- April 19, 2024
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Palm Coast Mayor Milissa Holland. File photo
Milissa Holland, third from the left, was honored by the Palm Coast Elks at a reception held Feb. 18. Courtesy photo
Milissa Holland, mayor of Palm Coast, has been honored by the Palm Coast Elks Lodge 2079 as its Citizen of the Year for 2016-2017.
Holland, who was elected the first female mayor of the city in August 2016, was selected by the membership for the Elks' Distinguished Citizenship Award for exemplifying "outstanding and meritorious service to humanity."
She was honored at a reception Feb. 18 held at the lodge at 53 Old Kings Road. The award was presented by Elks president Vincent Gough Jr.
Holland said she was "humbled and honored at the same time" to be singled out for the distinction.
A longtime Palm Coast resident, Holland began her career in public service about a decade ago, following in the footsteps of her father, the late Jim Holland, one of the original founders of Palm Coast.
"His example has actually driven me to where I am today," Holland told The Palm Coast Observer.
The first female County Commissioner in Flagler, Holland served for six years (two as chair) on the commission before being elected mayor last August. She prides her leadership skills on her ability to listen to citizens and regularly gets out in the community to directly solicit their opinions.
"It really shapes how I approach issues and the needs of the community," said Holland.
Looking ahead to the rest of her four-year term, just a few of the priorities Holland is focusing on include fiscal responsibility, quality of life, business growth and environmental protection.
