COVER FEATURE
PHOTO COURTESY OF BONNIE GAUPP
QC
MILESTONE
Centennial Celebration Florida League of Cities commemorates 100 years
I by Sheryl S. Jackson Florida League of Cities
30 QUALITY CITIES | FIRST QUARTER 2022
n late 1921, Florida’s population was less than a million people. The Overseas Highway to Key West had not been built. Amelia Earhart had not yet taken off from Miami on her round-the-world flight. And Florida cities still didn’t have a unified voice before the Legislature. That same year, a pleasure cruise was held in Tampa Bay. On board were representatives of cities whom Tampa Mayor A.W.D Hall had invited. Hall had an idea: Form an organization of Florida cities that could have a stronger position on issues that impact local governments. He planted a seed and, by the next year, The Florida League of Municipalities was organized. Hall served as the first President of the group, now known as the Florida League of Cities (FLC). Those organizers couldn’t possibly have known the impact that their decision would have on the cities and the people of Florida. Today, Florida cities enjoy Home Rule, access to insurance and financial trusts and an organized way to tell their story to state legislators. The FLC celebrates its 100th anniversary this year with eight months of events. These events recognize the vision of our founders, the commitment of its members and the achievements made possible with cities coming together to speak with one voice about issues that affect residents. As the number of municipalities has grown from 316 in the 1920s to 411 today, the
