2019-11-05 Ex Glades Gas 90th Birthday ProclamationOffice of the Mayor
Okeechobee, Florida
WHEREAS, Glades Gas Company is one of the oldest family businesses in Okeechobee celebrating its 9e
birthday on November 5, 2019; and
WHEREAS, Daniel B McCarthy, born in Spalding Nebraska, came to Okeechobee by train in 1915 and opened
his first store in 1916 on Park Street; and
WHEREAS, after World War I, Daniel (fondly known as Big Mac) fulfilled a need in Okeechobee for propane
powered refrigeration and started the propane company Glades Gas Company in 1929; and
WHEREAS, in 1946 Big Mac, with his son Daniel M., expanded his business by opening Glades Gas Company
in its current location at 804 North Parrott Avenue, and an office in Clewiston and Belle Glade,- and
WHEREAS, in 1957 Daniel M. signed a contract with General Electric to sell gas and electric appliances and
in 1965 became a Carrier Air Conditioning contractor; and
WHEREAS, after Daniel B. 's passing in 1963, John Douglas Cassels managed and expanded Glades Gas in
Okeechobee until his retirement in 1987; and
WHEREAS, in the 1980's three of Daniel M's children, Monica, Dennis and Kevin, purchased and managed
the three Glades Gas Company offices; and
WHEREAS, with the expansion of natural gas the propane locations in Clewiston and Okeechobee were sold
to Florida Public Utilities in 2013 and started doing business as Glades Air Conditioning; and
WHEREAS, the service provided by Glades Gas Company over the past 90 years will continue to have a
positive impact on our communities and its citizens.
NOW THEREFORE, I, Dowling R. Watford, Jr., Mayor of the City of Okeechobee, and on behalf of the City
Council of Okeechobee and the citizens of Okeechobee, honor Glades Gas Company on their 90'h
birthday.
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In witness whereof, on November 5, 2019, I have
set my hand and caused this seal to be affixed
Attest.
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Dowling R.
Lane Gasnio
r., Mayor
CMC, City Clerk