Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Proclamations topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Oakland commissioners honor former mayor Curtis Massey and State Sen. Geraldine Thompson
Summary
The Town of Oakland commission read proclamations Feb. 25 honoring the late Curtis Massey — the town's first Black mayor — and State Senator Geraldine Thompson for longtime legislative support; three copies of Thompson’s proclamation will be distributed (town, family, Tallahassee).
The Town of Oakland commission opened its Feb. 25 meeting by honoring two recently deceased community leaders.
Mayor Shane Taylor read a proclamation commemorating Curtis Massey, who the document says made history in 1975 as Oakland’s first Black mayor, served in the U.S. military during World War II, founded a citrus transport company, and supported local homeownership when banks would not. The proclamation notes Massey’s reported birthdate, community work and a long life of civic involvement and says he died Jan. 29, 2024, at age 98.
Taylor also read a proclamation for State Senator Geraldine Thompson, highlighting her nearly 20 years in the Florida Legislature and her advocacy for education, health care and civil-rights preservation. The proclamation credited Thompson with helping secure state appropriations for Oakland since 2012 and with a role in establishing Orlando’s Wells Built Museum of African American History and Culture. The commission said three copies of Thompson’s proclamation will be produced — for the town, the family and for submission in Tallahassee.
The proclamations were ceremonial and required no vote; the commission moved on to the consent agenda and regular business after the readings.
The commission did not propose further action tied to the proclamations at the meeting.
