MUSKOGEE, Okla. — The outgoing Muskogee mayor's last day in office is April 9.
Elected leaders are usually mocked for being"lame duck" during their final days in office, but Marlon Coleman went out with a special final act — or acts.
Coleman became Muskogee's first Black mayor in 2020, and he said he wants to leave a legacy of care for children — by giving area kids the chance to have their very own day.
WATCH: 2 News talked to Coleman about his legacy in February:
His successor is now-former City Councilor Patrick Cale, who won February's election in a landslide.
“Leaving today and doing what I’m doing to help young families and young people is a bittersweet moment," he told 2 News, "but I’m happy to do it.”
Coleman spent his final hours in office on Tuesday morning, issuing proclamations for every April 9 to be in the name of each child who came to the Muskogee Civic Center that morning before school.
The outgoing mayor said this is his final act, as his successor took over at 9 a.m. Coleman met with kids and gave them proclamations until the very last minute — at 8:59am.
“I also hope they take the day after the eclipse and remember that in the City of Muskogee," he told us, "the mayor took the time to say, ‘Hey, I’m gonna give you a day, so that you can feel special in Muskogee.’”
"Every little second or minute I can squeeze in to be certain that we recognize kids," Coleman also said, "I’m happy to do that today.”
In a Facebook post, he said he's doing this to "leave a legacy of care for children that Muskogee loves them and wants them to be great."
When all was said and done, Coleman told 2 News 97 kids came by, each taking home their official decrees that were emblazoned with a golden seal.
“April 9th is your day in the City of Muskogee," he told a group of kids with their proclamations, "forever and ever and ever. Don’t lose it.”
When asked about his future, Coleman replied, “I’m gonna be around. I don’t have any permanent plans yet. I’m definitely gonna stay in Muskogee and do what I can to help the current administration keep moving the city forward.”
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