- November 16, 2024
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An overflow crowd of more than 100 people packed a room at the Highjackers restaurant Sunday, June 14 at a celebration to recognize County Commissioner George Hanns’ quarter century of service to the county.
Hanns, the longest-serving member of the current county commission, was first elected to the Flagler County Commission in 1992 after serving for two years on the Palm Coast Service District Advisory Council. He is serving his sixth County Commission term, and has not yet decided, he said, if he’ll run for a seventh.
The celebration, held by the Flagler County Democratic Executive Committee, was attended by some of the county’s most prominent Republicans, as well as Democrats.
Attendees included County Commissioners Frank Meeker, Nate McLaughlin, and Charlie Ericksen — Commissioner Barbara Revels was out of town — as well as County Administrator Craig Coffey, City Councilman Jason DeLorenzo, Sheriff James Manfre, Democratic Executive Committee Chairman Ralph Lightfoot and others.
“When I served here, I found him to be one of the most caring, thoughtful commissioners that I have seen in Flagler County,” said Milissa Holland, who served on the commission from 2006 to 2012. “He’s very dedicated to the community. And he’s also funny.”
Hanns, who has a mischievous penchant for making commission audiences burst out with laughter during proceedings which might otherwise be staid, threw in one of his quips during a meeting the next day.
“As of now I’m not fed up with the job,” he said. “I appreciate doing something late in life that’s meaningful, and it will be hard to walk away from this. …and I may not even take blood pressure medicine tonight.”
He said he’s avoided partisan bickering and enjoys the commission.
“In Flagler County, at the County Commission, once a commissioner is elected, politics are out,” he said. “We represent everyone, whether they agree with us or not, we represent them. And it’s something that I’m very proud of, and it’s going to be hard to walk away. Next year will be my 24th year, and I’ll make that decision way in advance if I’m going to run or not, so those that may be looking to run will have an opportunity to start doing whatever they do to get elected.”
Former Flagler County Sheriff Donald Fleming, who served as a Republican, said at the celebration that Hanns “was always willing to meet and discuss issues, be a gentleman about everything that was gong on. He was and is a credit to the county; I don’t think we’ll see another George Hanns for a long time.”
Hanns was presented with a certificate of special congressional recognition signed by Congressman Ron DeSantis, an Honorary Flagler County Navy Sailor certificate, and a wood plaque marked “in appreciation for his outstanding dedication and loyalty to Flagler County” from the Flagler County Democratic Executive Committee.
