by SC Reporter Emilie Alfino
May 6, 2024, was declared Sergeant Anthony Neri Day on Sanibel according to City Council at its May 7, 2024, meeting. Sergeant Anthony Neri was hired as a Police Aide on November 29, 2012, promoted to Police Officer on April 20, 2015, and was promoted posthumously to Sergeant on May 15, 2019. Sergeant Neri passed away during a training exercise while on duty on May 6, 2019. He 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 of service as a Police Officer with the Sanibel Police Department at the time of his passing. Sergeant Neri 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.
The Office of the Professional Municipal Clerk, a time-honored and vital part of local government, exists throughout the world and is the longest-standing among public servants. The Office of the Professional Municipal Clerk provides the professional link among citizens, 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 as the information center on functions of local government and community. These Clerks continually strive to improve the administration of the affairs of the Office of the Professional Municipal Clerk through participation in education programs, seminars, workshops, and the annual meetings of their state, provincial, county, and international professional organizations. The City Council, on behalf of the citizens of Sanibel, recognizes the week of May 5 through May 11, 2024, as Professional Municipal Clerks Week, and further extends appreciation to our 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.
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 well-being 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. It is in the public interest for the citizens, civic leaders, and children in the City of Sanibel to gain knowledge of and to maintain an ongoing interest and understanding of the importance of public works and public works programs in their respective communities. This year marks the 64th Annual National Public Works Week sponsored by the American Public Works Association/Canadian Public Works Association. The Sanibel City Council is grateful for the exceptional work performed by the staff members of the Sanibel Public Works Department, who work to ensure that the residents of Sanibel receive excellent engineering, operational and administrative services on a daily basis.
In 1993, the Lee County Bar Association created an award ceremony to show appreciation for the commitment from our local law enforcement, teachers, and citizens who promote the idea of “equality and justice under the law.” Historically, in 1949 the Lee County Bar Association was formed as a voluntary organization of attorneys living and working in Lee County, Florida. The Lee County Bar Association serves the citizens and legal community by offering free legal clinics and strives to help residents by providing a lawyer referral service and offering local support. The Lee County Bar Association celebrates Law Week to recognize “Voices of Democracy” by educating the community through these special events to emphasize the importance of law through freedom of speech. The Bar Association celebrates Law Week as an extension of Law Day, which was May 1. Celebrations included an annual awards luncheon in which the local Law Enforcement Agencies acknowledged their “Officer of the Year.” On May 3, 2024, Sanibel Police Officer Kyle Eckert was recognized as Law Enforcement Officer of the Year for his service and heroism in the line of duty when on April 3 he saved the life of Councilmember John Henshaw’s wife.
The National League of Cities was founded in 1924 in Lawrence, Kansas, as the American Municipal Association by state municipal leagues seeking more coordination and national representation as cities, towns, and villages expanded rapidly. 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 works in partnership with 49 state municipal leagues across the country to strengthen local leadership, drive innovation, and influence the federal policies that impact local programs and operations. As the voice of cities, towns, and villages in Washington, DC, 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 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. Local governments are the bedrock of American democracy, providing 336 million residents with the most accountable, responsive, inclusive, ethical, and transparent government in the world. The City of Sanibel was first incorporated in 1974 and is proudly served today by Mayor Richard Johnson, Vice Mayor Mike Miller, Councilmember Laura DeBruce, Councilmember John Henshaw, and Councilmember Holly Smith; and a municipal workforce of 159 dedicated public servants. The City of Sanibel proclaims May 2024 as National Cities, Towns, and Villages Month in celebration of America’s local governments and the National League of Cities’ historic centennial anniversary.
Council Presents Key to City to Senator Martin
