The Florida League of Cities recognized Oldsmar with the City Spirit award.

OLDSMAR – The Florida League of Cities has awarded this city with the City Spirit award in recognition of its Peoples Centennial.

Oldsmar was chosen from among 400 Florida cities for the award, which recognizes a single, specific citywide effort to successfully address a local need.It was one of four Municipal Achievement Awards given by the League. Melbourne won the Florida Citizenship award, and Lauderdale-By-The-Sea and Fort Myers were given the Environmental Stewardship award.

“For nearly a decade, the Florida Municipal Achievement Awards have been recognizing excellence and innovation in local government programs. Florida’s municipalities are known for utilizing creative solutions and new ideas to better serve the citizens of our cities and these awards honor the best of the best,” said Susan Haynie, League president and Boca Raton mayor. “Congratulations to the winning cities for their outstanding programs that have earned the prestigious Florida Municipal Achievement Award!”

Oldsmar’s People Centennial showcased how the city and its citizens worked together in 2016 to celebrate the 100-year anniversary of the founding of the Oldsmar by Ransom Eli Olds – the inventor of the Oldsmobile and REO automobiles. Scores of citizens, businesses, and civic organizations partnered with the city to organize numerous events tailored toward its diverse community. The collaboration culminated in an event for citizens of all ages that displayed Oldsmar’s true city spirit, according to the Florida League.

“This is quite an honor and an amazing achievement,” Oldsmar Council Member Dan Saracki said. For Oldsmar to be recognized on a state level for the City Spirit Award, this shows how committed our community is to bringing people together. I always knew our City had spirit, and the entire state of Florida will know, too.”

Saracki, who formed the People’s Centennial Task Force committee two years before the start of a yearlong celebration, said the city would not have won without the help of the many volunteers that made it happen.

“The volunteers of the People’s Centennial Task force should be very proud of their leadership and accomplishments that made this award possible. Their hard work and dedication is something I have never witnessed before,” Saracki said.

He added, “The schedule of events kicked off in January 2016 featuring Fifth Fridays chaired by Darlene Lazier, Ed Derkevics, Vickie Mills, Ginger Tatarzewski and Quyen Trujillo, and concluded with a legends of rock concert on Oct. 1 chaired by Becky Afonso. Countless hours were also volunteered by Jeri Antozzi, Gator Black, Gina Rogers-Price, and many others. The support we received from City staff, Upper Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce, Oldsmar Historical Society, and the Olds Club of Florida was incredible. I would also like to extend a special thank you to the local businesses who sponsored the Centennial very generously, and to the Great-Grandson of RE Olds, Thomas Roe, who never missed a meeting.”

The Florida League of Cities is the united voice for Florida’s municipal governments. Its goals are to serve the needs of Florida’s cities and promote local self-government.

For information about Oldsmar, go to myoldsmar.com.

Oldsmar | Peoples Centennial | City Spirit Award | Florida League of Cities | Dan Saracki | Tampa Bay News | TB Reporter

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