John Rousakis
John P. Rousakis (January 14, 1929 – December 10, 2000) was a politician from Georgia, United States and was the first Greek-American to become Mayor of Savannah. He was a Democrat.
Background
He was born in Savannah, Georgia on January 14, 1929 and was a member of St. Paul's Greek Orthodox Church. Prior to entering politics, he made career as a basketball player and as an insurance agent.
Electoral history
Rousakis was elected to the Chatham County Commission in 1965 and eventually became Vice-Chairperson of that institution.
He ran for Mayor of Savannah in 1970. He won the Democratic nomination and defeated one-term incumbent and Republican nominee Julius Curtis Lewis, Jr. with 55% of the vote.[1]
He won re-election in 1974, 1978, 1982 and 1986.
His fifth term was extended by a year by the Georgia General Assembly, but Rousakis was defeated by Republican contestant Susan Weiner in 1991 with 46% of the vote.[2]
He attempted a political comeback in 1995, but finished third with only 23% of the vote.[3]
His Achievements
Under Rousakis' mayorship, River Street was revitalized, the police department and public work activities were modernized and the unpolluting of the Savannah River was undertaken. However, the situation of public housing worsened and the local crime and murder rates increased.
In 1976, he played the role of a hotel clerk in a scene in the movie "Gator."
Death
Rousakis died on December 10, 2000.[4]