2011-09-20

Joe Johnson | Eufaula, Oklahoma


Joe Johnson |  Eufaula, Oklahoma

Editor – Mayor – Judge – Chief Justice – Career Manager

Joe Johnson wore many hats and started his political career while attending college at Eastern and at the University of Oklahoma. This was before running and getting elected  Mayor of the City of Eufaula at the age of 24

 

                     Joe Johnson Eufaula recieves the prestigious award of Student Senator of the year during his sophomore year at Eastern State College at Wilburton Oklahoma. He was also elected as the President of the Young Democrats at the University of Oklahoma his junior year where he majored in pre-law.




Joe Johnson sets behind the desk he occupied for over 23 years as the full time Mayor of Eufaula Oklahoma. He was elected as the youngest Mayor in Oklahoma history at that time. It was 1975 and he held it longer than any elected official in Eufaula's  history.

Chief Justice Joe Johnson of the Muskogee Creek Nation . Johnson was appointed by three different Chiefs and served on the Supreme Court for over 16 years. He was Chief Justice for 10 years.


Eufaula Oklahoma Mayor Joe Johnson participated in many ribbon cuttings through out his 23 year tenure

Eufaula Oklahoma Mayor Joe Johnson participated in many ribbon cuttings through out his 23 year tenure.


In May of 1976 Eufaula's youngest Mayor took on the project of  helping get the funding and completing the construction of the 33 bed municipal Hospital--- here the first administrator George Oakie,  Mayor Joe Johnson then Governor David Boren along with Eufaula city attorney Kenneth Lackey cut the ribbon for the grand opening. This was Johnson first project for the city of Eufaula and he chaired the hospital board  for approximately 10 years before he spearheaded the sale of the Hospital to a private group. It still serves the City of  Eufaula Oklahoma and sets a top of a hill over looking Lake Eufaula with every room having a view of the lake.





Eufaula Oklahoma mayor Joe Johnson cuts the ribbon opening the road for the new industrial access road opening up the forty acre tract for a number of industries that located there. The Oklahoma Mayor was able to obtain funding from the State highway dept to complete the project.  Pictured with Mayor Johnson is several city council members including Don Wilkerson, Eufaula Vice Mayor Glenn Pitman, several chamber members, Oklahoma State Senator Frank Shurden and Oklahoma Main Street Director Les Hall.
Go Vacations took over the 79 house boats first placed by Three Buoys from Canada and offered them for rent on Lake Eufaula Oklahoma here Eufaula Mayor Joe Johnson and Eufaula community development director Stan Kelly along with chamber officials and several houseboat employees cut the ribbon welcoming them to Eufaula Oklahoma.

Eufaula Oklahoma Mayor Joe Johnson along with Councilman Don Wilkerson and several other Eufaula City and chamber of commerce officials  help with the ribbon cutting and grand opening of Pete's Deli in downtown Eufaula Oklahoma.

Eufaula Oklahoma Mayor Joe Johnson cuts the ribbon for the opening of a 24 unit apartment building he and his partner Stan Kelly built near the lakeshore of Lake Eufaula.


A new doctors office opened in downtown Eufaula Oklahoma with Mayor Joe Johnson helping with the ribbon cutting along with several other city and chamber officials.
Eufaula Oklahoma Vice Mayor . school board chairman and several other officials  help Mayor Joe Johnson with the ribbon cutting for a new furniture store locating in the Burham building in downtown Eufaula Oklahoma.
Marks country store added the Specialty shops here owner Barbara Wheeler cuts the ribbon assisted by Eufaula Oklahoma Mayor Joe Johnson and several other city officials including Eufaula Vice Mayor Glenn Pittman.

Dr Glenn Odom opens his optometry office on south main in Eufaula Oklahoma here Mayor Joe Johnson and other city and chamber officials cut the ribbon for the grand opening.
A new veterinary clinic opened in Eufaula Oklahoma-- here community development director Stan Kelly Eufaula city councilman John Harkey assist Dr Mike Aday with the ribbon cutting along with employees and chamber members. Eufaula Mayor Joe Johnson and his dog Snort assist.

