OCOEE, Fla. — The second-longest running mayor in the state will retire at the end of the month.
Ocoee's longtime mayor, Scott Vandergrift, made the announcement Wednesday.
Vandergrift has held his seat two years longer than Ocoee City Hall has been standing.
In the 23 years he's been in charge, the city has more than tripled in size.
Raw: Ocoee mayor talks about retirement
"The biggest thrill I get out of being mayor is going through a neighborhood and have a kid yell, 'Hey mayor!'" said Vandergrift.
At age 75, Vandergrift has held steady in Ocoee politics for more than 20 years.
"There were only 12,000 people here of course. When I was born, there was only 500," he said.
Vandergrift said he is now focusing on his health.
"I'm going to about six to eight doctors to find out what's wrong with me. I don't walk well, breathe well, and a whole lot of other things well," said Vandergrift.
Vandergrift used handmade signs to sail through six campaigns and nine consecutive terms.
"Why do you think you've won every time?" asked reporter Karla Ray.
"It's done on looks," Vandergrift said, jovially.
That sense of humor complements his background in real estate and a drive to develop, leading Ocoee to a suburb of nearly 40,000.
But Vandergrift said his biggest accomplishment was adding schools and bringing back Ocoee High School, which reopened in 2005 after a 30-year closure.
"For the most part, it's been a joy," he said.
Even though the magnet will come down, his legacy is not going anywhere.
"I want to thank everyone who has supported me and those who didn't: good luck," said Vandergrift.
A date will be set for a special election to fill the Vandergrift's seat at the next commission meeting.
WFTV
