by SC Reporter Emilie Alfino
A City Council meeting that ended up lasting 11-1/2 hours started with 12 presentations, including these honoring employees and proclaiming special days:
• Employee of the Second Quarter is Detective Michelle Rose. She was hired in 2017 as a police officer in the Sanibel Police Department after having honorably served in the U.S. Army National Guard. In 2025, following a competitive internal selection process, Officer Rose was assigned as Detective. During her tenure with the Police Department, Officer Rose has received numerous commendations and earned her bachelor of science degree in criminal justice while participating in the City’s Employee Educational Tuition Assistance Program. Rose was chosen for this honor by her peers.
• Council issued a proclamation recognizing Sanibel Police Corporal James Serrago as Law Enforcement Officer of the Year for his service and heroism in the line of duty by saving the life of a choking infant on December 26, 2024. This award was created by the Lee County Bar Association to honor local law enforcement officers, teachers, and citizens who provide exemplary service to Lee County residents.
• May 6, 2025 was proclaimed Sergeant Anthony Neri Day on Sanibel. Sergeant Neri was hired as a Police Aid in 2012, was promoted to Police Officer in 2015 and was promoted posthumously to Sergeant in 2019. He passed away during a training exercise while on duty on May 6, 2019. Sergeant Neri was a beloved husband, father, and public servant, having served 30 years as a Revenue Officer for the United States Treasury followed by nearly seven years as a Police Officer on Sanibel. He dedicated his life to protecting those he served and maintaining peace within the Sanibel community. He is being remembered for his bravery, selfless dedication, and loyalty to his family, friends, fellow officers, and the Sanibel community. City Council members took a break from their meeting to attend a memorial service for Sergeant Neri on the grounds of City Hall.
• City Council designated the week May 18-24, 2025 as National Public Works Week. Public Works professionals focus on infrastructure, facilities and services that are of vital importance to sustainable and resilient communities and to the public health, high quality of life and wellbeing of the people of the City of Sanibel. These infrastructure, facilities and services could not be provided without the dedicated efforts of public works professionals, who are engineers, managers, and employees at all levels of government and the private sector, who are responsible for rebuilding, improving, and protecting our nation’s transportation, water supply, water treatment and solid waste systems, public buildings, and other structures and facilities essential for our citizens. Sanibel Public Works is led by Director Fred Mittl and has a staff of 40.
• Council recognized the week of May 4 through May 10, 2025, as Professional Municipal Clerks Week, and further extended appreciation to Professional Municipal Clerks Scotty Lynn Kelly, Master Municipal Clerk; and Anna Hicks, Certified Municipal Clerk, and to all professional municipal clerks for the vital services they perform and their exemplary dedication to the communities they represent. The Office of the Professional Municipal Clerk, a time honored and vital part of local government, exists throughout the world. The Office of the Professional Municipal Clerk is the oldest among public servants and provides the professional link between the citizens, the local governing bodies and agencies of government at other levels. Professional Municipal Clerks have pledged to be ever mindful of their neutrality and impartiality, rendering equal service to all and served as the information center on functions of local government and community.
• City Council proclaimed May 2025 as National Cities, Towns, and Villages Month in celebration of America’s local governments and the National League of Cities’ historic centennial anniversary. The nonpartisan National League of Cities is the oldest and largest organization representing municipal governments throughout the United States, representing the interests of more than 19,000 cities, towns, and villages across the country. The National League of Cities has successfully championed federal legislative solutions that support municipalities and has worked closely with Congress and the Executive Branch to educate policymakers on the realities of local implementation. The City of Sanibel, with 159 dedicated public servants, is a proud member of the National League of Cities and has benefited from the organization’s research, technical expertise, federal advocacy, and opportunities to learn from other local governments.
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