GAINESVILLE – One year ago COVID-19 restrictions forced the cancellation of the “2020 State of The City” speech by Gainesville Mayor Danny Dunagan, and now a decision to not seek re-election this fall means he won’t be giving the 2022 annual speech either.
Dunagan concluded the “2021 State of The City” speech Tuesday evening on a personal note. “In closing,” Dunagan said, his voice noticeably fading after giving the 26-minute report on what happened during the preceding twelve months in Gainesville, “I’d like to take a moment of personal privilege.”
Explaining how the city charter was changed nearly a decade ago, ending a mayoral rotation among city council members and henceforth requiring the mayor’s position to be an elected post, Dunagan said, “I am the first mayor to serve under that new charter, since January, 2014, and I was re-elected in 2017. My mayoral term ends in 2021 and I shall not be a candidate for mayor this year.”
Dunagan’s emotions began to show as he thanked his family, his fellow council members, the employees of the City of Gainesville and the people who placed their trust in him twice during his two campaigns for mayor.
After the city council meeting Dunagan was quick to point out that his decision to not seek re-election was not because of any health concerns. “No, it isn’t health-related; it’s business and just slowing down a little.”
Dunagan owns several dry cleaning outlets in Gainesville and said carrying out all the responsibilities as mayor kept him away from home and his workplace more than he wanted. “It is a very time consuming job, and with my business and so forth I need to just step back a little and slow down just a little.”
He added that the decision to not run again has been a progressive decision made over many months, but that he isn’t totally finished being involved in the affairs of Gainesville, his lifelong home.
While declining to expand on what he might be considering, Dunagan added with a twinkle in his eye, “Stay tuned.” And that we will.
(To hear Mayor Dunagan’s State of The City report in its entirety use the audio player above.)
