- November 23, 2024
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The Port Orange Family Days Community Trust Board held a celebration to honor the community service of late City Councilman Bob Ford at 2 p.m. on Sunday, March 31.
Members of the Board, Mayor Don Burnette, and former City Manager, Ken Parker, presented a brick to Marilyn Ford in her husband’s honor. Marilyn Ford is currently running for Port Orange City Council District 1.
Burnette read the inscription on the brick, “In memory of Bob Ford, a true champion of the Port Orange community”.
“Bob Ford transformed our police department into something we can be very proud,” Burnette said. “We’ve been named the second safest city in Florida. Bob laid the foundation for that.”
Burnette talked about the special bond he and Ford had because they were on the council together for eight years. They sat next to one another. Their conversations helped make Burnette’s service meaningful because Ford’s perspective gave Burnette a unique understanding, Burnette said.
Parker talked about his relationship with Ford. Ford worked for Parker when Ford was police chief. Parker then worked for Ford, when Ford was serving on the City Council.
“The first thing you found with Bob was that he was passionate," Parker said. "He said that he believed in police work, and he believed that police officers should be involved in their community."
He continued speaking about Ford's story-telling skills.
“When we would have those tense times around the city, Bob always would have a story that would lift and lighten up the mood,” Parker said. “All of us who had a chance to work with him have great stories that are part of our memory bank, Marilyn.”
When Marilyn Ford received the brick, she said Bob Ford’s reaction would have been, “what’s all the fuss?" But he would have been pleased, she added.
Burnette concluded the celebration with a reading of Psalm 23, “The Lord is my Shepherd."
