On Saturday, dozens of Gretna residents gathered at the entrance of the former Park Street Park to dedicate the park to the Florida Panhandle’s first African American mayor, Earnest O. Barkley Jr. of Gretna. Former Mayor Barkley was elected in December 1971 and served the Gretna community until May 2005. Current Gretna Mayor Anthony Baker said, “Mayor Barkley was an African American trailblazer who led Gretna to better economic opportunities which made Gretna a better place to live, work and play. While Barkley faced many challenges in leading Gretna, he stood strong and persevered.”
Special to The Herald
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