City Hall Is Famaliar Ground For Harvey Johnson

Harvey Johnson returns to City Hall a few days earlier than he planned. Wednesday morning, Johnson was sworn in as Jackson’s interim mayor.
Councilman Leslie McLemore has been serving in the post since Frank Melton died. McLemore has now retired from the city council.
Johnson’s oath was the first of two he will take this week. His official inauguration is Friday at 11:30 at the downtown Convention Complex.
However, Johnson won’t officially assume his full time duties as mayor until next week.
With his wife holding a special Bible from his grandmother Johnson took the oath in the city council chamber, as supporters and city employees looked on.
It’s the third time Johnson has taken the oath of office as Jackson mayor.
Johnson served back to back terms before Melton defeated him four years ago.
“Clearly I’m excited about the opportunity we have here it’s going to take all of us to move this city forward,” Johnson told reporters.
Johnson spent Wednesday meeting city department heads.
“I will be talking with them about my vision and how they fit in the team and my impressions of their abilities.”
There has been a lot of speculation about possible changes in key departments. The police chief’s post is still up in the air.
Johnson has not said whether interim chief Tyrone Lewis will be offered the job permanently as the city’s top cop.
The new mayor also faces a decision on who will lead the city attorney’s office.
Sarah O’Reilly-Evans retired this week from that job. She served in the position under Melton.
For now though, no big decisions are expected. Instead, Johnson has easier goals, like “trying to find out where everything is located.”