To the editor:

Linda Johnson has shown us how capable she is to lead our great and growing city.

She has all of the qualifications needed and knows our city well, because she grew up here. She graduated from Suffolk Public Schools, and after college, she came back and taught in Suffolk Public Schools.

Linda has served the city as mayor for the past six years and was directly elected by the citizens four years ago. I am so proud that she is the first directly elected mayor and the first female mayor of our city. She is a great role model for our young people.

During Linda’s time as mayor, Suffolk has seen a lot of success and improvements. While other cities around us are struggling, our finances are strong, businesses continue to come to Suffolk, existing businesses are expanding, and our crime rates have fallen. We now have the best health care facilities right here, more retail opportunities every day — like T.J. Maxx, PetSmart and Dick’s — and more eateries to choose from. Downtown is seeing more specialty shops, and the new municipal building will surely help the revitalization.

Suffolk has become a destination in Hampton Roads.

Mayor Johnson has built relationships with local, state, federal and military leaders. This was evident during the loss of JFCOM. Now Suffolk will become the home of the Cyber Command, and we will have more jobs than we lost.

Mayor Johnson has shown her leadership skills during hard times such as the tornado and the loss of JFCOM. She is a strong leader willing to make tough decisions. She will keep our city strong.

She has my vote.

Betty Mazie

Suffolk