Dan Murphy is a roll-up-the-sleeves kind of mayor.
And without opposition in his quest for reelection, he’s returning to the Anna Mayor leadership post for a fifth two-year term of work.
Murphy was first elected in 2014 and was then elected without opposition in 2016, 2018 and 2020.
Murphy cited multiple reasons for a possible lack of opposition and said he would welcome greater participation in the process: “People tend to shy away from politics. It’s a shame that they do, there are so many talented people among us in our community who could step up and make major contributions to our overall quality of life.”
As he readied for another term, the mayor joined an Oct. 18 Islander Q&A.
The Islander: What do you see as the most important issue facing the city?
Dan Murphy: The continual erosion of home rule. This impacts almost everything our city is able to offer our residents.
At the forefront are the continual attempts to persuade the Legislature to take away our ability to locally regulate the vacation rental industry. Almost 70% of the dwellings in our city are vacation rentals. Local regulation ensures that our full-time residents’ quality of life concerns are not overrun by any single industry.
But it goes even further than vacation rentals. Subtle changes in limiting local government’s ability to do what is best for their community permeate every legislative session — from taking away our building codes, limiting our ability to protect our tree canopy and even providing an incentive for a business to sue any city passing a regulatory ordinance!
Public awareness of the seriousness of this issue is key if we are to stop this trend.
We have two approaches to address the threats:
- HomeRuleFL.com, our website, helps the public know the issues and gives them an effective and easy avenue to send an email voicing their concern. …
- Our lobbyist provides Anna Maria direct access to the Legislature and the governor’s office so that we can advise them of the ramifications of proposed legislation. …
The Islander: What do you see as the most important capital improvement project for the city?
DM: We have three core capital projects that we are funding this year and next: Stormwater drainage improvements, paving our roads, Reimagining Pine Ave.
Although all three are important, the one with the biggest impact is Reimagining Pine Ave. Our main thoroughfare is in dire need of a redo and now is the time for us to get that done.
The Islander: The completion of the new pier seems a milestone in your history as mayor. How often do you get out to the pier? Do you have a favorite spot?
DM: Although the historic city pier was a massive effort, I’ve never considered it my milestone. The pier was a team effort all the way through, with our commission, our residents and our staff, along with the financial assistance from the state, county and the TDC, all playing vital roles in building the new pier.
As to getting out on the pier and my favorite spot, I try to take a stroll on our pier once a week.
Every spot out there has a fantastic view! If I had a favorite spot, it would be any seat where I could have a cold beer and hear Mike Sales singing “Trouble Can’t Swim.”
The Islander: When you look ahead two years, what do you hope to have accomplished as mayor?
DM: This may well be my last term in office.
During these next two years, our city commission and the mayor’s office need to provide Anna Maria with the very best infrastructure in the state.
That means a city with little to no stormwater drainage issues, freshly paved streets, safe and user-friendly thoroughfares, along with clean, calm and inviting residential neighborhoods.
All of this is already within our grasp, it will just require a strong team effort to put the finishing touches on what is already a great place to live.
The Islander: Do you have a message you’d like to share with the voters?
DM: Two messages: Please, step up and serve, Anna Maria needs your talent now more than ever.
Keep your eye on the attempts to erode home rule. Take action, visit HomeRuleFL.com.
The Anna Maria mayor is paid $19,600 annually.