Congratulations to the city of Andalusia on electing Earl Johnson during the mayoral race. Earl Johnson did lots of positive things for Andalusia during his last administration, a time when my family and I were residents of the city. Under his leadership the city got a facelift not only to the downtown but also along the bypass, improvements to East Three Notch and a new elementary school. That kind of forward, out-of-the-box thinking is characteristic of the man, and truly an asset to any community.

I have used downtown Andalusia as an example of fine urban renewal and revitalization in some of my primary duties here in Dothan as the city’s planner assigned to the development of its long-range development plan and minor arterial and collector system. Our downtown area is undergoing a renaissance of sorts and I have shown the improvements to the Andalusia square and surrounding buildings to local developers, stakeholders, politicians and city staff.

We are fortunate enough to have forward-thinking leadership in our city manager, mayor and commissioners. Moving a city ahead sometimes involves unpopular decisions that must be made by the city’s leadership. It takes people with a common vision and commitment to do so and Earl Johnson has all the qualities needed to continue the successful trek that Andalusia started on several years ago.

Steve Spry

Long Range Planner, Planning and Development Department

City of Dothan