- January 26, 2025
Loading
In the early moments of the Jan. 21 Sarasota City Commission meeting, Mayor Liz Alpert read an official proclamation in remembrance of Clifford Smith, the city’s longtime historic preservation planner, who died Dec. 10, 2024, at age 69.
The Nantucket, Massachusetts native, joined the city in January 2007 and since had worked with residents and organizations to preserve historic properties throughout the city.
The proclamation read:
“Whereas, on the 10th day of December 2024, the life of Dr. Clifford E. Smith Jr. came to a close, and it is fitting that the City Commission, duly assembled, pauses to observe the passing of a dedicated public servant of our community; and
“Whereas, Dr. Smith joined the City of Sarasota as its historic preservation planner and served honorably, demonstrating a true passion for historic preservation and the historic resources of the city, since January 8, 2007; and
“Whereas, Dr. Smith served the city with brilliance, was a highly regarded and dedicated professional, as well as a loving husband and father of six children; and
“Whereas, Dr. Smith's desire to help people was unsurpassed, leading him to assist thousands of citizens with their historic homes and properties, always taking into consideration what was best for both them and the city.
“Now therefore, the City Commission of the City of Sarasota, on behalf of the citizens of our community, shares in the Smith family's sorrow as we come together to honor and pay our respects to the memory of Dr. Clifford E. Smith Jr.”
The moment did not pass without comment from his supervisor, Planning Director Steven Cover, as well as Vickie Oldham of the Sarasota African American Cultural Coalition and former Mayor and Commissioner Willie Shaw.
“He wound up in Sarasota, and that was a real gift to the city,” said Cover. “Dr. Cliff was a brilliant man, a brilliant father, a brilliant member of our staff and a brilliant friend, and I just was just happy that I had an opportunity to spend eight years with him.”
“Dr. Clifford Smith laid the foundation and directed the project that has transformed our Newtown community. It had to be somebody like him who cared about everybody's history to lead us,” Oldham said of his efforts to have Newtown listed on the National Register of Historic Places. “His commitment is causing residents and visitors to take another look at our community through the lens of its powerful history. … He understood how to get a project past the red tape here at City Hall.”
Added Shaw, “We cannot thank him enough. We thank God for blessing us with him and we thank you, the family, for letting us share him with you. We truly appreciate it.”