The Races are heating up already!

This is a very cool article on two of the nicest people we know! the picture was shot at our event for Mayor in our living room! what a fun night!

July 16 – The Woman behind the Man: Meet Murray Silver’s campaign manager Maria Burns

Last Updated on Thursday, 16 July 2015 14:08 Production Dept 16 July 2015 Published on 16 July 2015 Hits: 48

Category: Sav 2015 MUNICIPAL Elections

By Lou Phelps, Savannah Business Journal
July 16, 2015 – For the City of Savannah, this year’s election is shaping up to be a true discussion of the issues as a  number of qualified and ‘high profile’ people are getting in the race, or at least taking a hard look. 
For example, Brian Foster, former chairman of the board of First Chatham Bank, has confirmed that he is looking hard at running for the open Alderman-at-Large Post 2 race, as is Democratic activist Joe Steffen. 
Julian Miller, former publisher of the Savannah Morning News, and currently the public information spokesman for the Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Police Dept. is leaving that post as of July 31 – not official yet, but the worst kept secret in town. Political insiders confirm that he is being encouraged to either challenge Mary Ellen Sprague in District 4, where he lives, or look at one of the At Large posts, though he has made no announcements. 
Bill Durrence, former photographer at the Savannah Morning News, is running for District 2, along with Atty. Barry Gale, challenging Mary Osborne, and entering a race that already has Detric Leggett running who has worked for months already.  Durrence formerly kicks off his campaign Friday. These are just a few of the candidates announcing so far.
But none of these races are more challenging than what Murray Silver faces, the native Savannahian who has stepped up to challenge incumbent Mayor Edna Jackson.  Behind Murray is a determined woman serving as his campaign manager, Maria Burns, a political unknown but a local businesswoman who wants to see change.  As in most campaigns, it’s the team behind the candidate that can make a great difference.
Ms, Burns is a Savannah native, as well, who says she first met Murray about seven ears ago through non-profit work, and signed on to run his campaign because..  “I care. About Murray, but more than that, I care about Savannah and am disgusted, appalled and dismayed at the current state of affairs.”
She’s the immediate past president of the Bull River Bluff Condominium Association and has served on the board of St. Paul's Greek Orthodox Church. She’s also served the community by working on the ‘Bullying Prevention’ and ‘Good Touch Bad Touch’ programs for the Rape Crisis Center, and has spoken at conferences about the life long devastating effects of childhood sexual abuse.
She has also been involved in a number of entrepreneurial business endeavors, most notably as the original owner/developer (along with my ex-husband) of the Azalea Inn. She currently works in the retail field in Savannah, as the manager and buyer of Fabulous Finds Under $20 on River Street.  And, she's Murray's friend.
“I started following Murray's campaign around April and wanted to help (since I can't vote for him), and held a meet and greet at my condo on Wilmington Island.  That was when I discovered that he had no campaign manager. So I volunteered.”
“I did it because I love my city, Murray is my friend, and because someone has to try to change things. I refuse to be one of the people who complain and do nothing. I'm not a politician and of course, neither is Murray. A number of people have found this refreshing, while it has given others cause for mirth,” she adds. “I did it because I support Murray's vision of what this city could be under proper management.”
She’s helped Murray enunciate his platform, as well, which includes:

• Public safety through the establishment of a Police Commission to remove control of SCMPD from the City Manager.
• Economic growth through the reduction of homelessness and encouragement of living wage jobs in the Savannah area.
• A complete audit of city departments and operating costs to insure transparency and restore public trust.
• Replacement of current City Manager through a public, nationwide, transparent search for the best possible qualified candidate.
• Exploration of the efficacy of either a combined city-county government or a strong mayor-council form of government.

And, like all campaign managers, she’s working to bring Murray exposure and expanding his contacts with voters.
They’re making progress, including raising money and getting up the signs.
And, she’s part of a new generation of political activists in Savannah that the November municipal elections – and the challenges of the past two years -  is spawning.