Mayor Skip Henderson delivered his final State of the City remarks in front of a packed audience that included local leaders from the business sector, education, military and public safety arena. Crime is down, morale is up and the search for a new city manager is moving forward. The mayor told the crowd to trust the process; the same process he used to hire a new Fire Chief and Police Chief.
Life is good in Columbus, Georgia right now the mayor told Now Georgia after his remarks. “It is. There’s so much momentum right now and we didn’t even really talk about the fact there’s been so much change. I mean we’ve got a new economic development person; we’ve got a new chamber chair; we’ve got a new visit Columbus with our tourism. We’re going to have a new city manager; we’re going to have a new mayor. We’re going to have a couple new councilors, all of that change bringing all that fresh perspective. Columbus is poised to do great things,” Henderson said.
When Skip Henderson was first elected to city council 30 years ago all eyes were on South Commons and the 1996 Olympics. As he closes out his tenure in public service the city is once again focused on South Commons. “I didn’t think about that but you’re right it kind of comes full circle and the thing is we’ve tried so many times to create some energy in South Columbus and South Commons and we just haven’t been able to really see it take off but I’m convinced that with the Clingstones there as sort of a cornerstone for development we’re gonna get that done,” he said.
Henderson is serving his last year after an eight-year term as mayor. He said he’s not on a farewell tour yet, but it feels good to hear talk of a positive legacy before he leaves office. “Obviously is feels wonderful because I’ve been able to work with so many people. It’s not done in a vacuum right, so councils helped, the private sector helps and Fort Benning and the folks out there help. It’s just a really unique place to live. I know I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else.”
