9 minute read
City Life & Public Affairs
BEST ARCHITECTURE FIRM Lynch Associates
Lynch Associates Architects, PC was established by Rebecca Lynch in 2005 to practice commercial, residential, and institutional architecture, with an emphasis on contextual urban infill projects, historic preservation, and sustainable design.
BEST CELEBRITY SIGHTING IN TOWN Joe Jonas
Joseph Adam Jonas is an American singer, songwriter, and actor. People him and Sophie Turner at a local coffee shop. The two were in town working on his new movie, “Devotion.”
Runner-up: Sophie Turner
BEST CHARITY EVENT Beer Guys, Cigars, Golf & Poker - Ronald McDonald House
Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Coastal Empire helps families of seriously ill and injured children cope with the stress and expense of daily living while trying to be close and emotionally strong for their child. More than just a room and a hot meal, the Ronald McDonald House© is a home away from home for families faced with a child’s medical crisis.
Runner-up: Savannah Carnaval
BEST CHATHAM COUNTY COMMISSIONER Dean Kicklighter
Dean was elected as the 7th District Commissioner in 2000. In 2006, 2013, 2014 and 2015 the readers voted and selected Dean as the “Best Commissioner” in the “Best Of” edition of the Connect Savannah newspaper. BEST CHATHAM COUNTY EMPLOYEE Jordan Hillis
Jordan Hillis is a Support Specialist I for the Georgia Department of Human Services, Division of Child Support Services.
Runner-up: Catherine Glasby
BEST CITY OF SAVANNAH COUNCIL MEMBER Nick Palumbo
Nick Palumbo was elected to the Savannah City Council in 2019 and serves as the 4th District Alderman for the City of Savannah.
Runner-up: Mayor Van Johnson
BEST CITY OF SAVANNAH EMPLOYEE Mayor Van Johnson
Since inauguration, Mayor Johnson has been at the forefront of best practices in fighting the pandemic. In facing the many challenges this past year, he took a no-win situation for most any politician and turned it into a small political victory.
Runner-up: Chris Parrish
BEST COMMUNITY ACTIVIST Asli Shebe
Originally from Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, Asli has been living in Savannah for six years. When she’s not working with the community she is most likely eating ice cream or searching for plus size thrifted clothing.
Runner-up: Billy Sorochak
BEST CONSERVATIVE SAVANNAHIAN Ben Crystal
With over 25 years behind the microphone, Ben has participated in projects ranging from :15 movie trailers to +20min medical explainers. With formal training in Global and Australian accents, and an uncanny knack for pronouncing didactic and scientific terminology, his voice has been heard from South Africa to Sydney, and Savannah to San Antonio.
Savannah Mayor Van
Johnson was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, but with strong Savannah roots, as he traveled back and forth between the two cities for much of his childhood. After graduating from the New York City Public School System, Johnson earned his undergraduate and graduate degrees from Savannah State University and Georgia Southern University.
The mayor is a former radio talk show host, political commentator and former author of local weekly columns. With this, Johnson has distinguished himself as an independent, thoughtful and passionate voice on current events.
Mayor Johnson was elected as the Savannah City Council’s Alderman for the First District in 2004. The citizens of the district re-elected Johnson for 3 subsequent terms, where he received over 75% of the popular vote. During his tenure as an Alderman, Mayor Johnson served as Mayor Pro Tem and Vice Chairman of Council. Johnson used his platform to advocate on behalf of the least, the last and the lost; and to promote inclusion and equity for all of Savannah’s citizens.
Upon finding out that he was voted ‘Best City Employee’ in the ‘Best Of Savannah’ competition, Johnson said, “To God be the glory because this has been a trying year both personally and professionally.”
Johnson said the award is not his alone.
“When you see me standing here, they say Van Johnson because it’s the face that they see, but I’m really a representative of a 2,400-member team,” Johnson said. “When the Super Bowl is won, everyone is going to the quarterback, but the fact is that the quarterback can’t be very effective if his line is not protecting him, if the running back is not running or the defense is not holding the line.”
Johnson credits all city employees.
“Every single day, every single employee, no matter what department they work in, is making it happen,” Johnson said. “I hope to make them feel more valued.”
Johnson said that the entire city of Savannah team hopes to get even better.
“I accept it on behalf of team Savannah,” Johnson said.
BEST CUTEST COUPLE Rheannon Frette and Viktor Orden
This cute couple shares the light that shines, and they make Savannah sparkle at their BoS winning store, Coven Piercing.
Runner-up: Angel & Billy Sorochak
BEST DOG PARK Daffin Park
Located at 1301 E. Victory Dr., Daffin dog park is the largest dog park in Savannah offering separate off-leash areas for sociable small and large dogs, and those furry friends who like to run. Benches and shading are provided for humans with fountains and swimming tubs for dogs during the warmer months.
Runner-up: Mohawk
BEST FIREFIGHTER TJ Rentiers
Fighting fires is in his blood. T.J. Rentiers, voted Best Local Firefighter comes from a legacy of firefighters dating all the way back to the 1950’s, when his grandfather volunteered with the Tybee Island Fire Department. Rentiers says his ultimate goal is to follow in his grandfather and father’s footsteps and become a Fire Chief one day. Rentiers is assigned to Station 1, in Savannah’s midtown, where he is an advanced firefighter and a relief driver of engines and ladder trucks.
Runner-up: Michael Thompson
Organized in 1733, First African Baptist Church is a National Historic Landmark and, as such, is registered with the National Register of Historic Places.