One of  the many achievements Eufaula Oklahoma Mayor Joe Johnson was most proud of was getting Braums to locate in Eufaula here he cuts the ribbon with several Braums employees and other Eufaula city officials. The facility brought approximately 30 new jobs to Eufaula Oklahoma. Mayor Johnson worked for several months convincing the owners to locate to his community.

One of the largest houseboat rental company in the world was convinced to locate to Eufaula Oklahoma by Mayor Joe Johnson.Three Bouys houseboats of Canada located a fleet of  79 52 foot boats to Eufaula cove marina and created approximately 50 jobs and thousand of tourism dollars for  Eufaula. Here Mayor Joe Johnson along with Oklahoma State Senator Frank Shurden assist founder Randy Carroll with the ribbon cutting.
A Shears opened her shop on Simpson street in Eufaula Oklahoma offering $5.00 haircuts and became popular fast. Here Mayor Joe Johnson helps with the ribbon cutting.



Eufaula Oklahoma Mayor Joe Johnson along with Oklahoma State Senator Frank Shurden cuts the ribbon for the new baseball field the Mayor was able to get the Oklahoma State tourism dept to fund at Eufaula Cove on Lake Eufaula. Others included are State Representative Dusty Rhodes and several city councilman.

Voight motors opens the new Chevrolet dealership on Birks road in Eufaula Oklahoma here Mayor Joe Johnson several city council members, the Voight family and employees cut the ribbon for the grand opening.




Medical Home Health opens a new clinic near the hospital helping with the ribbon cutting is Eufaula Oklahoma Mayor Joe Johnson.


Links about Eufaula


Eufaula, Oklahoma on Travelok.com
Eufaula, Oklahoma on Wikipedia.com

'Our Mayor' A Poem by Marie Turley written for Eufaula Mayor Joe Johnson

 Written for Eufaula Mayor Joe Johnson when he was elected the first time in 1975.  Mrs Turley was a well known local poet and civic leader.  Her husband Elbert was a former Mayor of Eufaula and convinced Johnson into running when he was at thier home doing a feature story on Elbert for the local newspaper the Indian Journal.  Johnson went on to serve 23 years winning 5 elections and never being defeated to the full time post. This was longer than any Mayor in the history of the city
'Our Mayor' A Poem by Grandma Turley Written for Eufaula Mayor Joe Johnson







Joe Johnson wore many hats and started his political career while attending college at Eastern and at the University of Oklahoma. This was before running and getting elected  Mayor of the City of Eufaula at the age of 24.

Eufaula Mayor Joe Johnson Elected Chairman For the Eastern Oklahoma Development district which covers seven counties in Oklahoma

Eufaula Mayor Joe Johnson Elected Chairman For the Eastern Oklahoma Development district which covers seven counties in Oklahoma

Eufaula Mayor Joe Johnson Elected Chairman For EODD

Joe Johnson wore many hats and started his political career while attending college at Eastern and at the University of Oklahoma. This was before running and getting elected  Mayor of the City of Eufaula at the age of 24.

Eufaula City Council Members Nominate Eufaula Mayor Joe Johnson for OML Rider Award

Eufaula Oklahoma Indian Journal reports


Eufaula City Council Members Nominate Eufaula Mayor Joe Johnson for OML Rider Award



Eufaula City Council Members Nominate Eufaula Mayor Joe Johnson for OML Rider Award





Joe Johnson wore many hats and started his political career while attending college at Eastern and at the University of Oklahoma. This was before running and getting elected  Mayor of the City of Eufaula at the age of 24.


Eufaula Mayor Joe Johnson Appointed To State Municipal League.

 Joe Johnson contiuned to serve on the board of directors  which represents all of the cities  and towns in the state of Oklahoma for 18 years. This was longer than any other elected offical in the leagues 75 year history.
Eufaula Mayor Joe Johnson  Appointed To State Municipal League






Joe Johnson wore many hats and started his political career while attending college at Eastern and at the University of Oklahoma. This was before running and getting elected  Mayor of the City of Eufaula at the age of 24.

