The Florida League of Cities recently recognized Fort Walton Beach City Manager Michael Beedie with a 2021 Home Rule Hero Award for his hard work and advocacy efforts during the 2021 Legislative Session.

According to a press release, Beedie and other honorees worked “tirelessly throughout the Session to promote local voices making local choices, protect the Home Rule powers of Florida’s municipalities and advance the League’s legislative agenda.”

“Our partnership with the Florida League of Cities is invaluable when it comes to working with state lawmakers to protect the rights and powers of our cities,” said Beedie. “Fort Walton Beach is positioned to have a very bright future. To stay on this track, we must not lose our ability to make decisions that are best for us.”

Beedie has been the city manager of Fort Walton Beach for nine years and is also the legislative chair for the Northwest Florida League of Cities.

For those unfamiliar, Home Rule is the ability for a city to address local problems with local solutions with minimal state interference.

• Home Rule Hero Award recipients are local government officials, both elected and non-elected, who consistently responded to the League’s request to reach out to members of the Legislature and help give a local perspective on an issue.

“Michael went above and beyond during the 2021 Legislative Session,” said Florida League of Cities Director of Legislative Affairs Casey Cook. “He made an extraordinary effort, was actively engaged and highly effective in his advocacy efforts. Even with all the various challenges present this year because of the pandemic, he stepped up. Michael engaged with legislators, shared his stories and made his voice heard, and it made a difference.”