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by Juanita M. Elmore
Special to Tropical Breeze
You may have seen his name on one of the buildings here in Safety Harbor and wondered who he might be. You may have come across his name on the internet. The reason why this person is important in the City of Safety Harbor is probably one of the most overlooked and under-recognized in this town’s history.
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William L. Blackshear
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Hopefully, after reading this article, you will become more enlightened as to who this gentleman is. Mr. Blackshear was the first African American to run for public office in Safety Harbor, and the very first selected to serve on the city’s commission.
In the year 1964, when racial tensions were high and the era of segregation was in full stride, this man saw a need to serve his community and sacrificed countless hours away from his family to do so. He and his wife Betty lived in the modest community of Lincoln Highlands with their five children.
He was born in 1935 in Marianna, Florida to William Sr. and Julia Blackshear. In 1947, the family relocated to Safety Harbor. After graduation, he served in the Armed Forces for six years. He was married to his lovely wife Betty and to this union six children were born.
He was employed by General Electric at their Pinellas Peninsula Plant. His first public service was as president of the Lincoln Nursery Association. He then served as president of the Lincoln School PTA, and was also chairman of the Lincoln Highland Home Improvement Committee.
He was only 29 years old when he achieved the stunning victory, defeating three other white candidates for a city commission seat. After this victory, he was quoted as saying, “I don’t feel I have won a victory over anyone. I have been placed in a position of dignity and respect by the citizens and I will try faithfully to measure up to the dignity and trust of this position.”
In typical Blackshear style, he served the commission with class and grace. During his tenure, he fought hard to stabilize the city’s tax base, provide fair compensation for the purchase of private property by the city, improve area roads and communication equipment for fire and police departments, and helped to establish a master plan to handle future growth. During his term, he strove to provide fair and impartial service to all the residents.
While little was done to preserve his name in our city’s history books; his contributions to this small town will always be a part of Safety Harbor’s history.
When he moved away, he and Mr. Cleveland Johnson established and started a very influential newspaper, The Weekly Challenger. It was full of news about and for the African American community.
He served there for 34 years before retiring in January 31, 2002.
Mr. Blackshear now resides in Dunnellon, Florida with his wife, Betty.
I am proud to say that after submitting his name to the commission on November 3, 2008, the commission unanimously decided that it would be fitting to honor him as this year’s Grand Parade Marshal for the annual holiday parade, Saturday, Dec. 20.
His oldest son, Bruce, and grandson, Will, now live here in Safety Harbor. They will serve in his place at the Annual Christmas tree lighting to be held on Friday, Dec. 5, 2008.
Author's Note: Information for this article was compiled from the City of Safety Harbor City Clerk’s office, the St. Petersburg Times, and Black History notes from The Weekly Challenger.
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