Incumbent commissioner Dennis Sheridan faces newcomer Rhoda Zelniker for a three-year term; incumbent Bernard Featherman (who serves as mayor) is unopposed.
Also on the ballot is a charter amendment proposal to change the makeup of the canvassing board for future elections.
Dennis Sheridan (incumbent)
Personal: 76; two-year degree in mortuary science; married, four children and 12 grandchildren.
Professional: Licensed funeral director for 42 years.
Political experience: Served on Highland Beach Town Commission for the past three years. Previously served on the town’s Planning Board and Census Board.
Position on issues: Supports either the purchase or lease of a new ladder truck to replace the Fire Department’s existing ladder truck, which is 18 years old and functionally obsolete. Favors spending a half-million dollars to replace 50-year-old leaking water pipes in the Bel Lido community. Supports the sale of surplus town property (former water plant facilities located in Boca Raton) to a developer for the negotiated price of $3.5 million and using the proceeds to buy a new fire truck and/or address other critical town needs.
Quote: “I try to be as fair and open-minded as possible to represent all of the people of the town on all subjects. I thank the people of Highland Beach for the opportunity to serve them, and look forward to continuing my service in an effort to improve our town.”
Rhoda Zelniker
Personal: 67; attended Hofstra University in New York; married, two children and five grandchildren.
Professional: More that 25 years in the corporate furniture industry.
Political experience: No elective office. Serving her ninth year on homeowners association board. Appointed in 2013 to the town’s Beaches and Shores Advisory Board.
Position on issues: Favors giving residents a vote on any commission expenditures over $500,000. Promises to work toward changing the commission’s spending limit accordingly. Supports putting the $3.5 million in proceeds from the sale of the town’s former water plant properties in Boca Raton toward paying down the debt on the new water tower.
Quote: “As a people person who enjoys communication with others, I value the intelligence and wisdom of our residents. I also believe we should have a voice in major financial decisions that affect us all.”
Polls are open 7 a.m.-7 p.m. March 11. For information, visit www.pbcelections.org.
Compiled by Paula Detwiller/The Coastal Star
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