Walter Mingledorff

Background

He was born in the Savannah area and made a career in the shipyard industry.

Career

He was a Democrat and belonged to the local Citizen"s Committee faction of the party. City Politics

Mingledorff ran for Mayor of Savannah and defeated Conservative Democratic candidate Charles Musante in 1954. He took office in early 1955 and became the first Savannah mayor to serve under the council-manager form of municipal government.

The number of aldermen was reduced from twelve to six under the new city charter.

He was re-elected for a two-year term in 1956 and for a four-year term in 1958. Eliminating the city"s deficit

Establishing a municipal civil service

Implementing an urban renewal program

Improving the road system, with the construction of expressways

County Politics

Mingledorff JR. resigned in 1960 to become a candidate on the Chatham County Commission.

He was succeeded as Mayor by Malcolm Maclean.

Achievements

• The Mingledorff administration is credited with a number of accomplishments, including: Even though his slate of candidates won the election, he failed to win a seat.