As we enter the holiday season, and days grow dark, we turn our attention to things that bring light. You may find trivia appealing. As a municipal law firm, we are also interested in all things government. For your reading pleasure, we submit some mayoral trivia.
Who were the oldest and youngest mayors in the U.S.?
In Tinton Falls, New Jersey, WWII vet and mayor Vito Perillo is the oldest U.S. mayor. In 2021 he is 97 and in his second term. Residents “love” the pickleball courts he installed in a local park. A Booneville, Kentucky mayor, Charles Long, served as mayor for 60 years, from 1959-2019. He is believed to be the longest-serving mayor. He was born in 1919 and served as Booneville mayor until he died in 2019 at age 99.
The youngest mayor to date is John Tyler Hammons. He was elected mayor of Muskogee, Oklahoma in 2008. He was re-elected in 2010. He served until he was 23 in 2012. He went on to attain a law degree.
What is the average age of a U.S. mayor?
The age and diversity of our nation’s mayors is ever-changing. In 2021 the average age of U.S. mayors is 52.2, according to Zippia.com.
Where does the word “mayor” come from?
According to etymologists, mayor most likely comes from the French “maire.” Maire also means mayor, or chief magistrate, or head of a city or town government. This was derived from the Latin, maior, meaning greater or superior.
Who was the first U.S. mayor?
The first mayor of New York was Thomas Willet. He was born in Norfolk, England in 1610. He arrived at Plymouth Colony in 1629 and was appointed by Governor Richard Nicolls as mayor in 1665 for many reasons. One reason for his appointment was that he spoke fluent Dutch and could ease the transition from Dutch to English rule. This is documented online by the Historical Society of the New York Courts. Other well-known names of this era are John Carver (1584-1621), Plymouth Colony’s first governor, and William Bradford (1590-1657), his successor. Captain John Smith (1580-1631) was the British founder and leader of the Jamestown settlement.
Who is above the mayor of a city?
A mayor is the person who is elected to represent the city’s voters. The mayor is the executive head of the local government. The position can be volunteer or paid. A city manager a paid executive who is not a political figure. The city manager’s job is to keep operations running smoothly. A governor is the head of the executive branch of the state. The governor then, typically has more power than a mayor because of the larger geographical area (the entire state) that is controlled by this office.
