Mr. Blount was born in Pomano, Florida (many years went by before it adopted the name Pompano Beach). He grew up in Broward County and was one of 4 children (2 boys & 2 girls). He went to the local public schools and graduated from Pompano High School with honors. He earned a degree in animal husbandry in college. He was married to Lois Hyde from Mississippi. He served four and one half years in the service of his country during World War II. He returned to this area and worked with his father and brother. He was elected to be mayor of Pompano in 1956. He inherited land in Northwest Broward County from his father and raised cattle.He conceived the unique people's city in 1959 and had it chartered in 1963.
The new city's name was PARKLAND!

Van E. Coggins was born in Silva, North Carolina. After high school graduation enlisted to serve in the U.S. Navy during World War II. In the service he became aware of Fort Lauderdale, and moved there after the war. He worked as a carpenter, learned the trade well, took an exam to become a residential bldg., contractor in Broward County. Married Lorretta Baily (a Broward County girl) Proud father of three children two girls and a boy. He built some of the first homes in Parkland including his beautiful ranch home. In 1964 he became the 2nd Mayor of Parkland. Aside from building, he became a cattle rancher and raised the beautiful Santa Gretrudes cattle. He took his cattle operation to Tennessee in 1970. The first commissioners meetings were held in his homes large Bar-B-Que Room.

Was born in New York, N.Y. in 1927. Went to public schools in Garden City Long Island for grade and high school, graduated. Volunteered to served in the Coast Guard during World War II. After the war he went into the three star restaurant business in Ft. Lauderdale with his father. Branched out into his own very successful catering company.

In 1949, he became licensed in Florida as a trainer and owner of Thoroughbreds in Parkland, Florida. Brought a home for his family to enjoy in the early years of incorporation. Because of his business acumen was appointed as the 3rd Mayor of Parkland in 1966. Retired in 1968, his horse venture required him to relocated several times. Retired from that environment in 1998 and still lives in an other area of Florida.

John was born in 1925 in the Boston Massachusetts area. Went to the local schools and graduated from high school there. From the time of early teens John a workaholic was known as a born salesman. His whole life was devoted to sales of some kind. After the war, moved to Florida, found the companion to spend the rest of his life with as a dad with three boys. Located Parkland in 1966. Had formed a Florida licensed insurance agency. Also had the privilege of acting as a control beverage agent for the state of Florida. Was selected to be the 4th mayor because of his abilities. His lady became the 2nd official city clerk Mr. Quigley died in February, 1972.

A highly successful industrialist and fish farmer, our archives contain a Fort Lauderdale news item that he was a hobby Aquarist and raised the walking catfish in his one acre pond behind his house located on 15 acres. He and his wife Dorothy move to the unincorporated area next to parkland from Lighthouse Point at the end of 1969 is the father of 4 children 3 girls and a boy. Originally from Minneapolis, Minn. the Mannings came to Florida in 1961. He was appointed as the 5th mayor of Parkland by the serving commissioners to fill the 1972 unexpired term of Mayor Quigley but did not run for reelection in November of 1972 because he was not a resident of the city. His portrait is a computer projection of what he looked like at that time.

Harold was established in 1926, born in the city of Chicago., III. Joined the Army Air Force after graduation in 1943. Served 30 months. Moved to Florida Christmas Day 1946…served electrical apprenticeship, studied other trades passed the tests and became licensed Electrical, and a General Contractor. Moved to Parkland in 1965 with his wife (a Broward County girl) and there 4 young children. Created Criterion Farms for Thoroughbred horses. Served city as first unpaid building inspector. Was selected to the commission, Ran for Mayor in 1972, was was elected 6th mayor because he promised to keep the legislators from abolishing. He saved the city.

Born in Oakland Park, FL in 1932 a daughter to the Dew family. Attended local grade school, graduated from Ft. Lauderdale High School in 1950. Married John M Gerren Jr, a civil engineer, later the Broward County Engineer. They had 3 children, 2 girls and a boy. They moved to Parkland in 1973. Becky was an admirable activist to contain lower density. She was elected as the 7th Mayor in 1978 and by coincidence presided over the only city commission in the state that was entirely comprised of women. She gets credit for having an election to revise and amend our Charter and have the Municipal code corporation of Tallahassee, Florida create the present code of ordinances used by the City of Parkland.

The first city owned City Hall was dedicated at 6500 Parkside drive during her administration and it has served on the Broward County Planning Council, represented Parkland on the Northwest Council of Mayors, and the Broward County Enviroment Coalition.

In 1987 she was appointed to the North Broward Hospital District Board of Directors where she was extremely involved in raising the funds necessary to open the Pediatric Care until at the Broward General Hospital. Sadly she expired in the year 2000. She served her community well and will be remembered for that.

Being researched...

Born in Force Pennsylvania in 1930. Attended grade school and graduated from technical stool in New Jersey. After graduating from school, served in the Navy Air Division until 1950. Married a Jacksonville lady named Dorothy. They have 5 children, 1 son and 4 daughters was a carpenter contractor till they moved to Ft. Lauderdale, Florida in 1955 moved to Parkland in 1968 with his family. Was one the first low density activist in the city. In 1980 organized a volunteer land planning council of citizens for input to the mayor and commissioners organized the first homeowners organization with of Parkland, Florida Mrs. Gerren the Mayor at that time.

Sal served on the newly formed code enforcement board. He was elected Mayor in 1988. Sal was a blessing for the growing society of Parkland and was at the right place at the right time. Servered his city well for 15 years. Attended dozens of meeting of the Broward County Planning Council, not always agreeing with them if it impacted the lifestyle of the City of Parkland. Oversaw the public hearings on the multitude of hearings held because of population growth, meeting often went into the early hours of the mornings with his commissioners. Sal has always displayed a civic love for the City of Parkland. That's why the City has his name on the new City Hall.

Born in New York City in 1939. Attended public schools on Long Island, after graduation studied at Syracuse university and graduated in 1961. Met his life partner there and they were wed in 1963.

They are parents of two sons. After schooling Bob proudly served his country in the Air Force National Guard reserve. Continued his studies and was certified a CPA in the state of New York in 1980. Moved to Florida in 1984, passed his CPA examination and was certified by Florida in 1984. Moved to Parkland in 1985. Because member of the Planning and Zoning committee in 1986.

Voted as a new commissioner in 1988, became vice mayor in 1989. Became a member of the Florida State League of cities, elected pres. in 1998 till 2004. Information gained on the state level he share with his mayor and commissioners that made this a city to be proud of. He loved his unique city of Parkland, worked hard, served honorably in other Broward community affairs representing Parkland.

He served with the Broward league of cities from 1995 through 2006. He served Parkland well, getting the school board to consider new schools in Parkland by being a member of the Broward School Facilitytask Force for 18 years. Served as vice Mayor for 15 years, 3 years as Mayor. For eighteen years he was dedicated to service to Parkland.