Gulfport Mayor Honored For Service

While fighting back tears, Mayor Mike Yakes' daughter, Dominique Taleno, congratulated her father on his upcoming, well-deserved retirement and thanked him for dedicating 27 years to the City of Gulfport.

"For as long as I can remember, my dad has been dedicated to the city," Taleno said at Mayor Yakes' dedication ceremony on Saturday, Feb. 23 at the Gulfport Recreation Center.

Hundreds of friends, family members and city leaders joined together to honor the mayor. Mayor Yakes served as a council member from 1986 to 1991 and was elected mayor in 1991. He will retire mid-March after a combined 27 years of public service.

"My heart is filled with so much joy, I can hardly express myself," Yakes said Saturday.

Prior to the unveiling of the newly renamed Michael J. Yakes Recreation Complex, Vice Mayor Sam Henderson, Gulfport Area Chamber of Commerce President Lori Rosso and Harry Glen, Congressman Bill Young's Chief of Staff shared special thanks and stories over the years.

"You always made time for me and other constituents," Lori Rosso said.

"The business community is going to solely miss your presence," she added.

Dr. Bob Lee, former Gulfport City Manager, presented Yakes with a resolution from the Florida League of Cities Board of Directors and Harry Glen presented the mayor with two United States Flags that were flown over our nation's Capitol. One flag is for the Recreation Center, the other for Yakes.

"I am overwhelmed with love and appreciation," Yakes said.

Related Coverage:

Video: Mayor Yakes Retiring After Nearly 30 Years

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