Outgoing Mayor and Commissioners Honored

Commissioners Lissette, Jimmy Weekley, Clayton Lopez, and Billy Wardlow, and Vice Mayor Sam Kaufman.

The August City Commission meeting was an emotional one as family and friends of the retiring commissioners gathered at City Hall for the final meeting of three commissioners and the mayor.

District I Commissioner Jimmy Weekley, District VI Commissioner Clayton Lopez, and District III Commissioner Billy Wardlow are all termed out with this election. Mayor Teri Johnston decided not to run for reelection.

The four of them represent a large piece of local history. Collectively, they have provided 83 years of elected service.

Commissioner Jimmy Weekley may be the longest-serving elected official in the City’s history. He was first elected as the District I commissioner in 1985 and served until 1999. He was elected Mayor in 1999 and served until 2005. Weekley then took a four-year hiatus from public life and was elected to the commission again in 2009.

“Wow 35 years – I’ve got a lot to say,” said Commissioner Weekley. “It’s been such an honor to be able to represent this community for all these years. When I was first elected in 1985, I had no intention of doing it this long and it’s the most important thing I’ve done in my life. I look at a legacy not as what I’ve done, but what we’ve done as a community. I’m honored to represent the city that raised me, the city that I love so much.”

Commissioner Clayton Lopez is also terming out this year. He was elected in 2005 and represents Bahama Village and part of the downtown business district. He worked for many years with the Florida Department of Health in Monroe County, retiring from that duty about halfway through his career in elected office.

“These last 19 years seem like a lifetime we’ve spent together, from school days to old age,” said Commissioner Lopez. “We’ve done that much and we’ve accomplished a lot. I have so much joy within my heart that I’ve had the opportunity and the honor of serving.”

Commissioner Billy Wardlow decided to run for office after retiring from a full 30-year career with the Key West Fire Department. He started in high school with the fire academy and eventually became as Fire Chief. He was elected to the commission in 2009.

“I want to thank my wife and family for standing by me all these years,” said Commissioner Wardlow. He said that the City is in good hands, and he commended the staff.  He thanked his friends and family as well. “You’ve all stood by me for the 30 years with the Fire Department and 15 years on the commission. God bless you all.”

Mayor Teri Johnston was first elected to the City Commission to represent District V. She served in that seat from 2007 until 2015 when she decided to take some time off from the dais. However, after three years, she ran for the position of mayor in 2018. After three terms as mayor, she made the decision not to run again. She is the only one of the four that is not termed out.

Mayor Johnston was unable to attend the City Commission meeting. However, she spoke with the City’s Public Information Officer Alyson Crean in a videotaped interview. The full interview, which features all four officials, is available on the City’s website.

“For fourteen years in City government,” said Mayor Johnston, “I have gone to bed and been able to sleep knowing that I’ve made the decisions that were important to the community. I look back on my campaign promises and every single one has been accomplished, realized, or it’s in the works right now. What better time to make my exit.”

The Mayor and Commissioners were each presented a plaque honoring their time on the dais.

The City of Key West thanks each of them – Commissioner Jimmy Weekley, Commission Clayton Lopez, Commissioner Billy Wardlow, and Mayor Teri Johnston – for their commitment to this community.