Runner-up: Davenport House
BEST LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER Terrell Narcisse
Adored by his community for his many years of service, Terrell Narcisse has been voted Best Law Enforcement Officer.
BEST LIBERAL SAVANNAHIAN Travis Coles
His day gig-uh, night gig? Is as manager of Club One. But Travis also serves on the metropolitan Planning Commission and is deeply involved in the ins and outs of local policy and reform.
Runner-up: Clinton Edminster
BEST NEW BUILDING Plant Riverside District
People come from all over to see the latest attractions in Plant Riverside District, especially the newest JW Marriott hotel.
Runner-up: 40 Volume Salon
BEST NEW CITY INITIATIVE Downtowner
Communities of all sizes and types - from small mountain resorts to large urban cities - use Downtowner’s software and operations to deploy on-demand, fixed route and flex route transit systems.
Runner-up: Tides to Trails
BEST NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION Gilliard and Company
Runner-up: S2S Facts
BEST PHILANTHROPIST Billy Sorochak
Sorochak said that he loves leading an organization—Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Coastal Empire— where success is measured by the direct impact they have on critically ill children and their families.
Runner-up: Jessica Belfry
BEST PLACE OF WORSHIP Compassion Christian Church
Over the years, Compassion Christian has seen expansion that covers six campuses, a multi-racial, multi-generational congregation, and a church that has made it its mission to lead people to Jesus not just in Southeast Georgia, but all across the world. Tibet Ave in 1964
Gilliard and Company
began serving families in Fall 2020.
The CEO, Whitney Gilliard, defined Gilliard and Company as a 501c (3) nonprofit that focuses on ending the foster care to homelessness pipeline as well as serving other resources including trauma intervention and essential support services for individuals and families in the foster care system.
Gilliard said she has been in the system and she knows what it’s like. She said she also knows what it’s like to be marginalized and to feel like someone’s service project, so G&Co is very intentional in making sure that’s not the case for the young adults who join their program.
“We are very genuine in what we do, and I am a firm believer in lived experiences,” Gilliard said. “You can’t necessarily reach people unless you truly have been in their predicament, and I believe that, along with our genuine intentions, is truly what captured the heart of our community.”
Gilliard said when people think of foster care, they generally do not think of quality, and a value of G&Co is to ensure that their young adults do not have less than quality experiences.
“One thing we never, never, ever waver on is the quality of care that we give to them,” Gilliard said. “It doesn’t matter how expensive; it doesn’t matter how out of the way; it doesn’t matter how inconvenient — they deserve it and we stand firm on that.”
Gilliard said that she wants young adults to feel hope for their future when they work with G&Co.
“I hope that Gilliard and Company emulates that we are the most hopeful place on earth,” she said.
Gilliard said for G&Co to have won Best Nonprofit Organization in the ‘Best of Savannah’ means the community sees what the organization is doing and stands right behind them. The CEO said she feels the acknowledgement is less of an accolade and more of the community speaking back to the organization.
“I feel like getting this award is the entire community of Savannah looking at us saying ‘keep going, keep doing your work, keep pushing,’ and ‘we’re here for you and we’re standing after you,’” Gilliard said. “That’s the message that we received and it is very encouraging.”
Runner-up: Mosaic Church
BEST PRINCIPAL/ HEADMASTER Alfred McGuire
Woodville-Tompkins High School Principal Alfred McGuire is a graduate of Mercer University. In addition to shaping the minds and lives of his students, he is actively involved in local philanthropic causes to impact lives outside of the classroom.
Runner-up: Gif Lockley
BEST PRIVATE SCHOOL Calvary Day School
Calvary Day School celebrates 60 years of educating students to achieve higher academic, social, emotional and spiritual competencies. While embracing diversity, students, faculty and families follow many pathways to learning through shared goals and a belief in biblical truths. One hundred percent of graduates are accepted to college with 20 percent of them attending Ivy League or Tier 1 schools.
Runner-up:
Savannah Country Day
BEST PUBLIC SCHOOL Savannah Arts Academy
Savannah Arts Academy is the first dedicated performing arts and visual arts school in Savannah. Open since 1998, students focus on communication arts, dance, music, theater and visual arts in addition to their academic studies.
Runner-up: Woodville Tompkins BEST SAVANNAHCHATHAM COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER Dr. Dionne Hoskins
Dr. Hoskins is based in Savannah and works with undergraduate and graduate students on a variety of ecological research topics.
Runner-up: Michael Johnson
BEST SAVANNAHIAN Jennifer Taylor
The director and co-founder of Renegade Paws Rescue, Jennifer Taylor as been working with pet rescues in Savannah since she relocated here nine-years ago.
Runner-up: Billy Sorochak
BEST WORSHIP LEADER Jordan Hillis
A faithful follower of Christ, Hillis has been recognized as Savannah’s Best Worship Leader.
Runner-up: Rev. Andrew Young As pastor of Mosaic Church in Savannah, Reverend Andrew Young leads the community in worship.
MOST CRUSHWORTHY SAVANNAHIAN Lady Von Luft
Burlesque performer with the Savannah Sweet Tease, Lady Von Luft is a tease in the city.
Runner-up: Billy Sorochak
R.I.P., LOCAL PERSON YOU’LL MISS THE MOST Lila Devereaux
Lila passed away in February of this year. A celebration of life was held for her where items were collected and sealed in a time capsule for her three children. Her family expressed: “Lila Devereaux will never be forgotten and will live on forever in the hearts of her family, loved ones, her partners, her friends, anyone that’s she’s ever met, and her beautiful kids.”
Runner-up: John Finney(1938-2020)
