With
sales growth of over 1000-percent in the last 10 years, AFI
has become one of the largest flooring contractors in
northwest Ohio and one of the leaders in interior
installation in the area. AFI garnered national attention in
2014 when it was named the fastest growing company in the
country by ICIC and Fortune Magazine.
Johnson started his law enforcement career in 1988 when he
worked and trained with the Lucas County Sheriff’s Reserve.
This included riding in the car with employed deputies and
going on routine calls on various shifts for the first 10
years. He completed the Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy
(OPOTA) and is qualified by the State of Ohio and the
courts.
“Each year reservists are required to take the same training
as the deputies in order to remain certified. Today I hold
the rank of Lieutenant and still serve as a certified peace
officer in the Lucas County Sheriff’s Reserve,” he said.
Johnson says in addition to his law enforcement experience,
he has 30 years of business, administrative, and sales
experience.
“Approximately 95-percent of a sheriff’s work is
administrative in nature. If elected, my business and
administrative experience will allow me to bring fresh ideas
to the sheriff’s office, he said.
Johnson says he’s running for sheriff to make a difference
in the community, push to make sure career criminals are
incarcerated, but also push for reforms on those who need
treatment instead of jail time.
“I want to be sheriff because I see an opportunity to make a
difference in my community that will help those individuals
who become victims of the system they cannot defend against.
Growing up poor I understand how easy it is for some people
to make a mistake and find it hard to turn their life
around. I also know there are hardened criminals that
threaten society and must be incarcerated. My life's
experience has taught me the difference between the two. I
would have the opportunity to start programs and continue
programs that can give those who truly want and need a
second chance. I would enforce Ohio’s laws while at the
same time advocate for reform. My business experience would
help me find ways to cut costs and save taxpayer dollars
without having to cut services in the sheriff's office. My
political experience would help me develop relationships
with other politicians who interact with the sheriff's
office and can help to engage in criminal justice reform. My
law enforcement experience would help me to understand the
emergency procedures, and to make better decisions based on
my training. With over 30 years’ experience with the
Sheriff's office I will have the ability to hit the ground
running. I feel I am uniquely qualified to run the sheriff's
office because of my combined skill sets, and compassion.”
Johnson made his first run for elected office in 2017 and
was elected as an At-Large member of Toledo City Council.
That campaign put Mr. Johnson on the citywide ballot.
He’s the only candidate running for sheriff who has been on
Toledo’s citywide ballot. In 2017 Johnson finished sixth in
the primary but jumped to a fourth-place finish and the
second highest vote-getter among the Democratic candidates
in the general election.
Johnson has over 35 years of community service involvement.
He has served in various capacities with the Rotary Club of
Toledo, Northwest Ohio Hispanic Chamber, Latins United,
Catholic Order of Foresters, NAACP, African-American
Chamber, Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce, as well as
several boards at The University of Toledo, and The Toledo
Zoo Foundation Board.
His campaign for Lucas County Sheriff has the endorsement of
UAW Local 3056, UA Local 50, Painters & Allied Trades
District Council No. 6, and IBEW Local 8. He has received
letters of support from Warren AME Church, St. Paul
Missionary Baptist Church and Mount Ararat Missionary
Baptist Church.
His campaign is receiving positive feedback on social media.
A campaign Facebook page --- Gary Johnson for Sheriff ---
started after Thanksgiving already has over 400 Likes and
Followers. His web site is VoteGaryJohnsonForSheriff.com.
“My campaign committee led by John Irish has built a
foundation for a very effective campaign for the Democratic
Primary on March 17, 2020. I look forward to meeting the
voters over the next three months to further explain my
qualifications, experience, and to ask for their vote,”
Johnson said. |