LOOKING TO GET ON THE MERRY-GO-ROUND ?…….
Dear Readers …. who among us knew Town Managers in so many municipalities were on such a merry-go-round in losing their positions at the same time …And who knew that merry-go-round had so many of them just changing horses on the carousel… From the looks of it…it’s a familiar group of professionals who unlike their ardent Kool-aid drinking supporters know full well it’s a given in their chosen field… to climb on board and take a spin to be “Top Dog” in another Town or City ….
BC- more on Miami Lakes to come…
APRIL 20, 2010…. Miami Herald…
“Miami Lakes town manager resigns in order to keep pension The Miami Lakes town manager resigned Monday, prompting the Town Council to name the director of planning and zoning as interim manager. Frank Bocanegra, the town manager since January 2009, submitted his resignation, effective May 31, in order to keep state retirement benefits he accumulated during the past five years. The town’s director of planning and zoning, David Ofstein, will take over as interim town manager in June. The two top administrators are expected to work together during the transition. “I don’t think we’re going to miss a beat,” said Mayor Michael Pizzi. The new interim town manager already has two tasks from the Town Council: find $200,000 to cut from the budget and advertise for a full-time town manager. The post of town manager was Bocanegra’s first foray into municipal government. He previously worked as the town’s police commander with Miami-Dade police. The resignation came at a special town meeting Monday night, at which the Town Council was poised to consider giving the manager a one-month leave and then rehiring him in June. The move was designed to allow Bocanegra to comply with a state deferred retirement program, keep about $500,000 in accumulated benefits as well as his job with Miami Lakes. Instead Bocanegra submitted his resignation. “It was the best decision for me and my family,” he said. During the meeting, the mayor and several council members praised Bocanegra for his service to the town and viewed his resignation as a way for a clean, amicable break. The Town Council voted 6-1 to pay Bocanegra a $58,000 severance package, including $8,000 for sick leave and vacation pay. “I’m not sitting next to a stranger. . . . I’m sitting next to someone who has served our community honorably,” said Councilman Richard Pulido, who called the severance package a “financial wash.” The town attorney, Mitch Bierman, said the town would have to contribute more than $50,000 to Bocanegra’s retirement under the state deferred retirement program if the manager continued working. Councilwoman Nancy Simon opposed the severance package. “We’re giving away $58,000 for free,” Simon said as she cast the lone dissenting vote. Earlier in the meeting, Simon said the contract between the manager and the town does not grant a severance package or payment for accrued leave if the manager resigns with less than 60 days notice. “There was no reason to give anyone a golden parachute,” said Simon, who also questioned the timing of the issue. Bocanegra will be eligible to reapply for the post of town manager. He told The Miami Herald is considering joining the private sector as a lawyer. Bocanegra, 56, was hired as the town manager of Miami Lakes in January 2009 with a starting base salary of $165,000. His current annual salary is about $168,000. Bocanegra is a graduate of Nova Southeastern University’s law school and worked as a police officer for 33 years, including three years with the Hialeah police. In 2005, Bocanegra entered the Florida Retirement System’s Deferred Retirement Option Program, also known as DROP. The program allows participants to accumulate their benefits and grow them at a compounded monthly interest for up to five years while they are still employed. When the five-year period ends, the participants have to end their unemployment. If not, they forfeit their benefits. For Bocanegra, that five-year period is up May 31. To keep his benefits from the past five years, Bocanegra has to retire for at least a month by at the end of the period. miami lakes, fl.”
http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/04/20/1588503/miami-lakes-town-manager-resigns.html
…………………
APRIL 13, 2010…Miami Herald…
“North Bay Village city manager fired, vice mayor demoted He packed his briefcase and headed for the door, now as the former city manager of North Bay Village. Matthew Schwartz was fired in a 3-2 vote by the North Bay Village city commission in a tumultuous meeting Tuesday night. The termination comes after months of failed motions to get rid of the manager, who has been accused of micromanaging the city’s troubled police department. Schwartz grabbed the microphone before leaving the meeting. “I wish you a lot of luck,” he said. The motion to fire the city manager was made by commissioner Reinaldo Trujillo, who was demoted from his position as vice mayor during the meeting. Trujillo and George Kane shuffled seats mid-meeting, so Kane could take up his new spot as vice mayor. The crowd booed the motion, made by commissioner Frank Rodriguez, to demote Trujillo. Schwartz has suggested he may file a lawsuit against the city.
http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/04/13/1578212/north-bay-village-city-manager.html
OTHERS…
Hallandale as we speak is going to call a special meeting…to remove their Town Manager…
Homestead terminated their TM in Feb.
Deerfield terminated their TM in Jan.
And so and so on and son…round and round they go…where the Town Managers stop…we do not know…
more to come…
Tags: Lauderdale By The Sea Town Manager Colon Had Company, local government, Local Politics, News, Scoops, Web News
