News

By Angie Francalancia

    Ninety days after the Ocean Ridge Town Commission warned its manager he’d have to improve his job performance, most of the commissioners said they were satisfied with Schenck’s improvement.
    But Commissioner Zoanne Hennigan said she thought it was time for a change.
    “Since the performance review I still see grave issues and a lack of leadership,” she said. “It took 90 days just to complete this action plan, and most of these items haven’t been done in the 90 days.” Hennigan cited the street repair evaluation, job descriptions for police, and Schenk’s inability to effectively represent the commission’s position during the recent collective bargaining with the police.
    The commission in October gave Schenck 90 days to improve his job performance, charging him to become more proactive, communicate better with the commissioners and stay ahead of issues affecting both Ocean Ridge and the surrounding coastal communities.
    They told Schenck he should have been more proactive in learning about Boynton Beach’s plans to close its fire station No. 1. Boynton provides fire and emergency service to Ocean Ridge, and the downtown Boynton Beach station is the closest to Ocean Ridge.
    “I appreciate all you do, but I think this town needs a lot stronger leadership,” Hennigan told Schenck at the Feb. 6 Town Commission meeting.  
    The rest of the commission didn’t share Hennigan’s position, saying they had seen improvement from Schenck, who has held the position for nearly six years.
    But Mayor Ken Kaleel told Schenck that evaluations would be annual going forward, and “come budget time … it’s an issue that needs to be reviewed.
    “Keep on improving and keep on helping us improve,” he said.
    Commissioners said Schenck has become better at communicating with them and staying on top of coastal issues.
    “You’ve become quite the caller,” Commissioner Geoffrey Pugh said.