ANNA MARIA – Duncan Real Estate and former mayor Dan Murphy are the city of Anna Maria’s Distinguished Citizens of the Year for 2024.
Murphy and Duncan Real Estate owner Darcie Duncan received the awards during the Feb. 13 city commission meeting. Other nominees were gRub Tropical BBQ owner Ben Sato for the free meals he provided during the hurricane recovery process and The Sun’s loveable cartoon character, Foster Dribbles.
The co-winners were determined by a three-member selection committee consisting of Jim Hall, Annamaria Laszlo and Warren Collins.
“It is an honor to present these awards today, and to Dan Murphy, thank you very much for your service,” Hall said when presenting Duncan and Murphy with their plaques.
Mayor Mark Short then read aloud one of the nomination forms received for Duncan Real Estate.
“Darcie Duncan and her team at Duncan Real Estate were instrumental in organizing and providing provisions and assistance following Hurricanes Helene and Milton. The staff gave unselfishly of their time, energy and resources for relief efforts to the Island community. The team assisted with organizing, obtaining donations and serving to make the community Thanksgiving dinner (“Let’s Give Thanks Together”) a huge success. Staff continues to support community members as they rebuild and relocate, as well as welcoming new visitors and homeowners to the city of Anna Maria,” the nomination form said.
When accepting the award, Duncan said, “We wouldn’t have this award without my team, some of which are here. I wanted them here because it’s not about me, it’s about all of them.”
Duncan praised Murphy for guiding the city through the back-to-back hurricanes she described as the most challenging time the Island has faced during her lifetime.
“Dan Murphy is a rock star. You were an amazing leader through everything,” she said.
When reading aloud one of Murphy’s nomination forms, Short said, “Dan led the city through an unprecedented hurricane season. His quick action helped the city recover faster than any other affected municipality in the region. Dan paired quick action with his considerable experience as an executive to restore a sense of normalcy to the Island in the wake of the hurricanes.
“Through his leadership, the residents of the city were able to focus on the recovery while the city handled the difficult task of damage assessment, debris and building material removal and the restoration of city services. Dan’s commitment to the city over his 10 years of service has never been more on display than during this time of crisis. We all owe him a huge debt of gratitude. In his trademark humble form, Dan would say he was just doing his job, but he did it better than anyone, and it showed.”
Murphy mentioned the plaque hanging near the commission chamber doors that bears the names of the past Distinguished Citizen of the Year winners. He said it was humbling to be on the same plaque as former mayor Ernie Cagnini, past winners Ed Chiles, Pat Copeland, Doug Copeland, his own wife, Barbara, and many more individuals and organizations.
“It’s an honor to be considered in the same league with the people that have shaped this city,” he said.
Murphy praised Short for the hurricane preparation and recovery assistance he provided while serving as city commission chair before taking over as mayor in November.
“Mark and I were a team. Mark was always right there by my side and I could not have done that alone. And we had a remarkable staff. It was quite an ordeal,” Murphy said.
Short also presented Murphy with an encased United States flag that flew over the U.S. Capitol in Washington D.C. on Dec. 20 at the request of Sen. Rick Scott. The flag flew in honor of Murphy’s 80th birthday, his service to the city and his past service with the U.S. Army.
“It’s been an honor to work with you throughout your time as mayor and witness your selfless work to help families recover from unimaginable storms,” said the letter from Scott that accompanied the encased flag. The letter also notes Murphy received the Viet Nam Service Medal, two bronze stars and the Vietnam Campaign medal.
“You truly represent the best of what it means to be an American and a Floridian,” the letter says.
“This is wonderful. Thank you,” Murphy said.
