ANNA MARIA – Newly-elected Mayor Mark Short presided over an emotional farewell ceremony for longtime Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy.
Due to a health issue, Murphy did not attend the ceremony that occurred during the city’s commission’s Nov. 19 swearing-in ceremony and organizational meeting.
Murphy’s wife, Barb, read a statement from her husband that said, “I want to thank the residents of our beautiful city for giving me the privilege of serving as your mayor for 10 challenging years. I also give special thanks to my staff, the commission, the county and our state for your help through ‘thick and thin,’ six hurricanes and a pandemic. It has all been a rewarding experience. Thank you.”
When he began the ceremony, Short said, “I’d like to start by thanking Dan for his 10 years of dedicated service. He always was there and it was always about what’s in the best interest of the city. And Barbara, I want to thank you for allowing him to do that.”
He also said, “It’s not often that someone who’s over 60 years old can say that he found a new mentor and a new advisor and I just want to thank Dan for everything he did for me and everything he did for this city.”
Sen. Jim Boyd’s legislative aide, Amanda Romant, read a letter from the state senator that praised Murphy for being a leader and a steward of one of the most beautiful destinations in Florida. His letter said that Murphy understood the importance of community, responsible management of resources and the protection of natural surroundings and he valued the partnerships between local and state government that provide an enhanced quality of life for residents and memorable vacation experiences for visitors.
“You also safeguarded the Island and its residents during this extraordinary storm season. Your leadership and focus have been critical to the timely recovery of Anna Maria. I applaud your commitment to the residents and business owners who contribute to this unique and beautiful beach community,” Boyd stated in his letter.
Anna Maria General Manager Dean Jones presented Barb with a plaque expressing the city’s gratitude.
He then said, “Dan Murphy came to the city of Anna Maria with a vision. He wanted to make the city better for its citizens and those that would visit in the future. First came the projects. City Pier Park was his first goal. Taking a park with very little use and making it a place where people could gather, children could play and events could be held to bring this small community together.”
Jones said Murphy initiated several road and drainage projects that made Anna Maria a safer place to live and that he was also a great steward of the city’s finances.
He said Murphy always had a plan, he taught city staff how to be better at their jobs, he knew the strengths and weaknesses of his team and he served as a mentor to many.
“Mayor Murphy could be demanding. He could challenge you and test your limits of being able to complete what seemed like a monumental task. His attention to detail always amazed the staff, along with his endless knowledge. He’s been one of the most influential forces the city’s ever seen. As the page turns, you can rest assured that the city will be in good hands,” Jones said.
Short presented Barb a framed letter from Gov. Ron DeSantis that said, “Dear Mayor Murphy, it is with sincere gratitude that I send my best wishes to you as you depart from your position as the mayor of the city of Anna Maria. The first lady and I appreciate your years of commitment, dedication and public service to the residents and visitors of Anna Maria. You should be very proud of your accomplishments during your tenure, especially the rebuilding of the City Pier and hosting the annual ‘Old Soldiers & Sailors’ Veterans Day parade.”
Semi-retired city employee Debby Haynes presented Barb with a bouquet of roses and thanked her for being the city’s first lady and for always standing by her husband.
Short presented Barb with a painting of the City Pier that hung inside city hall for many years.
“The mayor always loved this and we have requisitioned it to the Murphy household,” he said.
He then read aloud a city proclamation that notes Murphy was raised in St. Petersburg, served in the U.S. Army, was awarded the Vietnam Service Medal with two bronze stars and the Vietnam Campaign Medal and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science and pre-law from the University of South Florida. The proclamation notes that Dan and Barb have been married for 57 years and have four adult children, seven grandchildren and a great-granddaughter.
The proclamation notes Murphy was a longtime Verizon executive whose career took him to various locations in the U.S. and the Caribbean, but he commuted for work rather than uprooting his family from Anna Maria Island.
“Dan provided steady and unwavering leadership while guiding the city through multiple hurricanes and tropical storms, the construction of the new Anna Maria City Pier, the COVID-19 pandemic and the unprecedented reduction of the city’s property tax millage rate. Dan guided the city commission’s adoption of the city’s short-term vacation rental regulations in 2015 and since then he has the led the city’s successful annual opposition to the state legislature’s attempts to further preempt local vacation rental regulation to the state,” the proclamation says.
“One of Mayor Dan Murphy’s proudest accomplishments is transforming the vacant and under-utilized ‘six lots’ property into City Pier Park, where the city has hosted the seasonal farmer’s market, free movies in the park and two of Dan’s favorite and most meaningful events: the annual ‘Old Soldiers & Sailors’ Parade and Veterans Day recognition ceremony and the annual Memorial Day recognition ceremony honoring those who gave their lives in service to their country.”
The proclamation praises Murphy’s dedication, creative mind, visionary thinking, likeability and integrity and says, “We hope he never underestimates the difference he has made for the city of Anna Maria and the lives that he has touched and made better. Therefore, be it proclaimed by the Anna Maria commission and mayor that Dec. 20, 2024, shall be known as Mayor Dan Murphy Day.”
Murphy will celebrate his 80th birthday on that date.
Speaking last, Sen. Rick Scott’s District Director Luis Laracuente said, “We just wanted to thank the mayor for everything he’s done for the city of Anna Maria, in his role as a veteran and also his friendship and kindness with the senator. We truly appreciate everything he’s done and his leadership through the hurricanes, which does not go unnoticed. He will be receiving a flag that will be flown on top of the capitol on his birthday; and along with it will be a letter from the senator and a certificate from the capitol. We send our congratulations and our appreciation.”
The Nov. 19 appreciation ceremony video is archived at the Anna Maria Island Sun Facebook page.
