Sarasota Mayor Willie Shaw honored with 2016 Home Rule Hero Award

Nearly 70 local government officials recognized

Sarasota Mayor Willie Shaw. File photo
Sarasota Mayor Willie Shaw. File photo

Mayor Willie Charles Shaw recently was honored by the Florida League of Cities with the 2016 Home Rule Hero Award “in recognition of his outstanding advocacy” for the protection of Home Rule powers and rights for the city’s constituents and citizens during the 2016 Legislative Session, the City of Sarasota has announced.

This is the second consecutive year he has won the recognition, a city news release says.

“It is with the utmost honor and privilege to be acknowledged by the Florida League of Cities, along with such prestigious elected officials [who] also serve with similar goals as legislative advocates for continuous protection of Home Rule rights to better serve our municipal constituents and valued citizens at-large throughout the State of Florida,” said Shaw in the release.

Shaw was among nearly 70 local government officials, including neighboring Bradenton Councilman Patrick Roff, who were recognized, the release notes.

“Our Home Rule Heroes are the embodiment of local advocacy at its finest,” said Hawthorne Mayor and Florida League of Cities President Matt Surrency in the release. “These dedicated municipal officials take time out of their busy schedules to build relationships with their legislators and help them understand the issues that are most important to their communities,” he added in the release.

“Home Rule is the ability for a city to establish its own form of government and enact ordinances, codes, plans and resolutions without prior state approval,” the release explains.