Eufaula Oklahoma Mayor Joe Johnson Selected to Appear in The 1978-79 Edition of Personalities of The South.

Eufaula Oklahoma Mayor Joe Johnson Selected to Appear in The 1978-79 Edition of Personalities of The South.  The young Mayor recieved national recognition because of his many accomplishments in municipal  government


Eufaula Mayor Joe Johnson Selected to Appear in The 1978-79 Edition of Personalities of The South



Joe Johnson wore many hats and started his political career while attending college at Eastern and at the University of Oklahoma. This was before running and getting elected  Mayor of the City of Eufaula at the age of 24.

State Labor Department Presents the City of Eufaula with a special safety award

State Labor Department Presents the City of Eufaula  with a special safety award .  Under Eufaula Oklahoma Mayor Joe Johnson's leadership the city went for years without a major accident earning them this award

State Labor Department Gives City of Eufaula Award



Joe Johnson wore many hats and started his political career while attending college at Eastern and at the University of Oklahoma. This was before running and getting elected  Mayor of the City of Eufaula at the age of 24.

Eufaula Mayor Joe Johnson Settles into Job

Eufaula Mayor Joe Johnson Settles into Job--- the new Mayor was only 24 years old when elected and was considered the youngest Mayor ever elected in the state of Oklahoma at that time in 1975.  His crtics said because of his mustache and longer than convential hair style he could never be elected.  Also he  was   a student at the University of Oklahoma when he ran.


Eufaula Mayor Joe Johnson Settles into Job


Joe Johnson wore many hats and started his political career while attending college at Eastern and at the University of Oklahoma. This was before running and getting elected  Mayor of the City of Eufaula at the age of 24.

