John M. Coyne

John M. Coyne Sr. (November 11, 1916 – July 21, 2014) was the mayor of Brooklyn, Ohio from 1948 to 1999. Coyne held the record for the longest consecutive term of any mayor in United States at the time he left office. Coyne continued to reside in the city. He was reportedly responsible for the country's first seat belt (in 1966)[1] and mobile phone laws for motorists,[2] bringing notoriety to Brooklyn. In Brooklyn, police stopped 150 cars the first six months of the ordinance, letting drivers off with warnings. After that, minimal fines were imposed, with Coyne quoted as saying, "...because the worst thing you can do is give the impression that you're socking them for taxation."[2]

John M. Coyne
Mayor of Brooklyn, Ohio
In office
1948–1999
Treasurer of Brooklyn, Ohio
In office
1944–1946
Personal details
Born(1916-11-11)November 11, 1916
Brooklyn, Ohio, U.S.
DiedJuly 21, 2014(2014-07-21) (aged 97)
Brooklyn, Ohio, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic Party
SpouseRuth Coyne (deceased)

Coyne died in Brooklyn, Ohio from natural causes, aged 97.[3]

Awards and Distinctions

His awards include:

  • Doctor of Humane Letters
  • John M. and Ruth Jean Coyne-Endowed Public Service Scholarship (1997)
  • Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs, Cleveland State University,
  • Honorary Director and Player of the Year (1995),
  • USA Toy Library Association,
  • Party Chairman, Cuyahoga County Democratic Party (1982–93), 13th Largest County in the U.S; Five Consecutive Terms.
  • Board Member (1990–91), Cuyahoga County Board of Elections,
  • Hall of Fame Inductee (1987), Brooklyn High School,
  • Board Member (1972–87), Deacones Hospital Board of Trustees.
  • Ohio Supreme Court, Citizens Member of Rules Advisory Committee (1982–85), Appointed by Chief Justice Frank D. Celebrezze,
  • Irish Good Fellowship Club Award (1984),
  • Man of the Year (1983), Waterford Society,
  • Regional Transit Authority (1981–82), Suburban Representative for Greater Cleveland on Board of Trustees.
  • First Recipient of the Ernest J. Bohn Award (1997),
  • N.E. Ohio Chapter of the American Society for Public Administration for Outstanding Execution of Public Business.
  • President (1959–60), Cuyahoga County Mayors and City Managers Association.

Other Achievements

Coyne pioneered legislation positioning Brooklyn, Ohio as the vanguard of public safety initiatives: the 1998 cell phone law restricted use of hand-held cell phones while driving. His 1989 Assault Weapons Ban and Mandatory Waiting Period laws prohibited the possession of certain assault weapons and mandated a ten-day waiting period for gun sale transactions.

Legacy

Coyne has a recreation center in his name, the "John M. Coyne Recreation Center," located in Brooklyn, Ohio.

References
  1. "Cleveland suburb on the right track with a ban on cell phone use in car - Atlanta Business Chronicle". Atlanta.bizjournals.com. 1999-10-18. Retrieved 2013-05-07.
  2. agency Associated Press (1999-03-30). "Phoning While Driving Is Curbed in Ohio Town". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2013-05-07.
  3. "John M. Coyne, Sr., Brooklyn mayor for 52 years: Obituary". Cleveland.com. Retrieved July 22, 2014.
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