Feature Story & Photos By: Larry H. Oskin
Tim Murry, a life-long resident of Clermont, ran for the office of Clermont mayor, bringing a wealth of life experiences and knowledge to share with his community.
Mayor Murry was elected to office in November 2020, proudly holding the distinction of being the first Black Mayor of Clermont. He is the fifth child of twelve siblings, attended Lincoln Park Elementary School, graduated from Clermont High School in 1972, and went on to attend Florida A&M University. He earned a Master of Business Administration from the University of Phoenix and notes, “I am still learning!”
Murry is proud to still be living in the Lincoln Park neighborhood, where he grew up. As a 
teen, he first worked at the Citrus Tower cleaning the original restaurant and gift shop seven nights a week for only $1 per evening. He is now 66 years old and married to Kassier Kyler-Murry of Ocala. Murry has three children Timothy II, Tiffany Murry and 15-year-old daughter, Karissa Merchant.
Military Background: In 1975, Murry joined the United States Air Force where he served for nearly 23 years before retiring in 1998. During Desert Storm, he assumed the leadership position of a 24/7 operation that was responsible for the morale, welfare and recreation of the 1,200 troops assigned to the war zone in Doha, Qatar. His success during Desert Storm earned him an Achievement Medal to accompany many other awards and decorations to include Commendation and Meritorious Service medals, NCO of the Year, NCO of the Quarter, and Athletic Director of the year for Tactical Air Command.
Murry is a proud US Air Force and Gulf War Veteran that served his country with honor and distinction. Murry adds, “Thanks to my successful years in the US Air Force, I have a good sound sense of responsibility while dealing with multi-million-dollar budgets and construction and renovation projects that will be beneficial to Clermont.”
Career Experiences: Murry retired from the US Air Force in 1998 and returned to Central Florida and began working for the US Postal Service where he remained for 21 years. He purchased a home in the same neighborhood he grew up in and began making good on a childhood promise to give back and making a difference in the Clermont community.
Murry is one of the founders and current president of the non-profit organization Christian Men in Action that focuses on mentoring young men in our Clermont and South Lake area communities. With a high crime rate and drugs in the community, he hosted a series of Town Hall meetings that hundreds of residents attended to voice their issues and concerns to the Mayor, Chief of Police and City Manager. Evaluating the comments and inputs during the Town Hall Meetings, Murry personally took on the community responsibility of successfully initiating and opening a Boys and Girls Club here in Clermont.
South Lake Community Activities: Murry has always been a highly active supporter to help the city, community and political efforts. He served on the Clermont Planning & Zoning Board, South Lake Boys & Girls Club Advisory Board, Lincoln Park Community Impact Committee, Vice-President of Lincoln Park South Lake Alliance and Vice-Chair of New Jacob’s Chapel Missionary Baptist Church Board of Trustees. He also served on Clermont’s Code Enforcement Board, Citizens Advisory Task Force for Community Development Block Grant, Chaired East Ridge Middle School Student Advisory Committee and as President of South Lake Democratic Club for six years. If that isn’t enough to keep him busy, he is a member of Lake County Democratic Black Caucus, the South Lake Black Achievers, Veterans of Foreign Wars and a Florida Notary.
Short & Long-Term Plans as Clermont Mayor: Murry’s original campaign platform primarily involves three key initiatives. First, help create affordable workforce housing to support the local service industries. Second, help raise living wages for the working Clermont residents. Third, as a huge supporter of local Clermont protection agencies, he wants to make sure the community remains protected and safe, by supporting local police and fire departments and the County Sheriff’s office.
“We need to keep Clermont a safe growing community”, says the Mayor.”I believe we must provide the needed support and full funding to our community police”, he exclaims. “I am proud of Police Chief Broadway and want to support and work with the Clermont Police to help create more interactive community events for our residents. For the safety of our citizens, I want to help our Fire Chief David Ezell keep the entire Clermont Fire Department proudly respected as one of the ‘Top Ten’ in the United States.”
Now as Mayor, Murry wants to initiate Clermont Citizen Advisory Committees to solicit more interactive feedback and involvement from our citizens. “We need a strong Security Awareness Program with more involvement from our community service groups”, he says.
Mayor Murry notes, “I am very proud to be the first Black Mayor!” Clermont is a diverse, multicultural community and Mayor Murry is hoping everyone recognizes and celebrates diversity. He wants to spread awareness of occasions, seasons and holidays celebrated in the community by diverse groups including religions, nationalities, cultures and age groups. Education and Awareness will help unify the community and end divisiveness, racism and anti-Semitism. To that end, he is hoping to bring a Diversity Awareness Day Celebration to Clermont. This diverse celebration will share traditions, customs, music, dance, sports, entertainment, theatre, food and the arts.
As the Mayor of Clermont, Murry said he wants to be the voice representing all residents. He wants to enhance the city’s quality of life, improve public safety, provide fiscally responsible leadership and give special priority to youth.
Murry expressed the need to provide more and better programs for the community’s youth. He would like to see additional advanced educational opportunities; youth clubs, organizations, activities, entertainment, athletic activities, and facilities. One project currently under consideration is a Community Center which is presently the site of the existing Clermont Elementary School.
Murry is acutely aware of the traffic challenges on Hancock and Hartwood Marsh Roads, as well as a few other growing high traffic areas. He and the council are examining better and safer roadways, traffic crossings and streetlights.
As a proud Clermont native, Murry is proud and protective of his hometown and declares that as Clermont grows and changes, preserving the history of Clermont is very important.
