Monticello’s First African-American Mayor Has Positive Outlook
Bryan Standifer was sworn in as Mayor of Monticello on Tuesday, Jan. 3, becoming the first African-American mayor for the city.
He has served on City Council for 11 years; his first term beginning in 2000, and knew that his experience would help him through this term. He decided that he could use his experience to unite the current council, bringing them together as a group of adults. He is encourages unity and integrity among the individuals and to those which interact with the Council.
As the first African American Mayor of Monticello, Mr. Standifer said he is honored to hold his position and, “I thank those who came before me to pave the way for me to be in the position that I’m in today.”
When interviewed and asked about Black History Month, he said that “it’s not a month celebration, that it is a celebration each day of your heritage. Each day of your life.”
He grew up in Wichita Falls, Texas and is the son of Lois and Charles Standifer. His father was in the Air Force and stationed in Texas until he relocated to Monticello after his retirement. Mayor Standifer credits his parents with his desire to be in local politics.
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He said that he was first interested when his father was working on the redistricting lines with the NAACP in Monticello years ago. He said that his interests extend from growing up “here.” He knows there are wonderful people in Monticello and wanted to serve in some capacity. He said that he “really enjoys it.”
I mentioned that he said that he was only going to run because Mayor Newsome was not. Mayor Standifer chuckled and noted that those before him were great influences. He took time to watch and learn from them, and appreciates their support. He credits working under some great local leaders including former Mayors Glenn Newsome and Susan Holmes, along with council persons Stone Workman, Otis Clark, Scott Sauls, Jacqueline Bell Smith, Russell Gross, Katherine Alexander, Mollie Pompey, and Bobby Jacobs.
Mayor Standifer is striving to rebuild our economic foot print. He sees as a real positive the way that everyone has started to come together as a community for economic development. He is encouraging the city and the county to explore economic opportunities for the community.
“I want to build upon our sense of community.” He discussed that the core of the community is close knit, he wants the negativity and the outer edges to close in and be a part of something great—something that the residents of Monticello can build on and gain for the betterment of everyone. His main goal is for communication improvement between local affiliates. He hopes to reset the economic vision for the city.
Mayor Standifer said that he is excited about the new council—“it’s a good council.” He said that he is excited that so far there has been little division, and that everyone was coming together. He said that “working with a new council, I’m excited about new and great ideas along with the challenges that will also arise.”
He hopes for civility and a positive treatment of one another. He feels that they’re off to a great start and that the relationships that need to be focused on are those between the entities of the Council, Board of Education, the County Commission, and most importantly the residents of Monticello. He believes that by these relationships improving, the business and sense of community will improve.
Mayor Standifer encourages each and every individual to be more involved. He said that everybody should become active in their community. “Get elected, volunteer; attend functions, anything that supports the community.”
When asked about being a role model for the younger generation, he said that he accredits his success by having character, integrity and values. He uses each of those to promote positivity through his actions. He said that his dad once said, “integrity is something that you have when people aren’t watching,” and he lives by that to the best of his ability throughout everyday actions.
Mayor Standifer is a graduate of Jasper County High School and Georgia College. He is currently employed at BioLab in Conyers where he has been in management for 23 years. He is married to the love of his life, and his biggest supporter, Jeanette Maxine Standifer. The couple have three children, a daughter, Quintara, and twin sons, Quinton and Quincy.
