(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of The Augusta Press.)
Augusta taxpayers gave themselves an early Christmas present when they rejected the status quo and voted in Garnett Johnson as mayor of the Garden City.
Opinion
Johnson is already a breath of fresh air, and he hasn’t even officially begun his term. At his swearing-in ceremony, Johnson gave an off-the-cuff, quick speech that clocked in at under five minutes.
In that short speech, Johnson did not tout his experience or education. He did not use the well-worn phrases of how Augusta “has so much potential” or is “a diamond in the rough.”
Rather, Johnson thanked his parents for providing him a healthy upbringing and humbly asked the citizens to pray for him as he takes on the challenge of leading a chronically dysfunctional government.
The mayor of Augusta has no legislative power and cannot hire or fire department heads; however, he can set the tone and use the bully pulpit to express an agenda. The mayor of Augusta can lead by example, and Johnson is already putting that into practice.
Gone are the days of long pontifications from the dais under the guise of “personal privilege.”
Gone are the days when a mayor would dare tell taxpayers to pool money from their philanthropist friends and fix the burned out street lights and replace damaged monuments.
Gone are the days where taxpayers routinely played the game of “Where’s Waldo,” only to receive a credit card statement showing Mayor Waldo globetrotting and spending money like the city of Augusta has its own mint.
Mayor Johnson certainly has his work cut out for him, but thus far, he seems to be signaling that his intention is to deliver the gift of good, honest and transparent government, and that is exactly what this long suffering city needs.
