Mayor Johnson sets goal for action on key items within first three to six months of council term

Just before Mayor Van Johnson was introduced at Tuesday night's inauguration of the 140th Savannah City Council administration, jazz legend Huxsie Scott sang her rendition of "Savannah Strong."

It was early in Johnson's inaugural address that he drew on that mantra.

"We return to the Savannah Civic Center precisely, exactly four years to the hour that we gathered in 2020, different than we were before, wiser than we were before, more resilient than we were before," Johnson said, "but still unabashedly, unequivocally Savannah strong."

In recent months Johnson has frequently referenced the new administration as a benchmark for top city projects, often saying there would be swift action on key decisions starting January 2024.

Johnson stuck to that message during his speech Tuesday night, referencing the Civic Center, Historic Waterworks building and River Street improvements as a few major projects awaiting next steps. His goal is for City Council to make decisions on many of these projects within the first three to six months of the council term, Johnson said in an interview after the event.

"My philosophy is swing for the fences," Johnson said.

Johnson urges civility, ethics and to keep the Johnny Mercer Theatre

The inauguration was held in the Johnny Mercer Theatre, which was roughly halfway full for Tuesday's ceremonies. The event featured numerous prayers from a host of Savannah's religious leaders and also a share of entertainment from Scott, Teddy Adams and the Savannah Jazz Hall of Fame All Star's. There was also a surprise performance from Grammy Award-winner Stephanie Mills, who shares a high school alma mater with Johnson.

During the inaugural address, Johnson also made a few statements on policy positions. He charged the new council with unanimously passing a civility and ethics ordinance, which received a split vote by the previous administration.

He also made part of his vision for the Civic Center clear, saying he wants to keep the Johnny Mercer Theatre and continue its improvements.

The new mayor and council take office for a crucial set of four years for the city, with coastal Georgia's manufacturing boom already in progress and set to soar later this year as Bryan County's Hyundai Metaplant begins its hires in the midst of a nearly 10,000-unit housing shortage in Chatham County.

"It's a great day to celebrate, to pause, to be able to bring the community together, but then tomorrow morning we are back at work," Johnson said after the inauguration.

The council sworn in Tuesday returns seven incumbents. Carol Bell, the lone newcomer, has a seasoned tenure on the At-Large Post 1 seat she reclaimed in November's election.

Bell said there would be a period of learning the group, which is almost entirely different from the councils she previously served on. But there is numerous city staff Bell has familiarity with, and City Manager Jay Melder seems committed to change, Bell said.

"I am anxious to get back to work," Bell said.

Alicia Miller Blakely and Bernetta Lanier are the two remaining council members that supported Johnson's challenger, former Alderwoman Kesha Gibson-Carter, in November's elections. The previous council became known for its frequent 6-3 divide which featured Blakely, Lanier and Gibson-Carter often in opposition to council's majority-wing.

Johnson closed his speech with a focus on civility, which many have critiqued as a problem of the previous administration due to its divide. Blakely declined an interview request after the event.

The ceremony lasted about three hours, and Johnson's remarks only took up about 30 minutes of the program. The first half hour of the event featured jazz jams from the Jazz Hall of Fame All Stars, which culminated in a performance of Georgia on My Mind by Scott.

The surprise performance by Mills came just after the speech and featured a handful of songs. The night was closed out by an "ecumenical benediction" from Christian, Jewish, and Bahá'í faith leaders.

"It's such an exciting time," Bell said after the event.

Evan Lasseter is the city and county government reporter for the Savannah Morning News. You can reach him at ELasseter@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Savannah Mayor Van Johnson gives inaugural address in Johnny Mercer Theatre