The Wellington Village Council honored longtime community leader Dr. Carmine Priore on Tuesday, Nov. 10 by adding his name to the Wellington Founder’s Plaque, acknowledging his many contributions to the development of the village.
The council established the Founder’s Plaque to recognize individuals who have made significant contributions to Wellington. Priore is the third member of the inaugural Wellington Village Council to be placed on the plaque this year, joining Tom Wenham and Kathy Foster.
Priore’s service to the Wellington community dates back to 1992 when he was elected to the Acme Improvement District Board of Supervisors, and he has served many roles through the years. He served as Acme’s president from 1994 to 1996, just before Wellington’s incorporation.
In 1996, Priore was elected to the inaugural Wellington Village Council and was re-elected in 2000. After stepping down briefly, he rejoined the council in 2004 and was re-elected in 2008, retiring in 2012. He remains the longest-serving member of the council in village history. During his tenure, he served as Wellington’s second mayor, from 1998 to 2000, back when the position was appointed from among the council members.
Priore’s influence reaches well beyond Wellington. He is a past president of the Palm Beach County League of Cities and was a member of the board of directors of the Florida League of Cities. In 2008, he served as president of the Florida League of Cities.
Even after his time on the council, Priore remained active in village affairs. He recently completed a two-year term on Wellington’s Planning, Zoning & Adjustment Board. This is in addition to his work with nonprofit organizations throughout the community.
Councilman John McGovern made the motion to approve Priore’s addition to the Founder’s Plaque, which was simultaneously seconded by, well, everyone.
Mayor Anne Gerwig thanked Priore for his decades of service. “Starting with getting the village incorporated,” she said. “I recently saw a binder that was worked with during that time, and the name Priore goes all through it.”
Councilman Michael Drahos said that he enjoys his conversations with Priore. “You are on a very short list of people I go to for advice,” he said. “I will always thank you for the contributions and the role you have played in my life and in this village.”
Councilman Michael Napoleone said that Priore’s name is noticeably absent from the Founder’s Plaque. “I am so glad we get to address this tonight,” he said.
McGovern noted that he recalls Priore from his years growing up in Wellington.
“Sometime in my life, in the early 1990s, what I remember about you is that you said, ‘The standard in service was to be in the community as often as possible,’ and to have a commitment not only to making rules and regulations, but having real service with Rotary, scholarships and more.”
Vice Mayor Tanya Siskind echoed the many compliments. “When I first joined the council, I saw you everywhere,” she said. “Your reputation precedes you. This is a long overdue, well-deserved honor.”
Gerwig thanked Priore for supporting her along the way in her political career.
“You encouraged and directed me because you understood every aspect of serving this village,” she said. “My life has been directly impacted because of your encouragement, your instruction and the model you have been. I thank you so much for what you have poured into this entire village of your life and your family’s life.”
Invited to the podium, Priore warned with a smile, “You never want to give me a microphone.”
Yet his comments were for the current administration and for retiring Village Manager Paul Schofield. He said that he is excited to see that Wellington is being carried forward with strong leadership. “I really appreciate the work you are doing,” he told the council.
Turning to Schofield, he thanked the manager for the years of hard work he has done. “I don’t know how the village will get along without you,” he said to Schofield, who answered, “They will do just fine.”
