almighty)
2 I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress:
my God; in him will I trust.
3 Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.
4 He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.
5 Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;
6 nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.
Otis said, “The spirit didn’t speak to me, I don’t know who anointed whom but I am not claiming to be anointed. You don’t claim those kinds of things. You don’t play with religion.”
Further highlights include:
* Comments on the referendum on four years of service.
* Savannah will be a safe, environmentally friendly, more economically viable community for all of its citizens
* Explanation of the vision. Challenge to work toward the vision.
* We have been making this city government more responsive, more transparent, more accountable and we will continue to do that.
* A 70% victory made history in Savannah!
May 22, 2009 at 10:45 am |
Mayor,
I voted for you because I felt you were the best candidate to force all people in Savannah to work towards improving the city from the top down.
I read your quote online today about Frozen Paradise’s move from Broughton Street being some sort of double standard because a Mexican Restaurant now wants a liquor license at the same address. By double standard, I assume your remark was implying prejudice or racism because Frozen Paradise had a predominantly black clientele.
Frozen Paradise; a night club consistently in the news for various criminal acts – black or white is not important…crime is crime.
T-Rex Mex; A burrito restaurant which wants to serve alcohol.
As Mayor, I expect you to take conversations like this to a higher level than you did with your comments. Broughton Street is one of the most beautiful streets in Savannah and Frozen Paradise was not only unsafe, but looked awful as well.
With comments like the one you made, you are making me regret my vote.