Gainor

CAIRO — A familiar face is returning to the mayor’s seat as Booker Gainor defeated Incumbent Howard Thrower III in the mayoral election with a 719 to 659 margin. 

“It just clearly shows God is in control,” Gainor said.

In 2020, Gainor’s quest to run for state legislature cut his first term as mayor short when a “resign to run” Georgia Constitution clause was overlooked by City Attorney Thomas Lehman.  

After being disqualified as mayor of Cairo, Gainor continued his pursuit for state legislator but ultimately lost.

He, however, said he doesn’t regret the experience as he noted it will help him during his second term. 

“I felt like that experience just helped me raise the flag for the City of Cairo even higher,” he said. “I was endorsed by national candidates who are now currently in the White House, and I feel as though these connections will really pay dividends for the citizens of Cairo.”

With a second chance granted by the people of Cairo, Gainor said he’s looking forward to targeting two issues during his term with one of them being utility reform.

“I want to pick up exactly where I left off with utility reform. That was my number one issue going into my first term,” he said

During his first term, Gainor recalled changing outdated ordinances that were a discrepancy between the policies set in place. This time around, he hopes to keep improving city technology for utility customers.

“Now, just looking for us to have more user-friendly technology to where our citizens can pay utility bills a little bit more conveniently but also just letting them be able to receive information from the city,” he said.

Gainor also plans to work with the county and City of Whigham to form a land bank that will help combat blighted and delinquent properties.

“We can get them back on the tax roll to creating revenue for our community,” he said.

The work Thrower did with downtown Cairo will not be lost. Gainor mentioned that’s something he will carry on during his transition. 

“As far as what Mr. Thrower has started with the downtown, I’m not looking to undo anything that has the chance at working,” he said. “I just want to have a smooth transition. My perspective is different going into this time.”

Another thing that Gainor is hoping will improve is his relationship with city council. 

Making history by becoming the first African American mayor in Cairo was something Gainor described as tough because of how city council treated him, he said. 

“I felt like no matter what I did to work with them, they did nothing to work with me,” he said. “I’m hoping that through this second election they realize that Booker Gainor simply just wants to move this community forward. My focus is strictly on the people and just making sure I have their respect and their trust. That’s bigger to me than anything the council could do to me.”

Along with his role as mayor, this year is Gainor’s third year as a math teacher at Washington Middle school. He also is pursuing his master’s degree at Albany State University in educational leadership.

He’s expected to graduate in summer 2022 and said he hopes his actions will influence others to persevere in anything they speak into existence. 

“I remember being a cable guy and saying that I’d be the mayor the next year and it happened,” he said, referring to his first time in office. “I just want to be a model example of what we can be and what we can become despite the odds.”

For Gainor, his re-election means putting in more work and time to the City of Cairo that will help it equate to other cities. 

“I’m sick and tired of seeing development and progress taking off in neighboring communities and not seeing anything of the sort happening in my beloved hometown,” he said. “It’s time to move the ball down the field.”