Ramay Will Run For Mayor
Hazlehurst City Councilman John Ramay this week announced his candidacy for Mayor of Hazlehurst in the Nov. 7 City Election. He made the following statement:
Greetings my fellow Hazlehurst residents; my name is John Ramay, and I proudly serve as your Ward 2 City Councilman. Prior to serving on the city council, I was an agriculture teacher and FFA advisor at Jeff Davis High School. Early in my teaching tenure, I discovered that I had fallen in love with Hazlehurst and Jeff Davis County. I knew that this town was where I wanted to live and raise my children, and I was and am proud to provide a positive influence on the youth of our city and county. While I am not originally from Hazlehurst, after my wife and I retired from teaching in the Jeff Davis County school system, we chose to continue to make our home in this great community.
I graduated from Mary Persons High School in Forsyth and I hold degrees from ABAC, GSU, and UGA. My wife Donna and I raised our three children, Andy, LeeAnne, and Veston in Hazlehurst, and all three of our children graduated from Jeff Davis County schools. Donna and I are members of Southside Baptist Church, where I volunteer with the Jolly Friends to help bring joy to area nursing homes by ministering to the residents through song. I am also a member of Gideons International Association. After retiring from education, I became a member of the Retired Educators Association, and maintain an active membership in the organization; I am also active with the Young Farmer Association. Recently, I was honored to be inducted into the Georgia Agriculture Hall of Fame.
During my time as a member of the Hazlehurst City Council, I have learned that progress can happen only when local elected officials focus on the basics of good fiscal stewardship, providing necessary resources for the safety and protection of the community, offering essential services to the citizens, maintaining the municipal infrastructure, and presenting themselves in a professional manner that exhibits integrity and honesty. Sadly, there have been times when the basics did not receive the attention that was needed, and the focus shifted to favorite projects that failed our community. I believe that moving the focus of our city government back to these basic principles begins with a strong leader who will be open to input, discussion, and exploration of all sides of every issue so that the most logical and beneficial decisions can be made for the betterment of every citizen of this great city. This is why, after much prayer and discussion with my family and friends, I have decided to seek election for the office of Mayor of the City of Hazlehurst.
My greatest hope is that every single citizen of Hazlehurst will prayerfully exercise their right to vote in this year’s mayoral election, and when you do, you vote for me, John Ramay. I have no favorite projects or personal agendas, just my desire to see the community I love be the best that it can be. I am not a politician, but I believe that I am the man who, with the Lord’s help, can work with others to get back to the basics, fix our problems, and move forward as a community.
