Dual Endorsement of Jeff Felser & Edna Jackson:
Savannah Mayor 

These two candidates have exceptionally strong records in supporting LGBT issues in Savannah.  Their positions are so similar we felt it was not fair to the community or to the candidates to make an endorsement  in this race.

JEFF FELSER - LOST
Felser was elected to Savannah's City Council in 2003 and re-elected in 2007 and he has served for eight years as an Alderman at Large (city-wide). In addition to his employment and elected service, Felser is active in numerous philanthropic, religious, professional and community organizations.


EDNA JACKSON - WON
Jackson is a Savannah native who worked for Savannah State University for 30 years before being elected to the City Council. She has been serving on the city council for 5 years and is the At-Large Alderman for Post 1. Jackson also serves as the mayor pro tem.

WON

Carol Bell: Savannah Alderman at Large

WON

Tom Bordeaux: Savannah Alderman at Large

WON

Van Johnson: Savannah City Council District 1

Johnson is a native of Brooklyn, NY, who holds Bachelors and Masters Degrees from Savannah State College and Georgia Southern University respectively. Johnson is a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) and is a Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council (POST) certified peace officer and law enforcement instructor. Johnson serves as the Employee Services and Training Manager for Chatham County Government and has been serving on the City Council since January 2004. He is the Director of the Chatham County Youth Commission and is the Council liaison for the Savannah Youth Council. He has served as the Vice Chairman of Council since 2004.

WON

Mary Osborne: Savannah City Council  District 2

Mary Osborne is a native Savannahian who graduated from St. Pius X High School. She moved to New York to study nursing and practiced there for sixteen years. On return to Savannah, she earned her Bachelors Degree in Nursing from Armstrong State College. She was employed by St. Joseph/Candler Hospital for twenty-six years. Osborne served as a community activist for over twenty years establishing three neighborhood associations and serving on several housing boards with a goal to create affordable housing and homeownership. A graduate of Leadership Savannah, Class of 1982-1984 and elected to serve as 2nd District Alderwoman in 2004 and is presently serving her second term.

WON

John Hall: Savannah City Council  District 3

No biograply available

LOST

Pam Miller: Savannah City Council District 4

Georgia Equality is proud to endorse Pam Miller for Savannah City Council. Pam is the first Georgia Equality endorsed challenger of 2011.

Pam is recently retired as Corporate Vice President of Development and Operations from UHS Management Services where her general duties included financial and operational analysis of behavioral health programs, product line development, operational oversight of managed contracts, strategic alliances with non-UHS facilities, contract negotiations and development of marketing and collateral material.

She has long been active in civic activities. Pam is the current President of the Kensington Park Community Association. She most recently has served as the Chair of the Chatham-Savannah Authority for the Homeless; Co-founded the Citizens for a Safe Secure Savannah, a grassroots organization focused on limiting hazardous material transport through Savannah; Co-founded the Savannah Traffic Calming Committee.

She has been recognized for her work in civil and human rights, is listed on the Wall of Tolerance for her efforts in civil and human rights and was the recipient of Savannah Pride’s first Lifetime Achievement Award.

Pam graduated magna cum laude from Barry College with a degree in psychology. She is also a certified mental health administrator. She has 2 daughters and 4 grandchildren and has lived in the Kensington Park neighborhood for the last 12 years.

LOST

Warren Hickman: Savannah City Council District 5

Warren is a long-standing resident of Savannah’s 5th District – 52 years!  He was born in Ridgeland, SC.  His family moved to Savannah in 1959.  They moved to the Tatemville community, and then later they lived in the Ardsley Park/Bingville community.  He attended A. E. Beach High School, and graduated from Frankfurt High School, in Frankfurt, West Germany.  He is a Vietnam War era veteran.

Warren has completed coursework while in the military as well as at SSU, Savannah Tech, and the University of Phoenix.  Most of his career has been dedicated to the fields of aviation, transportation and tourism.  Currently, he is the general manager and co-founded of K-Shuttle of Kelley Tours.  He runs the company’s transportation services at Savannah International Airport, with offices in Hilton Head and Garden City.  He also serves as member of Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce, the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce, and Tourism Leadership Council of Savannah. He holds several Red Cross certifications, and participated with the Red Cross in Louisiana during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

He worked as field organizer and deputy director for the Obama Campaign in 2008, supervising the efforts of more than 100 volunteers to get President Obama elected to office. After the campaign, he served as a Vice-Chair of CCDC.  In November 2010, he worked with the Coordinated Campaign of the DPG to facilitate GOTV activities for this important mid-term election.

