Former Jacksonville Mayor Hans Tanzler passed away today at the age of 86.
Tanzler served as mayor from 1967 to 1979. He was the last mayor under the old city-county system of government, and the first mayor of consolidated Jacksonville.
Former Mayor Tommy Hazouri remembers Tanzler as a man of vision and integrity.
“We were able to see great successes. And hopefully that will be his legacy for Jacksonville. Not just being the first mayor under consolidation, but being a mayor who set an example for anyone who would follow on how to lead this city and how to make a difference for the quality of life for all of us,” says Hazouri.
Tanzler will also be remembered as the mayor who cleaned up the St. Johns River…and then water skied on it.
In his statement regarding Tanzler's death, Mayor Alvin Brown said that he "was a tireless advocate for local education, public health, economic and downtown development and our treasured St. Johns River. We will always be grateful for his service to the great City of Jacksonville.”
