Bradenton City Councilman Gene Gallo won't run for reelection in 2016
BRADENTON -- It's been more than a half century since Ward 1 City Councilman Gene Gallo first devoted his life to public service as a young fireman in 1960, rising to the rank of fire chief and eventually starting a long career in city politics.
Gallo, who was first elected to the city council in 1991 after 11 years as fire chief, announced Monday that he will serve out his final term on the council and retire Dec. 31, 2016, bringing an end to 56 years of service to the city of Bradenton.
"I have decided it is time for me to step back and enjoy all that life has to offer me and my beautiful family," said Gallo. "It has been a privilege to serve in many capacities, including 31 years and six months with the Bradenton Fire Department and finally as Ward 1 councilman."
Never afraid to speak his mind, Gallo said about his eventual replacement, "In politics there are two kinds of people. You have people who want to serve the community and you have people who want a job. I didn't need a job. I wanted to serve the city in the same way I served the city in the fire department, by helping people," Gallo said. "I do hope that someone who cares as much about the city as I do will come forward and lead Ward 1 to its next chapter. I will take with me many wonderful memories and will cherish the friends I have made in these many years."
Gallo said in all of his years on the dais featuring many debates and controversial votes, his biggest accomplishment has been the friendships he's forged.
"It's going to be the people I work with that I'll miss the most," he said. "They've been fabulous people and I'll miss seeing them every day. I'll miss serving the people. When people call me with problems I've been able to resolve their concerns 99 percent of the time to their satisfaction. That's been great."
Mayor Wayne Poston said Gallo discussed his retirement prior to making Monday's announcement.
"He just said that he wanted to let me know he wasn't going to run again," said Poston. "If you know, you know and it's his decision. I hate to lose Gene, but there comes a time for everyone when you know it's time to move on. He's done a wonderful job for the city and has often been the voice of reason on the council."
Gallo said he's been considering his retirement for the past six months, but he came to his final decision this past weekend while stuck in the hospital with a back issue.
"My health is not the best and the hospital stay gave me time to think about it," he said. "If I served out another full term, I'd be 82 years old. I talked it over with my wife and daughters and they said, 'Dad, you've been there long enough and you are leaving Bradenton different than when you found it.'"
With the blessing of family, friends and colleagues, Gallo will leave the council behind for time with family and bass fishing at his favorite fishing hole on Lake Okeechobee.
He won't leave it all completely behind, however.
"I'm not someone who can wake up, sip on coffee and stare out the window all day," he said. "I need to be active so I'm happy to volunteer on some boards, if they'll have me. I need to stay active. I just hope that God has one more journey for me to take before I go home to Him."
The November 2016 city elections include Gallo's Ward 1 seat, the Ward 5 currently held by Councilman Harold Byrd Jr. and the mayor's seat.
Mark Young, Herald urban affairs reporter, can be reached at 941-745-7041 or follow him on Twitter@urbanmark2014.
This story was originally published November 9, 2015 at 4:43 PM with the headline "Bradenton City Councilman Gene Gallo won't run for reelection in 2016 ."