QC
100 YEARS
PHOTO COURTESY OF SYDNEY FRASER
FLC President Phillip E. Walker at the League’s Legislative Action Days.
UNITY
Walker Guides FLC Centennial 100th year has shown ‘we’re stronger together’
by Kelli Gemmer Florida League of Cities
22 QUALITY CITIES | THIRD QUARTER 2022
A
s the Florida League of Cities (FLC) enters the final phase of its centennial celebration, FLC President Phillip E. Walker is reflecting on a characteristic that has firmly tied the League and its cities together throughout 100 years: unity. “One thing that has led us throughout our history is our unified voice,” Walker said. In an era of political divisiveness, it’s refreshing to see, he said. That unity is particularly important due to the changes Florida has experienced over the years and continues to see. For one, many out-of-state residents have relocated to Florida during the pandemic, adding to the state’s tremendous population growth. “Since the League was established, Florida’s population has grown from fewer than 1 million residents to more than 21.5 million,” said Walker. Whether cities are looking for help with federal funding for pandemic recovery,
