(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!
