Remarks by Van R. Johnson, II
238 remarks on the record, newest first · Page 2 of 10
- Play at 12:35
“I'm the mayor, so I'm going to agendize it. Again, it's within your purview, so we're just going to do that just as a matter of public record. I think hopefully y'all don't mind that.”
City Council · Jul 9, 2026
- Play at 12:46
Not quoted here: it may name a member of the public. Hear it at the meeting.
City Council · Jul 9, 2026
- Play at 19:11
“Thank you. While we have all the partners, a name and an agency you're representing.”
City Council · Jul 9, 2026
- Play at 20:41
“All right, name an organization. So come on, come on, come on. Christina, come on. We'll start here, name an organization.”
City Council · Jul 9, 2026
- Play at 21:02
“Tom Bullock, chair of the board for Healthy Savannah.”
City Council · Jul 9, 2026
- Play at 22:29
“And Van Johnson, a member of the Chatham County Board of Health. I am, so thank you all so much. Again, we appreciate your hard work, and it's important sometimes to go back and remember how far you've come. And so we appreciate all of you, appreciate your advocacy, and appreciate you for being so mad and strong.”
City Council · Jul 9, 2026
- Play at 22:59
“We now have an appearance and recognition of Georgia Power for supporting the City Hall Interior Restoration Project for China.”
City Council · Jul 9, 2026
- Play at 27:23
“And ladies and gentlemen, I think we have some champions in the house. I'm looking. I don't see them. I know I don't hear them. Do we have some champions in the house? Yes. That's a little bit weak. Do we have any champions in the house? Come on up, champions. Let's take a look at you. Come on. Come on, ladies.”
City Council · Jul 9, 2026
- Play at 28:15
“You're not going to give me no tap? You're not going to give me no tap? You're not going to give me no tap?”
City Council · Jul 9, 2026
- Play at 28:33
“So I have you on this side. Ladies and gentlemen, let me introduce these amazing young ladies. The mayor and alderman of the city of Savannah proudly recognize the outstanding accomplishments of the Savannah Police Athletic League. girls flag football program whose athletes, coaches, volunteers, and members of the Savannah Police Department demonstrated exceptional commitment to youth development, teamwork, sportsmanship, and community engagement. And whereas the Savannah Police Athletic League continues to strengthen relationships between law enforcement and youth of our community by…”
City Council · Jul 9, 2026
- Play at 29:52
“Season, which is three teams combining for an outstanding 21 wins and nine losses.”
City Council · Jul 9, 2026
- Play at 30:06
“But get this, finishing first, second, and third.”
City Council · Jul 9, 2026
- Play at 30:18
“In The Savannah, City of Savannah's Girls Flag Football League Tournament, an extraordinary accomplishment that reflects the dedication of athletes, coaches, volunteers, and supporters of this program. Whereas PAL Team Purple Rain, where's Purple Rain? I mean, don't get here and get cute now. Make some noise for them. Where's Purple Rain? All right. Coached by Udon Carter. captured both the 2026 regular season championship and the 2026 tournament championship, finishing with an outstanding 9-1. Yeah. Overall record. And they, Al Escobar, secured the championship by defeating Pal Team Maroon…”
City Council · Jul 9, 2026
- Play at 32:55
“I mean, let me in on the joke. I mean, I don't know. Y'all laughing.”
City Council · Jul 9, 2026
- Play at 32:59
“All right. Obviously. Whereas these accomplishments are a testament not only to the dedication of the athletes, but also the unwavering commitment of their coaches, families, volunteers, and the members of the Savannah Police Department, whose mentorship and service continues to inspire the next generation of leaders. Now, therefore, I, Van R. Johnson, the second mayor of the city of Savannah, on behalf of the Savannah City Council and the citizens of this great city, do hereby congratulate the 2026 Savannah Powell Athletic League Girls Flag Football Championship Team, Purple Reign, But we…”
City Council · Jul 9, 2026
- Play at 34:53
“That's right. And so we said we would. We said we would, let's try flag football. And it's been an absolute success here. More importantly, the mothers of tomorrow are right here. The princesses of today, right here. And if they can succeed here in flag football, they can succeed in school. They can succeed in their communities. They can succeed in life, they can succeed at home, and they don't need no crazy head boy telling them what to do, right? That's right.”
City Council · Jul 9, 2026
- Play at 35:45
“Clock that. Yeah. Yeah. So I want to thank council for the continued support, certainly city manager to chief, there he is, all right, to... To Chief Gunther, Chief Gavin, to Coach Carter, to all of them, Devon Adams, when he was here, he was my lead on this. Again, wonderful way for us to engage with police in a constructive way and another way for us to get them off the street.”
City Council · Jul 9, 2026
- Play at 36:23
“But we also recognize that it takes an entire village to raise young people. So to our parents and moms, grandmoms, dads, thank you. Thank you for allowing us to love on your young people, sometimes in a little harsh way, a little stern way, but it builds character. And to all of our coaches, thank you, thank you, thank you.”
City Council · Jul 9, 2026
- Play at 39:22
“We'll start here, your name and your grade in school, okay? Yes. Yes. I run this, yes. Yes. So, but you have to do it loud so everybody can hear you. So we're gonna start here. Come on, come on sweetie, come on. Don't make me get coach on you. Name and school, come on.”
City Council · Jul 9, 2026
- Play at 43:37
“And to all of our coaches, y'all come up, but don't tell us what school you go to, OK?”
City Council · Jul 9, 2026
- Play at 44:23
“Y'all must have really practiced that, so. Thank you all again, ladies, again. If you look, one second, y'all, one second. I want all of you to turn around. Because if you look back at these jerseys, you see what they say? It says Savannah, right? So you're representing us. You're representing your families. You're representing yourselves, all right? Keep making us proud. Be champions everywhere you go. God bless you all, and congratulations. Thank you all so much. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, Major Young, Coach Carter.”
City Council · Jul 9, 2026
- Play at 45:36
“I want to take a quick minute before we move on. Chef Joe Jackson is here. And we have our interns from a seat at the table. Would y'all stand up and come through for a minute? Nobody ate it. Yeah. Y'all come on up. So Chef Jack Jackson and these amazing young people from a seat at the table, Chef Jackson has an amazing business in which he mentors through a youth culinary and military program. And so just so that you know, these individuals provided your lunch today. So, Chef, thank you so much, and you're part of our Launch Savannah initiative, so I was excited to spend time with you this…”
City Council · Jul 9, 2026
- Play at 47:17
“Mayor Johnson. Y'all big old fellas, so I want to hear some bass in your voice. Come on. Name and...”
City Council · Jul 9, 2026
- Play at 48:14
“It's better to be all right than not all right. So we'll take it. Come on.”
City Council · Jul 9, 2026
- Play at 49:09
“Let me also mention that for the ONES grants that we offer every year, that we fund, they're one of the grantees. So you see where... You see where your funds, your benevolence helps and goes directly to young people. Yes, ma'am.”
City Council · Jul 9, 2026