With the praise of his efforts as Milton’s longest serving mayor, former Mayor Guy Thompson refused to take the credit for himself, instead saying it was a team effort. “The Mayor has no power. Unless you build a team, you can’t move forward,” he said.
Photos: Click here to view photos from the event
On Friday afternoon, many current and former City of Milton elected officials gathered at the Guy Thompson Community Center to recognize the renaming of the formerly-known Milton Community Center and the city’s longest serving mayor, himself.
Thompson said he could not find the words to express his gratitude towards the elected officials who voted to rename the facility in his name.
“I am not deserving, because nobody does anything alone,” he said. “I was with the city for 36 years, 16 on the council and 20 as mayor…it’s teamwork, you don’t always have to agree, but we work things out.”
Thompson thanked current and past city officials, including council members, mayors, city managers and City Clerk Dewitt Nobles for their work in serving the City of Milton.
Prior to serving as Milton’s city manager for more than 10 years, Donna Adams said she previously worked with Thompson in a support staff capacity in helping the city apply for grant funding, which went towards city facilities including the community center.
“It was always an honor to work with him because it was his goal to get done,” Adams said. “His goal was always to accomplish and see what we could do to make Milton better…I appreciated that.”
R.L. Lewis was one of several current council members to speak about Thompson. Lewis said he will always be thankful for Thompson stepping aside at letting him become the first African American Mayor in Milton’s history. Thompson resigned in his last year as mayor to let Lewis temporarily serve at the position until current Mayor Wesley Meiss was sworn into office.
“I really do, from the depths of my heart, appreciate that,” Lewis said.
Lewis also spoke strongly of Thompson’s character.
“In the time that I have worked with him, he never ever 'I am the mayor, or I am this' he always used the word ‘we,’” Lewis said. “That is the kind of person Guy is…he might be a little frank, but he has a big heart.”
City officials honored Thompson with a plaque recognizing the renaming of the community center, which offers senior activities, sporting venues and other community events.
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: City recognizes Former Mayor Guy Thompson by renaming Milton Community Center (PHOTOS, VIDEO)