2011-09-14

Joe Johnson- Editor – Mayor – Judge – Chief Justice – Career Manager


Joe Johnson- Editor – Mayor – Judge – Chief Justice – Career Manager

            Joe Johnson has worn many hats during his career. During college he was a student leader and got involved campus politics. He was also the editor of the student news paper while studying journalism. He went on to be the editor of two different weekly’s the Hartshorne Sun and the states oldest the Indian Journal. He ran and won five different terms as Eufaula’s full time Mayor. Johnson served as the Municipal Judge for six years. He was appointed to the Mvskoke Creek nation supreme court by three different chiefs and was selected by the courts other Justices to be the Chief Justice for ten years. Currently he runs a large career consulting firm as Executive Vice President in Texas.
        Years ago, Joe Johnson was covering the city council while working for the Eufaula Indian Journal. He didn’t like some of the things he saw, and being young and brash, he thought he could do a better job.
            He campaigned hard in 1975 for the full time city managerial position, and when the final tally was in, 24-year-old Joe Johnson had become the youngest mayor in the state and held the job continuously longer than any mayor in Eufaula’s history.
            He held the position for over 24 years. The consensus from Eufaula’s citizens, his peers in the city management positions and government professionals is that Joe Johnson has been a strong and effective leader… bringing stability, industrial growth and cultural enrichment to this community along the shore of lake Eufaula.
            As some measure o the respect her earned from his peers in city management, Johnson was elected president of the Oklahoma Municipal League – despite the fact that he served less that the normal tenure on the board of directors before being chosen for the post. He was the first President to be elected two continuing terms in the history of the 75-year-old organization.  Johnson was also the only small town mayor to ever receive the George Nigh Mayor of the Year Awards.
            Johnson is not unduly modest, but while proud of his achievements he passes around accolades to citizens, city employees, and city council members. “Our accomplishments are because off the good help we have.”
            The life-long Eufaula area resident grew up in the Stidham area and finished high school at Crowder in 1968. He then went on to Eastern State College at Wilburton, where he studied journalism – something of a family tradition going back to his great-great uncle, Alexander Posey, a noted Creek statesman who once edited the Eufaula Indian Journal. Johnson then furthered his education at the University of Oklahoma studying pre-law.
            There were many accomplishments under Johnson’s administration. A 7,500 square foot building to house the Department of Human Services was completed in 1983. Located near the Eufaula Hospital, the new Facility is leased from the City by the State of Oklahoma. A thirty-three bed hospital was completed soon after Mayor Johnson took office and was sold after eight years of City ownership at a profit of $1 million.   The proceeds were used to retire the debt for the City’s matching share of the grant for the water plant and to match a CDBG grant, which funded the purchase and renovation of a 7,500 square foot community center. A fire station was purchased in 1983 with sales tax revenue.
            A new 6,000 square foot library was completed in 1986 with Mayor Johnson spearheading the effort to obtain $150,000 in state and private grants. The total cost was $500,000. The balance was made up of donations from local citizens. A new 5,000 square foot building for the McIntosh County Health Department was completed in 1987 and allowed the Department to occupy a new building without any capital outlay.
            In 1986, Mayor Johnson also directed the razing of the original City Hall and remodeling of the former community center into offices for the new City Hall and a completely remodeled jail facility. The original community center was built in 1941 by the National Youth Administration.
            In the past ten years over four hundred houses have been renovated. These primarily elderly citizens who cannot do the work required and could not afford to hire contractors to do the repairs.
            Mayor Johnson also oversees a summer recreation program which offers baseball, swimming, swimming lessons, softball, volleyball and tennis. Mayor Johnson developed the program with the help of local merchants. One of Mayor Johnson’s favorite triumphs was the completion of the new lake access road connection No. 9 highway and Lakeshore Drive.
            Mayor Johnson was responsible for developing a 43 acre Certified Industrial Park.  He has also been a driving force behind the Eufaula Main Street Program. This economic revitalization effort resulted in $1.6 million in private reinvestment in the downtown. the listing of most of the downtown are on the National Register of Historic Places, and public improvements of $500,000. Another byproduct of the Main Street Program is the Transportation System, two 25-passenger buses that are operated by the city of Eufaula, making it the only small city in the state to operate a public operation.
             Mayor Johnson’s achievements go beyond the city limits of Eufaula. He served as secretary for the Eastern Oklahoma Development District for three years and then as chairman for another three years and served on the Board of Directors for several years.  Mayor Johnson was appointed by the Governor and served for six years on the Oklahoma Police Pension and Retirement Board. He was selected to Who’s Who in the South and Outstanding Young Men of America.
           
            When asked in 1983, Why do you serve?, Johnson replied, “It involves the opportunity to serve in a unique  capacity, to face constantly changing challenges, the new problems and new issues which arise almost daily in municipal government give it a certain quality which other public officials can never experience.”
            Other achievements for Johnson include, being a member of the Oklahoma Conference of Mayors, a member of the Oklahoma Conference of Regional Councils, Past Secretary/Treasurer of the McIntosh County Democratic Central Committee, served on the State Higher Education Alumni of ESC, served on the development council of Connors State College, served on the Domestic Violence and Substance Abuse PAC Board, serving on the Board of Directors for Literacy Council, and served on the OK Travel Industry Association.
            Johnson has two children, Kristi an attorney in Norman. Her husband is the running back coach at OU, Cale Gundy.  Joseph Blake, Johnson’s son is the assistant debate coach at the University of Oklahoma. Blake was also the number one debater in the nation in 2007. Johnson has two grandchildren KC and Caitlin Gundy.

- Morris, Connie, Ed. Eufaula: A Pictorial History 1883-1993. Marceline, MO: Heritage House Publishing, 1993. Print.

            

2011-09-13

Selmon Road dedication in Eufaula Oklahoma

Lucious Selmon holding Selmon Rd street sign on Selmon Brothers day in Eufaula Oklahoma |  Photo by Joe Johnson/ The Indian Journal




Joe Johnson wore many hats and started his political career while attending college at Eastern and at the University of Oklahoma.  He was also editor at The Indian Journal. This was before running and getting elected  Mayor of the City of Eufaula at the age of 24.

