Dade City mayor puts down gavel

After serving two stints in the office, Charles McIntosh says he will remain active in the community. Scott Black takes over the role.

By CHASE SQUIRES

© St. Petersburg Times, published May 10, 2000

DADE CITY -- Charles McIntosh rose from his seat at the head of the City Commission at 6:03 p.m. Tuesday, laid down the gavel he held as mayor and took a seat in the audience.

After 15 years on the commission, 10 of those as mayor, McIntosh, 82, accepted the standing ovation and retired from elective office.

Newly installed Commissioner Lowell Harris, as his first act in office, nominated longtime Commissioner Scott Black to the position of mayor. Commissioner Eunice Penix seconded the nomination, and Black was elected unanimously by his fellow commissioners.

"This is every Trilby boy's dream," Black said after the meeting, "to move to Dade City and be the mayor."

In Dade City's form of government, commissioners are elected to four-year terms, then select a mayor from within their ranks every two years.

McIntosh, elected to the commission in 1985, served as mayor from 1988-90 and again from 1992 until Tuesday night. He chose not to run for re-election this spring, but vowed to stay active.

McIntosh has agreed to continue serving on the city's Police and Fire Pension Board and is a key player in the effort to renovate the Crescent Theater. He said he also plans to work with the Community Alliance panel on race relations, which is being restarted after a hiatus.

Also at Tuesday's meeting, Harris and Commissioner Hutch Brock accepted the oath of office as the newest members on the five-member board, and Penix was installed for a new term after winning re-election without a contest this spring.

The commission presented the outgoing Gregg Lynch, who opted not to run again this year, with a plaque for his service on the board. McIntosh, honored last month at a dinner, accepted a proclamation honoring his achievements from the town of Saint Leo, presented by that town's mayor, Janis Klingle.

Black, 35, said he grew up always being aware of politics, and to be named mayor was a high point.

"It's quite an honor," he said. "I've been looking forward to this for some time."

McIntosh said his longtime colleague was ready.

"I think he's well trained," McIntosh said with a smile. "He does his homework."

As he took his place on the commission, Brock made his presence felt immediately.

In his first chance to address the board as a member, Brock vowed to carry out his campaign promise of better service to the city's youth. He asked City Manager Doug Drymon to pen an ordinance creating the Youth Committee on Recreation. The advisory board, if approved by commission, would establish a youth recreation program in a city that has been without one. The committee would not replace the proposed YMCA but would augment it, he said.

Brock credited his one-time political opponent, Steve Van Gorden, with helping him develop the idea and said Van Gorden has agreed to serve on the committee.

Harris immediately supported the idea.

Drymon noted efforts to establish YMCA programs in Dade City remain on track and said the push so far has raised $75,000.

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