Warren wants to be the next Alderman for District 5 because of “Family” Warren has four children his oldest son, Danny of Savannah, Adam, of Savannah, Kia of Dublin Ca, Aaron of Columbia

WON

Lance Rhodes: East Point City Council - Ward B 

Georgia Equality is proud to endorse Lance Rhodes for East Point City Council - Ward B for the third time.  Rhodes has also received an endorsement for the third time by the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund.

In his first two terms of office, Rhodes managed to pass several pieces of legislation that advance equality and fairness and has been instrumental in creating a culture of acceptance and tolerance in East Point. 

“In a world defined by difference, our strength depends on our common humanity.  During my two terms in office, East Point citizens have demonstrated vision and a steadfast resolve to support equal rights within the LGBT community. We have seen a range of actions from the adoption of Domestic Partner Benefits to the inclusion of the LGBT community in our City Charter. Georgia Equality’s mission to build a fair majority has provided the foundation necessary to realize the dream of the LGBT community to receive equal and fair opportunity.  Thank you Georgia Equality and Victory Fund for providing the resources necessary to support East Point in becoming a star for the LGBT community in Georgia. Your continued endorsement is the corner stone of our success.” ~ Lance Rhodes

Rhodes has been active in his East Point community since first establishing his residency there. He began his service early on by serving on the Planning and Zoning Commission. In addition, he served on the Finance and Budget Committees and Pension Board.

During his tenure on the East Point Council, Rhodes received the high honor of the elected official of the month award from Georgia Equality.  He was the first recipient of this award that has historically been reserved for national and state representatives.  In addition to being a member of Georgia Equality, Councilman Rhodes is a member of the Human Rights Campaign and a member of Georgia Association of Latino Elected Officials. 

Council Member Rhodes has been with his partner Roger for 20 years.

LOST

Kenneth DeLeon: East Point City Council - Ward C

"Born in San Antonio, Texas, I joined the United States Marine Corps Reserve immediately upon graduation, where I served for over nine years. I am a veteran in the support of the first Gulf War. In the Service, I developed the principles of Leadership and Commitment, that I will bring to Council when elected.

My education includes Criminal Justice studies at Dallas Community College and Computer Science studies at Western Arizona College. I will utilize my training, along with my experience as an Auxiliary Police Officer, to bring about positive changes in public safety: Police, Fire, and EMT.

My Twenty-Seven years of work experience ranges from corporate to government to law enforcement. I am a 21 year veteran with Delta Airlines having worked my way up from entry level to Management. At the same time, dealing with the challenges and difficulties of running a small business. I draw from a wealth of different experiences to deal with our challenges.

Having worked as a volunteer for many years with community outreach programs such as: Meals on Wheels, Habitat for Humanity, Youth Pride and numerous local animal rescue shelters, I understand the personal benefits of supporting and learning from the Community-At-Large. I will bring these principles of Service and Selflessness with me to Public Office.

I was serving as an East Point Representative for the Fort McPherson Planing Local Redevelopment Authority (MPLRA) from (Mar.2006 - Dec.2010) and am currently serving as the a Mayoral appointee to the Fort McPherson Local Implementation Redevelopment Authority (MILRA) and was selected by the Governor of Georgia to continue to serve on the MILRA from Sept. 2009 - Present).

While on the MLRA board, I have built great working relationships with business and community leaders, and elected officials at all levels of government. I will draw upon these ties to bring greater growth and prosperity to East Point.

When elected, I will bring my strong work ethic and love for East Point to City Council to move our city forward. The Power of a Society lies in the voice of its people". ~ Kenneth DeLeon

LOST

Steve Bennett: East Point City Council - Ward A

"The Honorable Steve Bennett has served as a councilmember for the City of East Point Ward A since January of 2008.

Since joining the East Point City Council, Councilman Bennett has rendered unprecedented service to the community. Prior to his tenure on City Council, Councilman Steve Bennett served as Chair of the City of East Point’s Planning and Zoning Commission until December 31, 2007.

Councilman Bennett is an architect. He worked twenty-four years with the architectural firm, W.L. Corley and Associates. He is also experienced in the fields of contracting and property management.

Councilman Bennett is the proud parent of four children, two sons and two daughters. Councilman Bennett enjoys woodworking and riding motorcycles.

“I love our City,” stated Councilman Steve Bennett. “I have lived in East Point all of my life. I graduated from Russell High School. I am committed to serving the fine residents of our great City, and look forward to all of us working together, including elected officials, municipal staff, residents, business owners and visitors, as a team and with respect.”