Click on the audio player below to hear Mayor Otis Johnson address the Downtown Business Association on January 9, 2008. 16 minutes 7 seconds
Synopsis:
… it’s January 2008, this is the kind of leader I’m trying to be…
Praxis prax·is n (formal)
1.the practical side and application of something such as a professional skill, as opposed to its theory. (Joining together theory and practice).
City government should be more responsive, more transparent, more accountable…
… building a coalition, the need to build a team…
… the Lebanon Plantation planning retreat for the mayor-council team, for one day a year in the first week of the year…
… we need a leader, and a group of leaders to analyze the past, contemplate the future…
… regionalism is the new catchword for government in the 21st century…
… how are we planning to be the cultural, economic, social and political hub of this region…
… we must look at the way we operate, partner, collaborate…
… prepare for the new regionalism that’s going to come…
… issues such as sharing water, transportation, … with Bryan, Effingham, Beaufort, Jasper counties and all the counties all around…
… we must be driven by a vision of a safe, environmentally healthy, economically thriving community for all of the citizens… The vision drives you, inspires you.
The Council has set a list of priorities…
…
… we instituted quarterly Town Hall meetings … direct democracy …
…
Give respect to get respect.
…
The Council has been able to articulate our work… we must work with the city to embrace this vision.
…
In 2011 will Savannah be better off than in 2008?
…come with a plan, work your plan, be accountable for your plan…
How well have I done with the stewardship?
Otis Johnson discusses regionalism in the 21st century.
Soon after Robert James introduced the Honorable Otis S. Johnson as the newly installed 64th Mayor of the City of Savannah on January 2, 2008, Otis let the room know that he planned to speak the truth as he felt the spirit move him.
Click on the audio player below to hear selected excerpts from “the last inaugural speech you’ll ever hear” from Otis Johnson. (11 minutes 8 seconds) Topics include:
Crime, economic development, the opportunity infrastructure in Savannah, bridging barriers, a call for leadership from the citizens.
“Democracy depends on the involvement and the participation of an informed and mobilized populace.”
“… we’re not mind readers, we need you to be involved…”
“… In the next four years I’m going to be off the leash. I’m going to talk about personal responsibility, about institutional barriers to people’s welfare…”
“… I’ve had a good life, so now I’m going to be a truth-talker…”
“… It’s not the liberals, it’s not the conservatives…”
“We must assume responsibility for ourselves, our families, and our communities.”
Mayor Johnson issued a challenge to recognize that “… we are not poor, we often act poor … We waste resources, we should commit ourselves to the principle that nobody is going to help us but ourselves… ”
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!
On November 6th at the Inn on Ellis Square, Otis made sure to thank many of those involved with his campaign.
Click on the audio link below to hear Otis in his own words: 4 minutes 27 seconds
Click on the audio player below to hear Mayor Otis Johnson and Pete Liakakis, Chairman of the Chatham County Commission, at the Get Out the Vote Rally: 6 minutes 38 seconds
