Susan_Whelchel

Susan Whelchel

Susan Whelchel

American politician (1944–2022)

Susan Whelchel (August 13, 1944 – August 5, 2022)[1] was an American politician and teacher. She served two terms as the Mayor of the city of Boca Raton, Florida, from 2008 until 2014.[2][3]

Quick Facts Mayor of Boca Raton, Florida, Preceded by ...

Whelchel received a Bachelor of Science from Jacksonville University.[1] She was a former teacher.[2] Before becoming mayor, Whelchel served on the Boca Raton city council, a member of the Community Redevelopment Agency, and a member of the local school board.[2]

Whelchel was elected Mayor of Boca Raton in 2008 unopposed, succeeding outgoing Mayor Steven L. Abrams, who was term limited.[2][4] She took office in April 2008.[5] The 2008 mayoral election marked the first time that a candidate had run unopposed for mayor since 1978, when Boca Raton voters began electing their mayor directly.[4]

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.[2] Whelchel defeated Spurling Gruneisen by a nine to one margin in the mayoral election held on March 8, 2011, to win a second, three-year term.[2][3] Whelchel received 3,903 votes (85.37%), while Spurling Gruneisen garnered 669 votes (14.63%).[1]

Under Whelchel, Boca Raton installed red light cameras, as well as the city's first parking meters.[2] In addition, she advocated for the use of green technology in building construction,[2] opposed tax increases, and advocated for cuts to city spending.[2] During her second term, Whelchel promised to focus on job creation and the revitalization of downtown Boca Raton.[3]

Whelchel, who was term limited and ineligible to run for mayor again, left office in March 2014. She was succeeded by then-Deputy Mayor Susan Haynie.

Whelchel died from Alzheimer's disease on August 5, 2022, at the age of 77.[6]

References

  1. [1]
    Hartz-Seeley, Deborah (March 8, 2011). "Boca Raton Election: Mayor's race". The Coastal Star. Retrieved July 14, 2013.
  2. [2]
    King, Dale M. (March 19, 2011). "Susan Whelchel retains Boca mayoral seat in landslide city election victory". Boca Raton Tribune. Retrieved July 14, 2013.
  3. [3]
    Herrera, Maria (March 8, 2011). "Whelchel easily defeats political newcomer to retain Boca mayor's post". Sun Sentinel. Retrieved July 14, 2013.
  4. [4]
    Perez, Luis F. (February 12, 2008). "Boca may have next mayor by today". Sun Sentinel. Retrieved July 14, 2013.
  5. [5]
    "Mayors of Boca Raton". Boca Raton Historical Society. Archived from the original on April 27, 2012. Retrieved July 14, 2013.
  6. [6]
    "Obituary: Former Mayor Susan Whelchel". Boca. August 9, 2022. Retrieved August 12, 2022.
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