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To the editor:

Winners ought to be lauded. Commendable is the one that has stretched beyond the boundaries of self-limitations. Victory is the reward to those that are able to surpass the tests of strength and prowess in order to defeat the obstacles and win the prize — a trophy. They’ve won. And for all of 15 minutes, the glitter and glamour of the triumph gleams on the face of the winner as bright as the shine on the trophy. My question is, now what?

It seems ironic to seek the victory only to comfortably sit back and hold the title of winner. Is there any good that can be done with the platform of winner? What positive influence can be had on the masses from the exploits of a winner? Better yet, what plans for the spread of good and for the initiating of change had the contestant before contending for the win? Or is the trophy the only prize they seek?

This November, our great city of Suffolk will participate in the election along with the rest of our great country. I would think that, here in Suffolk, even the average Joe or Joan could appreciate an old fashioned “Clash of the Titans” type of election. But alas, there is but one real contender for the seat of mayor in our city — Mayor Linda Johnson. And in my humble opinion, Suffolk should adhere to the old adage, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!”

Broken English aside, the old adage rings true in the case of our mayoral election. Current mayor, Linda Johnson, is Suffolk’s first female mayor. She became Suffolk’s first directly elected  mayor in 2009 and was re-elected in 2012 and in 2016. She has done outstanding work in our city. Mayor Johnson continues to display the sentiments of the citizens of Suffolk, and she sets forth the conviction that the seat of the mayor in this city is not a winners’ trophy. It is, however, a seat of positive influence, good exploits, a seat of planning and for the initiating of change.

I urge voters across the city to vote Linda Johnson for mayor of Suffolk this November.

Delano Calvin

Suffolk