Lee Roy & Dewey Selmon Signing Papers For OU

Lee Roy & Dewey Selmon Signing Papers For OU

Selmon Brothers & Parents at Fountainhead Resort Eufaula Oklahoma | Photo taken by Joe Johnson when working at The Indian Journal




Joe Johnson wore many hats and started his political career while attending college at Eastern and at the University of Oklahoma. He was also editor of Indian Journal. This was before running and getting elected  Mayor of the City of Eufaula at the age of 24.

Stidham Oklahoma Birthplace of Eufaula Oklahoma Mayor Joe Johnson.

Stidham Oklahoma Birthplace of Eufaula Oklahoma  Mayor Joe Johnson.
Stidham was once a thriving community in McIntosh county and was even considered for the county seat during statehood back in the early 1900's


Stidham Oklahoma Birthplace of Joe Johnson

About Stidham Oklahoma http://oklahoma.hometownlocator.com/ok/mcintosh/stidham.cfm

The life-long Eufaula area resident grew up in the Stidham area and finished high school at Crowder in 1968. He then went on to Eastern State College at Wilburton, where he studied journalism – something of a family tradition going back to his great-great uncle, Alexander Posey, a noted Creek statesman who once edited the Eufaula Indian Journal. Johnson then furthered his education at the University of Oklahoma studying pre-law.
http://joe-johnson-eufaula-oklahoma.blogspot.com/p/about-joe-johnson-mayor-eufaula.html

Eufaula Mayor Joe Johnson Attends Eufaula Hospital Ribbon Cutting

There were many accomplishments under Johnson’s administration. A 7,500 square foot building to house the Department of Human Services was completed in 1983. Located near the Eufaula Hospital, the new Facility is leased from the City by the State of Oklahoma. A thirty-three bed hospital was completed soon after Eufaula Mayor Joe Johnson took office and was sold after eight years of City ownership at a profit of $1 million.   The proceeds were used to retire the debt for the City’s matching share of the grant for the water plant and to match a CDBG grant, which funded the purchase and renovation of a 7,500 square foot community center. A fire station was purchased in 1983 with sales tax revenue.


Eufaula Mayor Joe Johnson | Eufaula Hospital Ribbon Cutting

See more http://www.hospital-data.com/hospitals/COMMUNITY-HOSPITAL-LAKEVIEW-EUFAULA.html 

Joe Johnson wore many hats and started his political career while attending college at Eastern and at the University of Oklahoma. This was before running and getting elected  Mayor of the City of Eufaula at the age of 24.



Joe Johnson Attends The 1968 Eufaula High School 20th Reunion at Fountainhead Resort Eufaula Oklahoma


Joe Johnson- Editor – Mayor – Judge – Chief Justice – Career Manager


            Joe Johnson has worn many hats during his career. During college he was a student leader and got involved campus politics. He was also the editor of the student news paper while studying journalism. He went on to be the editor of two different weekly’s the Hartshorne Sun and the states oldest the Indian Journal. He ran and won five different terms as Eufaula’s full time Mayor. Johnson served as the Municipal Judge for six years. He was appointed to the Mvskoke Creek nation supreme court by three different chiefs and was selected by the courts other Justices to be the Chief Justice for ten years. Currently he runs a large career consulting firm as Executive Vice President in Texas.
        Years ago, Joe Johnson was covering the city council while working for the Eufaula Indian Journal. He didn’t like some of the things he saw, and being young and brash, he thought he could do a better job.
            He campaigned hard in 1975 for the fulltime city managerial position, and when the final tally was in, 24-year-old Joe Johnson had become the youngest mayor in the state and held the job continuously longer than any mayor in Eufaula’s history.
            He held the position for over 24 years. The consensus from Eufaula’s citizens, his peers in the city management positions and government professionals is that Joe Johnson has been a strong and effective leader… bringing stability, industrial growth and cultural enrichment to this community along the shore of lake Eufaula.


