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Tag: Distinguished Citizens of the Year

Duncan Real Estate, Murphy named Citizens of the Year

Duncan Real Estate, Murphy named Citizens of the Year

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Anna Maria, Community News.

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 Real Estate, Murphy named Citizens of the Year
Duncan Real Estate was honored for its post-hurricane service to the community. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

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.

Duncan Real Estate, Murphy named Citizens of the Year
Mayor Mark Short, left, presented former mayor Dan Murphy with a flag that flew over the U.S. Capitol in his honor. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

“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.

Voyles and Murphy honored as Citizens of the Year

Voyles, Murphy honored as Citizens of the Year

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Anna Maria, Community News.

ANNA MARIA – Joan Voyles and Barbara Murphy have been named the city of Anna Maria’s Distinguished Citizens of the Year.

The two were recognized in a ceremony at Anna Maria City Hall during the Jan. 27 city commission meeting. Maureen Dye nominated Voyles and Nancy Flynn nominated Murphy for the award.

Although they weren’t selected, Commission Chair Carol Carter nominated Debbie Greenspan and Christine Aaron for the work they do with their AMI Pup Rescue organization.

Selection committee members Kathy Patten and Marsha McAllister presented this year’s awards.

After noting there are many “unsung heroes” in the community and many in the commission chambers that evening, Patten said, “We’ve got two people who will no longer be unsung heroes because we’re going to sing their praises.”

When presenting Voyles’ award, McAllister said, “She’s the first person my husband and I met when we moved to the Island. I’ve known her for about four years now. She has accomplished so much in the arts community and she’s been so generally community-minded and caring and generous with her time and her talents.”

“She’s a leader in her community,” Patten added.

McAllister noted Voyles is a former president of the Artists’ Guild of Anna Maria Island, president of the Manatee County Arts Council and founder and past president of the inactive Island-based Cultural Connections organization that hosted annual artsHOP events.

“It’s amazing that she found time to paint 50 watercolor images, and so many of the Island,” McAllister said.

She noted Voyles’ “iconic paintings” hang in several homes on Anna Maria Island and around the globe, with subjects that include the Rod & Reel Pier, the City Pier, The Island Players theater and other Island landmarks and landscapes.

When accepting her award, Voyles said, “It’s a beautiful plaque. Thank you very much. I’m privileged to live in a wonderful community and work with so many people. When you’re a volunteer in the community it’s a good way to get to know people. We have such wonderful assets here; the theater, the Historical Society, the orchestra and chorus. We have the galleries. We just have a lot to make this a special place in addition to our beach and all those good things we have. I’m very pleased to have lived here. I’m a lucky person.”

After Voyles received a warm round of applause, Carter said, “We’re honored to have you as an active member of our community.”

“Your art even graces my office,” Mayor Dan Murphy added.

Before recognizing Barbara Murphy, Patten said, “This is a great community, because we didn’t have to work too hard to come up with two wonderful people.”

Patten then said, “It’s an honor to introduce our fabulous first lady. She’s well known for her commitment to our city in so many ways. Barb serves as vice president of the Anna Maria Historical Society and she visits the museum to chat with the docents and check that all is well. May through November, when most of the board members are away, she is the overseer and the operating manager of the museum. She’s always looking for innovative ways to improve the museum and historical park. She’s also the driving force behind the AMI Historical Society being nominated and winning the AMI Chamber of Commerce non-profit of the year last year, 2021.

“She’s a teacher of CCD at St. Bernard Church, an active member of the church and she’s an avid member of the garden club. She’s an integral part of the chamber. Barb has made a big difference on our Island and the city of Anna Maria. She exemplifies positivity everywhere she goes, and her willingness to help others and her dedication to our community all add up to why she should be selected as Distinguished Citizen of the Year,” Patten said.

After receiving her plaque and a round of applause, Murphy said, “Thank you so much. It’s a tremendous honor. I enjoy all my involvement with the chamber, the garden club and the historical society.”

Murphy noted Patten previously served as a mayoral first lady in New Jersey, and when Dan Murphy was first elected mayor, she sought advice from Patten on being a mayor’s wife and a city’s first lady.

“There’s times when you can be vocal and express your opinion, but there’s times when you have to zip it up,” Murphy said regarding her role as first lady.

“I don’t feel deserving of this award. There’s so many others in our community that work so hard and do so much. I thank you,” Murphy said in closing.

“Two gems of our community. Thank you both and congratulations,” Carter said.