Best Conservative
Best State Representative
Jack Kingston
Republican Congressman Jack Kingston has won our reader's choice award for Best Conservative so many years in a row, we've lost count. We decided it was long past time to catch up with the GOP stalwart and ask him why he thinks he's had such a lock on the award.
"It's clearly because my supporters are devoted Connect fans," Kingston quips. "But I really am honored."
Kingston stresses the importance of not falling into the trap of preaching to the converted.
"I like to hope it's because I go out there and listen, but don't back down from my principles, like when I do things like the Bill Maher show," he says. "I try to listen to the good, the bad, and the ugly. It's sort of medicinal."
Kingston says his experience in the minority since the Democratic takeover of the House of Representatives in 2006 has been an important lesson for himself and his Republican colleagues, who apparently got too cozy with the machinery of power during their long majority.
"We learned a lot of lessons. We learned the market works. And that's why we lost our majority," he says.
"We said we were the party of less spending, but we were responsible for things like No Child Left Behind and Medicare Part D. It didn't fit. It forced us to really look in the mirror."
Kingston says a particular lesson everyone has learned is that "people want contrast in their parties, even though neither side has the franchise on righteousness."
These days, according to most polls the Republicans have a good chance of taking over the House of Representatives again in this fall's midterm elections. Kingston says while President Obama's election was a huge landmark in American history, Democrats overreached in their agenda.
"His inauguration was a great moment for America. Everyone wished this president well," he says. "But then machine politics sort of took over."
Kingston says the Tea Party movement has had a "huge impact," but that he doesn't necessarily back them on all things. The key to not letting the Tea Party impact the Republicans in a negative manner - as Democrats were in 2000 by Ralph Nader for example - is keeping the lines of communication open.
"I'm not in agreement with 100 percent of what the Tea Partiers say," Kingston says. "But when you have a good relationship established with someone, then it's easier to agree to disagree on some things." - JM
Runner-up, Conservative: Michael Gaster
Runner-up, Representative: Ron Stephens
Best Liberal
Gunner Hall
People often forget that up until fairly recently, Georgia was a Democratic state. Our governor, Sonny Perdue, was actually a Democrat until 1998.
Your choice for Best Liberal, Gunner Hall, understands this even if others don't.
"Georgia has a long history of voting for Democrats, but sometimes they have problems remembering why," he laughs.
"At the county level and below, Democrats still own the state. It's at that next level up that people aren't buying into the brand. I want to make voters remember why they used to vote Democrat."
Hall does this by serving as campaign manager for smaller-scale Democratic campaigns throughout the state, at the county level where most of the heavy lifting of politics really happens.
"I saw a need for professionally-run campaigns in south Georgia. There were a lot of great people with a lot of great ideas, but nobody knew what to do to get elected."
They do now. In the 2008 election cycle, Hall's candidates were 10 for 12.
"In Monroe County we beat out the incumbent Republican county commission chairman. My candidate got more votes in that race than Jim Marshall or Barack Obama, who were both on the ballot," Hall says. "Now, Monroe County has a balanced budget for the first time ever."
A hunter and sportsman, Hall has taken it as a personal mission to change the face of environmentalism in the state.
"There's no greater environmentalist than a hunter or a fisherman. I hate it that Republicans have been able to steal the rural sportsmen from us, and they've tagged environmentalism as a bad thing."
At the national level, Hall sees a long-term opportunity for Democrats as well.
"Republicans are so regional right now. When Karl Rove was running the show, we were letting them frame issues for us," he says.
"They called us unpatriotic, when Democrats were the ones that led us through World War II. I never really understood that - it was a Democratic president that beat Adolf Hitler." - JM
Best City Council Member
Mayor Otis Johnson
The mayor can't run for re-election next year, but don't call him a lame duck - he's still a force to be reckoned with.
Runner-up: Tony Thomas
Best County Commissioner
Pete Liakakis
You might have seen him presiding over a Commission meeting, but have you ever seen him dance? It's no wonder he's so well-respected.
Runner-up: Dean Kicklighter
Best School Board Member
Dr. Joe Buck
With 40 years of experience in education, the School Board President knows a thing or two about hitting the books.
Runner-up: Susu Cox
Best Local Scandal
Benjamin Eichholz goes to prison
How much of the embezzled money was spent on all those TV ads?
Runner-up: Stephanie Edwards arrested
Best Green/Sustainability Company
Melaver, Inc.
With big projects like Sustainable Fellwood, this local company is "LEED"ing the way for green businesses.
Runner-up: Structured Green
Best Non-Profit Organization
Coastal Pet Rescue
This ambitious group of animal huggers has won the hearts of humans and pets alike with their hard work and dedication.
Runner-up: Humane Society for Greater Savannah
Best Cop
Chief Willie Lovett
Among the biggest local news stories of 2010 so far has been the loss of ‘interim' before the title of Police Chief Willie Lovett - so it's only natural that he should take the title of "Best Cop."
Following Lovett's second stint as interim Chief - once before the Berkow era, and again afterward - the swell of public support for him was impressive to say the least. But that didn't stop a certain amount of political posturing about conducting a nationwide search for Berkow's replacement.
"When the city offered me the job, that was a proud moment in my life, but I was even prouder of the support from across Chatham County," Lovett says about the day he was finally offered the job.
Judging by the reduction in the crime rate over the past few months, naming Lovett to the post was a good decision. He knows the city well and has spent the better part of three decades protecting and serving it.
"Certain people thought that we would go downhill," says Lovett. "I'm proud of the fact that members of this agency have made sure that didn't happen."
He attributes some of his success to having a better understanding of the resources already available, and how to utilize the skills people already have. One small change that has made a big difference is giving more control to each precinct.
"The people we had working in precincts were always dedicated to this agency but because of certain restraints that were placed on them, they weren't allowed to do what they were trained to do," Lovett explains.
Looking to the future, the Chief seems to have a positive outlook, but isn't quite ready to rest on the laurels of his early success.
"One thing we can ill afford to do is stop. We can't get to a point in thinking that we've made it," says Lovett. "We must continue to pursue every angle that we can in terms of reducing crime, putting those people who need to be behind bars." - PR
Best Local Activist
Tom Kohler
The Savannah/Chatham Citizen's Advocacy founder sets a perfect example for locals who stay involved.
Runner-up: Martin Sullivan
Best CAT Driver
Tom Parrish
Repeat winner Mr. Parrish drives his route with a smile.
Runner-up: Doug Andrews
Best Judge
Louisa Abbot
The Honorable Judge Abbot also won this title in 2008, and humbly stated back then: "I certainly do not consider myself the ‘Best Judge' in Savannah. There are far too many outstanding Judges in this community who've been valued public servants for many years, and I can only aspire to someday possess the wisdom they have displayed." She must be doing something right, though.
Runner-up: Mary Katherine Moss
Best Firefighter
Holt Coursey
Coursey is a highly decorated Captain with over three decades of experience.
Runner-up: Carl Smith
Best Paramedic
Don Lamb
As a Flight Paramedic with LifeStarOne at Memorial Health, Lamb is part of a team that provides helicopter transport to patients in critical condition.
Runner-up: Tim Ainsworth
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