Serving Highland Beach and Coastal Boca Raton
June 2018
Volume 11 Issue 6
Boca Raton
With plea of not guilty, Haynie seeks dismissal or trial
By Mary Hladky Suspended Mayor Susan Haynie has pleaded not guilty to state corruption charges and her attorney has asked that the charges be tossed out. Bruce Zimet, Haynie’s new criminal defense attorney, Haynie contended in a motion filed May 18 that the criminal charges against her are
INSIDE: Amid financial questions, Zucaro runs for mayor, page 10 At least four seek open council seat, page 10 flawed and must be dismissed, although the pleading notes that prosecutors can amend the charging document. No hearing on the motion had been scheduled as of late May. Haynie and Zimet, who
replaced Leonard Feuer as her attorney, did not comment on Haynie’s plea and demand for a trial. Haynie previously has denied the allegations against her. Her unexpected arrest set into motion the elevation of Deputy Mayor Scott Singer to the top job and an Aug. 28 special election to elect a mayor who will serve until the end of Haynie’s term of office in March 2020 — unless Haynie prevails in her legal case — and to fill Singer’s seat on the Boca
Raton City Council. Haynie, a fixture in city politics for the past 18 years, was arrested on four felony and three misdemeanor charges, including official misconduct, perjury in an official proceeding, misuse of public office, corrupt misuse of public office and failure to disclose voting conflict. She faces more than 20 years in prison. Gov. Rick Scott suspended her from office and she withdrew from the District 4 Palm Beach County
Memorial Day
Commission race. Prosecutors contend Haynie used her position on the City Council to vote on four matters that financially benefited James Batmasian, the city’s largest downtown commercial landowner, and failed to disclose income she received from him. The investigation by the Palm Beach County State Attorney’s Office public corruption unit alleges Haynie See HAYNIE on page 11
Highland Beach
Frequent turnover of managers comes with hefty cost By Rich Pollack
ABOVE: Members of the Boca Raton Police and Fire Honor Guard pause amid silence during the Memorial Day ceremony at the Boca Raton Cemetery. The May 28 event featured veterans groups, city officials and drills by Boca Raton Community High School’s Navy Junior ROTC. LEFT: Korean War veteran Larry Boyden and Louise Cammorata applaud to honor the lives of fallen service members. Photos by Tim Stepien/ The Coastal Star
By forcing out three town managers in about three years, Highland Beach faces costs — in dollars and in stability — for the high turnover in its top executive position. Since January 2015, when Kathleen Weiser agreed to step down after learning she no longer had support from the majority of commissioners, Highland Beach has paid out an estimated $225,000 in severance packages to Weiser, Beverly Brown and Valerie Oakes, who was fired early last month. In 2012, Highland Beach spent $215,000 to settle a lawsuit with former Town Manager Dale Sugerman, who claimed the town refused to pay him severance when commissioners did not renew his contract. Sugerman had previously been suspended — with pay — for five months. People who work with government leaders say high turnover among managers can also have an impact on overall operations of counties, cities and See MANAGERS on page 12
Royal wedding watch Viewers don fascinators and top hats to watch Prince Harry get married. Page 17
A look at #MeToo
Young actors discuss impact of movement on budding careers. Page AT5
Father Knows Best
Local dads pay tribute to the men who raised them. Page AT1