FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 28, 2022
CONTACT: Sunni Krantz, Interim City Clerk, City of Palatka skrantz@palatka-fl.gov; 386-329-0100
The Florida League of Cities (FLC), celebrating its 100th anniversary as the united voice for Florida’s municipal governments, recently recognized Palatka City Commissioner Rufus J. Borom with a 2022 Home Rule Hero Award for his hard work and advocacy efforts during the 2022 Legislative Session. Commissioner Borom worked tirelessly throughout session to promote local voices making local choices, protect the Home Rule powers of Florida’s municipalities and advance the League’s legislative agenda.
“On behalf of the League and its legislative team, we’re very proud to present this year’s Home Rule Hero Awards to a deserving group of municipal leaders,” said FLC Director of Legislative Affairs Casey Cook. “We had a record number of Home Rule Heroes this year, which shows the dedication and impact of local officials on behalf of their residents and businesses in protecting local decision-making. These local officials were constantly engaged and actively advocating for their communities throughout the 2022 Legislative Session. They’re heroes for Home Rule and we thank them for their efforts.”
Home Rule is the ability for a city to address local problems with local solutions with minimal state interference. Home Rule Hero Award recipients are local government officials, both elected and nonelected, who consistently responded to the League’s request to reach out to members of the legislature and help give a local perspective on an issue.
Pictured is Palatka Commissioner Rufus Borom accepting the Florida League of Cities Home Rule Hero Award from Ms. Allison Payne, Florida League of Cities Manager of Advocacy Programs & Federal Affairs at the Northeast Florida League of Cities Meeting on June 16, 2022, held in Orange Park.
Commissioner Borom has served on the Palatka City Commission and Community Redevelopment Agency since 2015. During this time, he has been very active with the FLC, having served on the Transportation & Intergovernmental Relations Committee as Chair 2021-2022, Advocacy Committee 2021–2022, Nominating Committee 2017 and 2022, Federal Action Strike Team 2015 and 2017, and Resolutions Committee 2022. He has also served on the Northeast Florida League of Cities Governmental Leadership Committee Board of Directors 2020–present. He is a graduate of the FLC Institute for Elected Municipal Officials II and the FLC Leadership Academy I. Among his many accolades, he is a recipient of the Keep Putnam Beautiful “Golden Trash Award” 2017. Commissioner Borom’s motto is “people over politics” as Jack Abramoff once said: “If you make the choice to serve the public ‘Public Service’, then serve the public, not yourself”.
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Founded in 1922, the Florida League of Cities is the united voice for Florida’s municipal governments. Its goals are to promote local self-government and serve the needs of Florida’s cities, which are formed and governed by their citizens. The League believes in “Local Voices Making Local Choices,” which focuses on the impact citizens and city leaders have in improving Florida’s communities. For more information, visit flcities.com.