County Commissioner Rodney Long, who announced his retirement in an email Monday morning, said he will continue to serve the Gainesville and Alachua County community from his private sector.
"It's time to leave while I'm at the top of my game," said Long, as he chronicled his 22-year public service career at his official retirement speech Wednesday morning to a crowd of almost 80.
He reminisced about his career milestones including founding the Martin Luther King Jr. Commission of Florida, serving as president of the Florida Association of Counties and spearheading the Plan East Gainesville project.
He also joked about his pitfalls, remembering his first bout of negative publicity shortly after his 1988 election.
"You wanted to be a trail blazer," Long recalled, "so, blaze the trail."
Smiles, nods and laughs in the audience followed each of Long's statements. Tears even flowed for some, including Diyonne McGraw, a professional and personal friend of Long's.
"The timing is perfect," she said of Long's decision to retire. McGraw said Long played a large role in her life as a mentor, guiding her professional career, and that he's left an even bigger impact on the community.
Long said his community involvement won't stop. He has plans to continue projects in his areas of concern, such as developing and improving east Gainesville, reducing poverty and homelessness and providing education for at-risk youth.
It was 1988 when Long's career as a public service officer took off with his election as the first single-member district commissioner. He was re-elected in 1991, and after much controversy, was elected the first district mayor-commissioner later that year.
In 2000, Long won his first county seat on the Alachua County Commission, making him the first African-American to serve on both the Gainesville City Commission and the Alachua County Board of Commissioners.
Long also announced in his retirement email that state Rep. Charles S. "Chuck" Chestnut IV, D- Gainesville, will seek Long's District 5 seat on the County Commission.
"I believe that he could actually be an individual who could hit the ground running," Long said. "It's time to pass the torch."
