Board Celebrates Collier Centennial with Proclamations

In comments leading up to a morning of celebratory centennial proclamations, Collier County Board of Commissioners Chair Rick LoCastro said, “As you look across this room, this is really a who’s who of Collier County.”

“You got so many honorable and respected people in the audience here,” LoCastro continued, “So I'm going to read a proclamation as the chair and on behalf of everybody up here. But I would say, even more importantly, it's also on behalf of those commissioners and those senior leaders that have served.”

LoCastro was referring to a large group of people that included former County Commissioners and County Managers who were being honored for their service. Former County Commissioners Fred Coyle, Donna Fiala, Patricia Goodnight, Tom Henning, Andy Solis and Penny Taylor, and former county managers Leo Ochs and Neil Dorrill were in attendance. Missing was former commissioner Georgia Hiller. The proclamation recognizing the County Commissioners and Managers who have served Collier County noted that commissioners held their first meeting on July 7th, 1923, at the Rod and Gun Club in “the town of Everglades,” adding historical context to the celebration.

The board also gave a centennial recognition to the county constitutional officers, Sheriff, Supervisor of Elections, Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller, Property Appraiser and Tax Collector, and members of the historical societies. Another proclamation went to the Collier County Business and Tourism community. Paul Beirnes, Executive Director of the Naples, Marco Island, Everglades Convention Bureau, noted that May 7th through May 13th is National Tourism and Travel Week, so the recognition couldn’t have been timelier. The proclamation said the county “welcomed 1.63 million visitors, generating over $2.8 billion of economic impact for Collier County in 2022, creating economic prosperity and enhanced quality of life for the residents and guests of Collier County.”

John Mullens, Director of Communications, Government and Public Affairs was there to talk about the centennial county seal. “I have the pleasure of leading a very talented and creative staff,” Mullens said, “and one of those staff members is right behind me, Santiago Arenas, who actually designed this centennial emblem that you have before you today, which was affixed to city hall in Everglades City yesterday and will be affixed to building F today.” The emblem Mullens refers to was unveiled during the ceremony.

Everyone in attendance received a certificate and centennial emblem lapel pin commemorating the event. To learn more about Collier County’s Centennial, go to www.colliercount100.com.