TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - On Saturday, Oct. 25, 2014, the City of Tallahassee (COT) is hosting a farewell celebration honoring Tallahassee Mayor John Marks. The free public event is from 5:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Meridian Plaza at Cascades Park, 1001 S. Gadsden Street.
Mayor Marks has served three terms as the capital city's mayor, beginning in 2003. According to Lizzy Kelly, spokesperson for the City of Tallahassee, Marks will leave office as the longest serving mayor in Tallahassee's history - nearly 12 years.
"Serving as mayor of the City of Tallahassee for more than a decade has been an extraordinary honor," Marks said. "I can think of no greater privilege than to have been asked to represent the citizens of this community. I am indebted to the people of Tallahassee for allowing me the opportunity serve and for the support they have shown me and my family throughout the years."
Marks has made numerous accomplishments during his time as mayor, including a first-of-its-kind Smart Grid system. He also helped start the "shop local" trend through the initiative Local Business Saturday, the Experience Asia Festival and the Back-to-School Community Experience.
Kelly says under the leadership of Mayor Marks, the City of Tallahassee has received several awards and accolades including Tallahassee being named the Most Livable City in America, Florida's first Gold Certified Green City and the COT Your Own Utilities was named the #1 Public Electric Utility in the nation.
"I am tremendously proud of the work that we have accomplished over the past 12 years," Marks said. "Thanks to our community's shared vision, exemplary city commissioners and staff and a willingness to embrace new ideas and technologies, Tallahassee offers a quality of life unmatched by any city in the nation."
Mayor Marks tells ABC27 that although he will be leaving the office of Mayor, he and his wife Jane Marks will still continue to be actively involved in the community.
