GORMLEY RECEIVES 2ND LEGACY AWARD FROM CITY OF MCMINNVILLE
He was mayor of McMinnville for 24 years, and tonight Ed Gormley received the second legacy award from the city of McMinnville. It was appropriate the award was given at the Kent Taylor Civic auditorium. Taylor was in the audience tonight as Gormely received his award. The Gormley-Taylor leadership team helped guide McMinnville through more than two decades of growth.
The Legacy award is given to someone who has given a lifetime of service to McMinnville. Last year the first award was given to local attorney Dave Haugeberg. This year the recipient was Ed Gormley.
His public service began in 1974 with an appointment to the Mac Planning Commission. In 1980 he was elected to the city council. In 1984 he began a 24-year, 6-term career as McMinnville’s mayor, ending in 2009
Current Mayor Scott Hill credits Gormley as a driving force behind many of the city’s largest projects including the water reclamation plant, sewage system improvements, the central fire station, the aquatic center, 80 acre sports park, the senior center, and the Mac Water and Light administrative offices.
He was also credited with helping pass the city’s first tax base since 1916. He helped start a city manager selection process and the practice of council goal setting.
He was credited with helping to expand volunteer services at the police, fire, and library. He helped start the downtown economic development district among other achievements.
In 1990, he and his wife started the McMinnville Charity Ball which raised will over a million dollars for the Kids on the Block after school program.
Ed Gormley’s wife Candy is featured in the phone. (left to right, Kent Taylor, Candy Gormley, Ed Gormley)