Eufaula Mayor Joe Johnson at the 1968 Eufaula High School 20th Reunion at Fountainhead Lodge & Resort Eufaula Oklahoma


Eufaula Mayor Joe Johnson Receives OML Lifetime Membership Award

Eufaula Mayor Johnson Receives OML Lifetime Membership Award



Joe Johnson wore many hats and started his political career while attending college at Eastern and at the University of Oklahoma. This was before running and getting elected  Mayor of the City of Eufaula at the age of 24.

Making Of Youngest Mayor No Fluke









Making Of Youngest Mayor No Fluke




Joe Johnson wore many hats and started his political career while attending college at Eastern and at the University of Oklahoma. This was before running and getting elected  Mayor of the City of Eufaula at the age of 24.

Mayor Convinced He's Old Enough---- The headline on the front page of The Muskogee Phoenix

Mayor Convinced He's Old Enough---- was the headline on the front page of the Muskogee Phoenix  daily news paper when Joe Johnson was elected Eufaula Oklahoma Mayor at the age of 24  surprising  most political observers that did not think he was old enough to be elected to this full time job running the city.


Mayor Convinced He's Old Enough


Joe Johnson wore many hats and started his political career while attending college at Eastern and at the University of Oklahoma. This was before running and getting elected  Mayor of the City of Eufaula at the age of 24.



Joe Johnson Receives George Nigh Mayor's Award 1991

Eufaula Mayor Joe Johnson Receives George Nigh Mayor's Award 1991

Eufaula Mayor Joe Johnson Receives George Nigh Mayor's Award 1991


Joe Johnson wore many hats and started his political career while attending college at Eastern and at the University of Oklahoma. This was before running and getting elected  Mayor of the City of Eufaula at the age of 24.

Johnson Elected Second Term President OML

Joe Johnson Mayor of Eufaula Oklahoma was elected to a second term as President of the Oklahoma Municipal League. Members of the 75 year old organization that is made up of over 400 cities and towns across the state selected Johnson as the first person in the history of the league to serve back to back terms

Joe Johnson Mayor of Eufaula  Elected Second Term President Oklahoma Municipal League


Joe Johnson wore many hats and started his political career while attending college at Eastern and at the University of Oklahoma. This was before running and getting elected  Mayor of the City of Eufaula at the age of 24.

