By Mary Thurwachter
In Lantana, former police commander Robert Hagerty ousted incumbent Mayor David Stewart, who has held the office for 21 years.
Voter turnout was low. Only 1,372 of Lantana’s 7,362 registered voters cast ballots in the March 9 election. Hagerty brought in 59% (815) of the total votes compared to Stewart’s 41% (557).
Awaiting the final results with supporters on election night, Hagerty said he didn’t want to comment until the votes were certified. However, he did say he was “very, very, very excited to work in Lantana and for Lantana.”
A resident of the town for 24 years, Hagerty, 56, has said it was time for a change in the mayor’s office. He vowed to bring “more effective and compassionate leadership, a stronger focus on public safety, realistic visioning and appropriate beautification efforts.”
Stewart, 67, an air conditioning consultant, campaigned on his record of fiscal responsibility, building up the town’s reserves, his institutional knowledge, relationship-building skills and having served as president and an active member of the Palm Beach County League of Cities for two decades. He said he kept taxes low and services high. Stewart has lived in Lantana for 43 years.
Comments