Biscayne Park commissioners met as a group for the last time on Nov. 3.

While two of the three commissioners whose terms will end are seeking reelection -- a third commission member is departing. The commissioner, Chester ``Doc'' Morris Day, was honored for his long service to the village.

The terms of Mayor John Hornbuckle, Commissioner Kelly Mallette and Morris end in December. Hornbuckle and Mallette are seeking reelection, but Morris decided not to run because he wanted to spend more time with his wife of nearly a half-century.

``This is the first time in my life I don't have anything going on every single week at night,'' Morris said.

At the meeting, commissioners proclaimed Nov. 3, 2009, ``Chester `Doc' Morris Day'' in the Village of Biscayne Park. That day also marked Morris' 47th wedding anniversary with his wife, Sandi Morris.

``What a thrill,'' Morris said. ``It was an absolute thrill. I never dreamed that they would do something like this.''

Hornbuckle said commissioners decided to dedicate the day to Morris for his 40 years as a village resident, for his four years as a commissioner and for his involvement in different committees and projects in the village.

``It was not just because of his service for the past four years. Doc Morris has lived in the village for 40 years, he's well-known in the community and he was a local doctor for many years, so I think his four years as a commissioner was just the icing on the cake,'' Hornbuckle said.

Morris retired as a gynecologist in 2005 when he was elected commissioner, and was part of the board in charge of rewriting the village's charter, which was approved in 2005.

The charter was rewritten mostly because it hadn't changed since 1933, so the Village had an old-fashioned form of government, Morris said.

Each commissioner was in charge of a specific department within the village and there was no village manager. With the new charter, the position of village manager was created.

During Morris' term, the village celebrated the groundbreaking for the new public works building and accumulated $1 million in the reserve account, according to village officials.

But commissioners had a surprise for Morris: They gave him the key to the city.

``What a surprise,'' he said. ``It's one of the nicest things that has ever happened to me. It almost brought tears to my eyes.''

Morris' family was also present during his last meeting as a public official. His wife, daughter, grandson and family friends watched him receive the key.

``We've been married for 47 years, and each year he only had two weeks off,'' Sandi Morris said. ``For the first time, we can go to dinner if we want.''

Although Morris plans on retiring from public office, he said he is willing to help the village whenever needed.

``I love the Park,'' he said. ``In anything that they require my services, I'll be more than glad to help them in any way I can. ``

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