2011-09-09

Joe Johnson | Eufaula, Oklahoma



Joe Johnson- Editor – Mayor – Judge – Chief Justice – Career Manager

            Joe Johnson has worn many hats during his career. During college he was a student leader and got involved campus politics. He was also the editor of the student news paper while studying journalism. He went on to be the editor of two different weekly’s the Hartshorne Sun and the states oldest the Indian Journal. He ran and won five different terms as Eufaula’s full time Mayor. Johnson served as the Municipal Judge for six years. He was appointed to the Mvskoke Creek nation supreme court by three different chiefs and was selected by the courts other Justices to be the Chief Justice for ten years. Currently he runs a large career consulting firm as Executive Vice President in Texas.
        Years ago, Joe Johnson was covering the city council while working for the Eufaula Indian Journal. He didn’t like some of the things he saw, and being young and brash, he thought he could do a better job.
            He campaigned hard in 1975 for the fulltime city managerial position, and when the final tally was in, 24-year-old Joe Johnson had become the youngest mayor in the state and held the job continuously longer than any mayor in Eufaula’s history.
            He held the position for over 24 years. The consensus from Eufaula’s citizens, his peers in the city management positions and government professionals is that Joe Johnson has been a strong and effective leader… bringing stability, industrial growth and cultural enrichment to this community along the shore of lake Eufaula.
            As some measure o the respect her earned from his peers in city management, Johnson was elected president of the Oklahoma Municipal League – despite the fact that he served less that the normal tenure on the board of directors before being chosen for the post. He was the first President to be elected two continuing terms in the history of the 75-year-old organization.  Johnson was also the only small town mayor to ever receive the George Nigh Mayor of the Year Awards.
            Johnson is not unduly modest, but while proud of his achievements he passes around accolades to citizens, city employees, and city council members. “Our accomplishments are because off the good help we have.”
            The life-long Eufaula area resident grew up in the Stidham area and finished high school at Crowder in 1968. He then went on to Eastern State College at Wilburton, where he studied journalism – something of a family tradition going back to his great-great uncle, Alexander Posey, a noted Creek statesman who once edited the Eufaula Indian Journal. Johnson then furthered his education at the University of Oklahoma studying pre-law.
            There were many accomplishments under Johnson’s administration. A 7,500 square foot building to house the Department of Human Services was completed in 1983. Located near the Eufaula Hospital, the new Facility is leased from the City by the State of Oklahoma. A thirty-three bed hospital was completed soon after Mayor Johnson took office and was sold after eight years of City ownership at a profit of $1 million.   The proceeds were used to retire the debt for the City’s matching share of the grant for the water plant and to match a CDBG grant, which funded the purchase and renovation of a 7,500 square foot community center. A fire station was purchased in 1983 with sales tax revenue.
            A new 6,000 square foot library was completed in 1986 with Mayor Johnson spearheading the effort to obtain $150,000 in state and private grants. The total cost was $500,000. The balance was made up of donations from local citizens. A new 5,000 square foot building for the McIntosh County Health Department was completed in 1987 and allowed the Department to occupy a new building without any capital outlay.
            In 1986, Mayor Johnson also directed the razing of the original City Hall and remodeling of the former community center into offices for the new City Hall and a completely remodeled jail facility. The original community center was built in 1941 by the National Youth Administration.
            In the past ten years over four hundred houses have been renovated. These primarily elderly citizens who cannot do the work required and could not afford to hire contractors to do the repairs.
            Mayor Johnson also oversees a summer recreation program which offers baseball, swimming, swimming lessons, softball, volleyball and tennis. Mayor Johnson developed the program with the help of local merchants. One of Mayor Johnson’s favorite triumphs was the completion of the new lake access road connection No. 9 highway and Lakeshore Drive.
            Mayor Johnson was responsible for developing a 43 acre Certified Industrial Park.  He has also been a driving force behind the Eufaula Main Street Program. This economic revitalization effort resulted in $1.6 million in private reinvestment in the downtown. the listing of most of the downtown are on the National Register of Historic Places, and public improvements of $500,000. Another byproduct of the Main Street Program is the Transportation System, two 25-passenger buses that are operated by the city of Eufaula, making it the only small city in the state to operate a public operation.
             Mayor Johnson’s achievements go beyond the city limits of Eufaula. He served as secretary for the Eastern Oklahoma Development District for three years and then as chairman for another three years and served on the Board of Directors for several years.  Mayor Johnson was appointed by the Governor and served for six years on the Oklahoma Police Pension and Retirement Board. He was selected to Who’s Who in the South and Outstanding Young Men of America.
            In 1989 Mayor Johnson was appointed to the Creek Supreme Court for a six year term and was reconfirmed for another six years in June of 1993. All told he served 16 years. He also served as Chief Justice and was the Executive First Vice President of the National Indian Court Judges Association.
            When asked in 1983, Why do you serve?, Johnson replied, “It involves the opportunity to serve in a unique  capacity, to face constantly changing challenges, the new problems and new issues which arise almost daily in municipal government give it a certain quality which other public officials can never experience.”
            Other achievements for Johnson include, being a member of the Oklahoma Conference of Mayors, a member of the Oklahoma Conference of Regional Councils, Past Secretary/Treasurer of the McIntosh County Democratic Central Committee, served on the State Higher Education Alumni of ESC, served on the development council of Connors State College, served on the Domestic Violence and Substance Abuse PAC Board, serving on the Board of Directors for Literacy Council, and served on the OK Travel Industry Association.
            Johnson has two children, Kristi an attorney in Norman. Her husband is the running back coach at OU, Cale Gundy.  Joseph Blake, Johnson’s son is the assistant debate coach at the University of Oklahoma. Blake was also the number one debater in the nation in 2007. Johnson has two grandchildren KC and Caitlin Gundy.

- Morris, Connie, Ed. Eufaula: A Pictorial History 1883-1993. Marceline, MO: Heritage House Publishing, 1993. Print.

            


            

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