Florida League of Cities Installs Mayor Susan Haynie as New President
Boca Raton Mayor Susan Haynie, who began her career as a municipal employee and has risen to her city’s top office, was installed today as the new President of the Florida League of Cities. During her installation, Haynie unveiled a new initiative, called “Safe Cities, Safe Florida,” that will be the cornerstone of her tenure as the League’s highest-ranking elected officer.
Haynie’s elevation to the top position took place during the League’s annual conference, being held this week at the Diplomat Resort in Hollywood. The Florida League of Cities is the united voice for Florida’s 412 municipal governments, and since 1922 has promoted self-government at the local level.
Haynie is a Florida native and 44-year resident of Boca Raton. She is a graduate of Lynn University and holds a certification in Traffic Engineering Studies from Georgia Institute of Technology and Northwestern University. She began her career as an engineering analyst for the City of Boca Raton. The mother of five adult children, she is the 43rd Mayor of Boca Raton and is in her fifth term on the City Council.
Noting that more Floridians live in incorporated cities than outside of them, Haynie said her “Safe Cities, Safe Florida” initiative will focus on providing city governments training and educational resources to better service their residents.
“We all recognize that the best government is the one closest to the people. Working together through the Florida League of Cities, we can enhance the single most important function of government: protecting our citizens,” Haynie said.
The initiative will have three main components: Enhanced training through partnering organizations that will provide expert insights to help teach city officials more about important public safety topics; enhanced online resources and educational materials to support efforts toward safer cities; and partnerships with agencies and organizations that represent a natural fit for the initiative, creating a network of experts for city officials to turn to when needed.
Mayor Haynie also was a recipient of the Home Rule Hero Award, which recognizes city officials who went above and beyond to advocate the League’s legislative agenda during the past legislative session.
Haynie will join an impressive list of Florida leaders serving as officers with the Florida League of Cities for the 2016-17 term, including:
• Florida League of Cities 1st Vice President: Gil Ziffer, commissioner, City of Tallahassee; and
• Florida League of Cities 2nd Vice President: Leo Longworth, commissioner, City of Bartow.
