(8/14) Mayor Kinnaird announced at the Town Council's August 4 meeting that Commissioner Marty Burns has been inducted into the Maryland Municipal League's (MML) Municipal Officials Hall of Fame.
Kinnaird presented Burns with the certificate denoting the recognition that read, "In recognition of long exemplary service rendered as an elected official in a member municipality, Martin Burns is hereby inducted into the Maryland Municipal League's Municipal Officials Hall of Fame."
The Mayor noted that it was he who had nominated Burns for the honor, which was to have been presented during the MML conference in Ocean City. However, because of COVID, the conference was not held. The MML is a non-partisan association consisting of representatives from 157 Maryland municipalities.
Frederick County Executive Jan Gardner also issued a proclamation proclaiming August 4, as Martin Burns Day, in recognition of the contribution he has made as an elected official.
Gardner noted that Burns' accomplished many notable achievements, including creating the Charter Review Committee, approved a new town charter, oversaw the construction of a new police building, and was a driving force behind the establishment of the Thurmont Addiction Commission. During Burns' tenure, Thurmont also achieved Main Street Community designation.
In attendance at the presentation was past MML President Jake Romanell, who said elected municipal officials who have served 20 years or more qualify for inclusion in the association's hall of fame.
Romanell stated, "What does this award say about Marty? It says Marty loves Thurmont, and its residents, his neighbors," adding, "(his) motivation is never to be questioned. During his many years of public service, Marty's motivation has been the same... to represent and defend the best interests of the people he so proudly serves."
A number of staff and other elected officials also left complimentary comments for the record.
Burns' family was in attendance for the honorarium presentation as well, and when the mayor solicited comments from them. one member could be heard to say, "Well, we're happy for you. and now we want to go for ice cream," eliciting some laughter from the attendees and board.
Burns has served on the board of commissioners since 1999, or as Kinnaird jokingly noted, "at the end of the last century." Burns also served three terms as Mayor.
