Commissioners Brown, Getman bid farewell

MANATEE — Gwen Brown wrapped up her final meeting as a Manatee County commissioner thinking back to 2009, her year as chairman, as a highlight of her 16 years on the board.

She credited her success in that role to one mentor: the other commissioner who said goodbye to county government Tuesday afternoon.

“A lot of the things I learned, I really got them from Ron Getman,” Brown said. “He was like a mediator. ... He calmed everyone down.”

Getman, whom other commissioners called a “consensus builder” and “leavening agent,” joked that his wife Vicki helped him cultivate that steady demeanor.

“I got a lot of my calming nature from making my wife mad at me, then trying to calm her down, leaving my shoes in the hallway and her tripping over them, things like that,” he said.

Commissioners held a reception for Brown and Getman during Tuesday’s regular meeting.

Brown, the county’s first black commissioner, represented District 2 since 1994 before suffering a defeat in the Democratic primary. Her final year on the board was marred when she reimbursed the county $1,800 for improper use of supplies and staff time for personal errands.

Getman served two terms as District 4 commissioner. He chose not to seek re-election to devote more time to his home-based travel agency, Getman Cruise and Travel.

Their replacements, Michael Gallen in District 2 and Robin DiSabatino in District 4, will be sworn in Nov. 16.

Both Getman, a former highway patrolman, and Brown, a former Head Start executive director, were praised for their work in public safety.

“The biggest area I think we are going to miss from both of you is all your work in curtailing crime in the area,” commissioner Chairman Donna Hayes said.

Commissioner Carol Whitmore told Brown the board will suffer from the loss of her connections.

“We are going to miss you in the black community,” Whitmore said. “It’s not going to be easy to represent the minority community.”

Brown said she appreciates all the friendships she has made.

“It has been a blast, the past 16 years,” Brown said. “I met a number of good people that work here at Manatee County and that work outside of Manatee County. No one can take those things away from me.”

Getman promised to stay involved in county issues.

“I leave you with fond memories. I will come back every now and then to annoy you from that podium right over there with something that will surely be something you don’t want to hear,” he said.

This story was originally published November 10, 2010 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Commissioners Brown, Getman bid farewell."