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Hometown
Hero^
Dorothy Geeben, the
mayor of Ocean Breeze Rark, Fla. (pop. 463),
stands in the entryway of Jensen Beach
Christian Church, greeting the 30 or so
members of the congregation as they arrive
for Sunday service.
“Good morning. How are you today?"
says Greeben, the church's treasurer and
organist, flashing her non-stop grin and
hugging friends and neighbors.
It’s hard to image that three years ago
the little church had no pastor and only four
members. Logic called for abandoning the
church and finding another place to wor
ship, but Geeben refused. Each week she
continued to show up, often praying by her
self Eventually, she found a minister, hired
him and the congregation grew.
Single-handedly rescuing a church is
one example of Geeben's spunk. Being
elected mayor that same year is another.
And, both accomplishments came as
Geeben turned 94.
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Mayor
Dorothy
Now 97, she's believed tn be the oldest
mayor in the country. “We keep informa
tion on our membership only, not all may
ors,” explains Elena Temple, spokesperson
for the U.S. Conference of Mayors. With
that caveat, her organizations oldest city
leader is a mere 82.
Mayor Dorothy—as everyone in town
calls her —moved from lowa to Ocean
Breeze Rark with her first husband in 1952.
The retirement community, dubbed the
“town on wheels" because all residents live
in mobile homes, is located along Florida's
eastern coast, three miles north of Stuart,
Fla. (pop. 14,633).
Twice-widowed, Geeben served as presi
dent of the town council for 31 years before
she cook over as mayor with the death of
her predecessor in 2001. Geeben first ran for
mayor in 2JX)2, and last year was re-elected
to another two-year term.
“She's been here so long, she's a per
manent fixture,” says town Clerk Shanxi
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At 97, Dorothy Geeben of Ocean Breeze Park, is believed to be the nation's oldest mayor.
Chicky. “She had no opposition during
both elect kxis because everyone's com
pletely happy with her.”
Geeben receives no pay, but her may
oral duties are fairly light She attends
monthly town council meetings and signs
correspondence and checks. Still, Chicky
says, “Dorothy is a bona-fide mayor, it's
just that we are very small scale."
“I get complaints, but I just pass them
along,” explains Geeben, ever the diplo
mat. Her advice to anyone considering
public office is simple: “Like people, listen
to them, and be honest in your dealings
with them."
“She’s a real trooper,” says her pastor,
Gary Landsbetg. “She’s very loving and
her heart goes out to people.’’
Last year, as Hurricane Frances headed
toward Ocean Breeze Park, Geeben evac
uated, then returned to find her home
damaged. But, says fellow parishioner
Jim Flacker, “she had more compassion
for exhers than she worried about herself
And, he adds, “If she's not doing some
thing for the church, she’s going here,
going there. She's always busy.”
“I really don't have much rime to sit
down and do nothing," says the happy
go-lucky Geeben, who teaches a crafts
class, plays cards and bingo, and regularly
goes out to eat with friends. She does use a
walker, but still drives slxxt distances and
does her own housekeeping and cooking.
She maintains her health by taking her
blood pressure medication daily, along
with two teaspoons of vinegar and honey.
Geeben has no family nearby’, but son,
John, who lives in Marion, lowa, calls
once a week to bring her up to date on her
two grandchildren, seven great-grand
children and one great-great grandson.
Needless to say, the elderly mayor has
garnered plenty of media attention. Jay
Leno even called inviting her to appear on
The Tonight Shou , but she declined. “Now
that she’s famous, I give her a hard rime,"
Landsbetg says, “I say, ‘You better watch
out for the paparazzi.' Of course, she just
laughs and cakes it in stride.”
Taking things in stride is Geeben's
credo, and to stay active is the reason she’s
served all these years. Will she seek re
election in 2006? Without hesitation she
answers, “If I’m alive.” 7^
Veda Eddy is a freelance uriter in The
Villages. Fla.
Playing the
church organ.
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