Rene Varela Resigns as Mayor of Lake Worth

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May 3, 2011

Open Letter to the Residents of Lake Worth

Dear Friends, Family, Neighbors

I have just submitted my official letter of resignation to the City Commission for their immediate acceptance. It is with a heavy heart, but without regret, that I have done this. The resignation is to be effective today, May 3rd.

My decision to leave the office that I freely sought and have loved to serve from every day is one solely based on my obligations to (and aspirations for) my family. It has become clearer to me daily that my strongest desire is to be a supportive and present partner to my wife and hopefully growing family. To that end, I simply could not turn away a recent offer for fulfilling employment in Maryland, which will begin in the immediate future. The most undeniable benefit of this opportunity is that I can begin charting a new future with my family, without delay or further painful separation from them. However, it does come at the cost of no longer being able to serve the public that I have grown to love and respect.

While I likely could have delayed beginning my future job until the middle of the summer, and thus delay this announcement, I chose this early decision so that the public will have the opportunity to vote on who will replace me for my remaining term. To deny the public this basic right would be in contradiction to everything that I, and all of you, hold dear. It is my hope that the required election to fill my position will spark earnest debate over the future of our city and the values that we must preserve within our community, if this City is truly to rise again.

There is no doubt in my mind that many great things have been accomplished in the last 18 months, not the least of which are: the significant progress on beach redevelopment and Casino projects; the reverse osmosis water treatment plant construction; many miles of streets and sidewalk improvements, an enforceable noise ordinance, revamped certificate of use program, an aggressive 10 year utility improvement program; development of a future power purchase RFP; development of a comprehensive sustainability program; decrease in overall City property taxes; decrease in electric utility rates this year; the opening of the new downtown Publix; continued decrease in crime in the City; an expansion of City wide volunteerism and neighborhood associations; and development of the first public standardized evaluation of the City Manager. While so much has been accomplished, there is yet so much that must be tackled. It is my sincerest hope that a future Mayor and Commission seize the opportunity to expand honesty, sincerity and integrity in service to the public, remembering also that challenging the appointed officials to be better is an essential portion of their job. I would like to believe that this was something that I did in my time as Mayor and would encourage others to serve in this same rewarding fashion.

Serving you, the residents of Lake Worth, has been one of the greatest joys of my life to date. While my departure brings me great sorrow, I can reflect on my time as your Mayor and be proud of what we have accomplished together. I also urge each of you to remain faithful to this community, push your government to become better, and take a stand to improve this City one neighborhood at a time. It is my adamant belief that no government should ever depend upon the presence of any one individual, and so I am certain that this City will continue on long after I am gone. Please also be aware that there are many young, independent, thoughtful future leaders within our community that will emerge to guide Lake Worth into the next generation. Because I know this, it is clear to me that Lake Worth has a very bright future ahead.

I thank you all once again for giving me the opportunity to serve you as your Mayor.

Most Sincerely,

René A. Varela