Susan Whelchel
Susan Whelchel | |
|---|---|
| Mayor of Boca Raton, Florida | |
| Assumed office April 2008 | |
| Preceded by | Steven L. Abrams |
| Personal details | |
| Spouse | John |
| Children | Four |
Susan Whelchel (born ?) is an American politician and former teacher. She is currently serving her second term as the Mayor of the city of Boca Raton, Florida.[1][2]
Whelchel received a Bachelor of Science from Jacksonville University.[3] She is a former teacher.[1] Before becoming mayor, Whelchel served on the Boca Raton city council, a member of the Community Redevelopment Agency, a and member of the local school board.[1]
Whelchel was elected Mayor of Boca Raton in 2008 unopposed, succeeding outgoing Mayor Steven L. Abrams.[1] She took office in April 2008.[1]
Initially, it appeared that Whelchel would again run for re-election unopposed in 2011, but a second candidate, Linda Spurling Gruneisen, filed to run just before the deadline.[1] Whelchel defeated Spurling Gruneisen by a nine to one margin in the mayoral election held on May 8, 2011, to win a second, three-year term.[1][2] Whelchel received 3,903 votes (85.37%), while Spurling Gruneisen garnered 669 votes (14.63%).[3]
Under Whelchel, Boca Raton has installed red light cameras, as well as the city's first parking meters.[1] She has advocated for the use of green technology in building construction.[1] She has opposed tax increases and advocated for cuts to city spending.[1] During her second term, Whelchel promised to focus on job creation and the revitalization of downtown Boca Raton.[2]
Whelchel is scheduled to leave office on March 2014, as term limits limited Boca Raton's mayor to two terms of three years.[1] The next mayoral election to succeed Whelchel will be held on March 11, 2014. Deputy Mayor Susan Haynie has filed to run in the forthcoming election.
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k King, Dale M. (2011-03-19). "Susan Whelchel retains Boca mayoral seat in landslide city election victory". Boca Raton Tribune. Retrieved 2013-07-14. Cite error: The named reference "brtimes" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
- ^ a b c Herrera, Maria (2011-03-08). "Whelchel easily defeats political newcomer to retain Boca mayor's post". Sun Sentinel. Retrieved 2013-07-14.
- ^ a b Hartz-Seeley, Deborah (2011-03-08). "Boca Raton Election: Mayor's race". The Coastal Star. Retrieved 2013-07-14.