FLAGLER

Farewell reception set for Palm Coast’s first mayor

Staff Report
Palm Coast's first mayor, Jim Canfield, left, with current Mayor Milissa Holland and former mayor Jon Netts during a Palm Coast Founder's Day celebration in 2016. Canfield will be honored Friday at a City Hall ceremony. [News-Tribune file]

Palm Coast’s first mayor, James V. Canfield, will soon be relocating to Maryland to be closer to his family, and the public is invited to a celebratory send-off set for 2 to 4 p.m. Friday at Palm Coast City Hall, 160 Lake Ave..

Canfield’s friends and colleagues will share memories and make presentations and the formal program will begin at 3 p.m., according to a city media release. Members of the public will also have an opportunity to share memories and well wishes. 

Several organizations in which Canfield has been involved during his nearly 30 years in Palm Coast are presenting the reception. They include Friends of Golf and Tennis, the Irish Social Club, the Palm Coast Elks Lodge, the Palm Coast Historical Society and Sludgehammers Golf. 

Canfield retired to Palm Coast from his home state of New York in 1989 following a career as a teacher, principal and superintendent in the New York City school system. He was instrumental in directing a grassroots Home Rule Coalition that led to the city’s 1999 incorporation.

During his seven-year tenure as mayor, Canfield helped manage unprecedented growth in the city. Palm Coast was the fastest-growing small city in the nation by percentage in 2006.

Over the years, Canfield has remained active in many civic organizations and is a regular at community events.