Freaney Sworn in as New Mayor
Published on November 19, 2024
The City of Dunedin welcomed new elected leadership as Maureen "Moe" Freaney was sworn in as Mayor, alongside newly elected Commissioners Tom Dugard (Seat 1) and Steven Sandbergen (Seat 3) on Monday, November 18, at Dunedin City Hall, 737 Louden Ave.
Outgoing Mayor Julie Ward Bujalski and Commissioner John Tornga, were also recognized for their significant contributions and leadership to the Dunedin community.
Mayor Julie Ward Bujalski was first elected to the Dunedin City Commission in April 2006, serving two terms as Vice Mayor and three terms as Mayor since November 2014. During her 18 years of service, Bujalski played a key role in securing a 25-year contract with the Toronto Blue Jays to keep Dunedin as their spring training home, resulting in the development of TD Park and the nation’s largest Player Development Complex.
In 2021, Bujalski led efforts to preserve the 44-acre Gladys Douglas Preserve and 80 acres of surrounding wetlands. Through collaboration and fundraising, including contributions from over 1,100 private donors, $10 million was raised to permanently conserve this land as public green space. Additionally, Bujalski’s tenure saw essential partnerships for local transit initiatives, such as the Jolley Trolley North Coastal Route, the Clearwater Ferry Service Blue Line to Dunedin, and expanded access to Honeymoon Island.
Bujalski also guided the community through five hurricanes, the COVID-19 pandemic, and business recovery efforts, including outdoor dining initiatives and fulfilling the 20+-year plan to build a new Dunedin City Hall. Her work to improve city infrastructure included traffic improvements on Skinner Boulevard and Edgewater Drive, as well as collaboration on the design of the new Dunedin Causeway Bridge.
Outgoing Commissioner John Tornga has also been an active community leader. He was elected to the Commission in 2014 and again in 2020, he served as Vice Mayor twice, most recently in 2022, and has contributed to key city projects, including a significant role in ensuring that the Sheriff’s Office remained in Dunedin, and in the formation of the US Military Veterans Committee.
Tornga has served on various Dunedin Boards and Committees including as the Chair of the Board of Finance, the Community Redevelopment Area Advisory Committee, Chair of the Waterfront Task Force, the Dunedin Council of Organizations and on the Safety Committee.
In addition, voters approved all four proposed charter amendments on the ballot.
Approximately 200 people attended the Swearing-In Ceremony as opportunity to meet the new leadership and recognize the service of outgoing officials. The ceremony was also livestreamed and is available on demand here