Forsyth's Future Mayor Prepares for Office | News

A little more than two weeks after election day, Forsyth's future mayor gears up for his first term.

John Howard is no stranger to stepping into a new role.

"I didn't wake up one day saying I was going to be mayor of this, of this city," says Howard.

But now, the 41-year-old takes on the title of Forsyth's first elected African-American mayor.

"A friend of mine shook my hand and said he's proud of me. And I burst out in tears after that," he says.

He's called the city home since he was a child, raised in the same Brookwood Drive home he now shares with his wife and 14-year-old son.

"I think I can say it's been a great year," Howard says smiling.

The former Forsyth police officer joined the military after high school graduation.

Five years ago, he left the department for an information technology job but said working for the city gives him the experience he needs as mayor.

"We have a lot of people here that need to work, that want to work. And I'm just going to spend a lot of my time just trying to reach out to those companies that are looking for somewhere to go," he says.

Along with new business, Howard hopes to strengthen the public safety department he says he knows all about.

"Just being able to know exactly what is they need and being able to understand when they talk to me about their problems and issues and everything," Howard says.

Come January third, the mayor-elect will be sworn in and  move into a new office he'll call home for at least the next four years.

On november eighth, Howard beat incumbent Tye Howard, who's no relation.