News

By Mary Thurwachter
    
A week before Lake Worth commissioners unanimously chose Lantana Town Manager Mike Bornstein as the new city manager, colleagues in Lantana braced themselves for his probable departure.   
    Mayor Dave Stewart said he knew the day would come when Bornstein, town manager for 12 years, would move on.
    “Don’t get a big head over this, Mike, but over the past four or five years, our town was not of the size to have the tax base to pay him (Bornstein) what he’s worth,” Stewart said during the March 12 council meeting.
    Bornstein, who will begin his Lake Worth job on April 16, received a $97,000 salary in Lantana, on the low end of what town managers are paid in the county. He’ll earn $135,000 in Lake Worth. Bornstein, 48, will also receive a $500-a-month car allowance, a cell phone, and the city will cover his professional association dues and travel expenses for travel to conferences.
    At the council’s meeting on March 26, Stewart said the town would accept applications for town manager through April 6. A short list of applicants would be ready by the April 9 council meeting and the council, which voted itself to serve as the selection committee, will interview top candidates during a special session starting at 9 a.m. on April 13.
    Stewart anticipates a decision will be made on April 13, however, if more time is needed, another meeting will be held on April 16.
    The town hopes to introduce the new manager at the April 23 meeting.
    For the short time between Bornstein’s departure and the new manager’s arrival, former Lantana Police Chief Rick Lincoln will serve as temporary manager, Stewart said.
    Bornstein began working for Lantana 12 years ago as director of development services. He became town manager two years later.  
    Council members praised him as a consensus builder and innovative thinker.
    “I think Mike Bornstein is the best thing that happened to this town,” council member Lynn Moorhouse said at the March 12 meeting. “Who would have thought to send coconuts to Washington, D.C., to save the post office?” He also praised Bornstein for his efforts in recreating the Barefoot Mailman’s trek and coming up with Lantana Lou Day (Lantana’s answer to Groundhog Day) to promote the town.
    “We’ll miss him and his inventiveness,” Moorhouse said.