Officials Recognized for Milestones

Mayor John Land Years of Service recipients announced

By Eryn Russell, Florida League of Cities

The Florida League of Cities is recognizing elected city officials across the state who have reached a milestone number of years serving their communities.

The Mayor John Land Years of Service Award Named is named in honor of longtime Apopka Mayor John Land, who served his city for over 60 years. The award honors municipal officials for their years of dedicated public service on a city council or commission. The award recognizes

members of a city, town or village’s governing body who have reached a milestone of 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45 or 50 years of elected service.

This annual award has been hosted by the League since 2004 and has recognized over 400 municipal officials across the state.

Mayor Cecil E. “Gene” Melvin from the Town of Brooker is celebrating 45 years of service to the Town this year. “It’s been an honor to serve the Brooker community,” Melvin said. “We’re getting water to customers, picking up garbage, repaving streets, and our community school is reopening this August.”

Elected officials recognized through this program receive a resolution and lapel pin marking their years of service. See pages 8-9 for this year’s honorees.

Eryn Russell is a Membership Programs Specialist at the Florida League of Cities.

30 YEARS

Mayor Keith W. Babb Jr., City of Pahokee

Commissioner Chris J. Bell, City of Fruitland Park

Commissioner John L. Gunter Jr., City of Fruitland Park

Councilmember Jim H. Nolan Sr., City of Indian Harbour Beach

Commissioner Michael S. Sparkman, City of Plant City

Commissioner Brian T. Williams, City of Palmetto

25 YEARS

Mayor Gary A. Blair, City of Orange City

Councilman Rick Butler, City of Pinellas Park

Mayor Keith A. Dowdell, City of Quincy

Vice Mayor Bob Elliott, City of Fort Meade

Councilmember Jacquie Hepfer, City of Inverness

Councilmember Peter A. Noble, City of Greenacres

Vice Mayor Mike Satterfield, Town of Oakland

20 YEARS

Commissioner Winston F. Barnes, City of Miramar

Commissioner Richard L. Bennett, Town of North Redington Beach

Mayor Pro Tem Nathaniel J. Birdsong Jr., City of Winter Haven

Councilman Richard L. Block, Village of Virginia Gardens

Mayor Michael C. Brown, Town of Hypoluxo

Mayor Gib Coerper, City of Alachua

Councilwoman Debra A. Conover, Village of Virginia Gardens

Councilmember Aaron Edmondson, Town of Bronson

Mayor Joe Kyles Sr., City of South Bay

Commissioner Bobby Lynch, City of Davenport

Deputy Mayor David A. Panicola, City of Indian Harbour Beach

Mayor Judith “Judy” Paul, Town of Davie

Mayor James L. Pittman, City of Clewiston

Commissioner Brian D. Sackett, City of Longwood

Councilwoman Janet Shaw, Town of Callahan

Councilor William F. Smith, Town of Indian Shores

Councilwoman Elizabeth Taylor-Martinez, Village of Virginia Gardens

Alderman Ingrid Van Hekken, Town of St. Lucie Village

Commissioner John Wilson, City of South Bay

Mayor Gib Coerper was recognized for his 20 years of service to the City of Alachua. From left, Commissioner Jennifer Blalock, Commissioner Shirley Green Brown, Florida League of Cities Membership Programs Specialist Eryn Russell, Coerper, Vice Mayor Dayna Miller and Commissioner Ed Potts.

Councilman Rick Butler was recognized for 25 years of service to the City of Pinellas Park.

Former Commissioner John Wilson (left) and Mayor Joe Kyles Sr. were recognized for their 20 years of service to the City of South Bay.

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Mayor Cecil E. “Gene” Melvin was recognized for 45 years of service to the Town of Booker.