By Donovan Ortega
Mayor Susan Whelchel held a fundraiser at Uncle Julio’s in Mizner park on Monday evening to raise money for her re-election campaign. Welchel was running unopposed until a surprise candidate, Linda Spurling Gruneisen, filed papers on February 10th, six hours before the deadline for potential candidates.
Susan Whelchel speaking to the large audience at Uncle Julio's.
The patio of Uncle Julio’s was tightly packed as members of the community showed their support for Whelchel’s campaign.
Michael Ging, a Boca Raton business owner, was especially pleased with the mayor’s actions in office during her previous terms.
“She’s been great,” he said. “It’s been a difficult time these last couple of years with the recession, but she understands business people and has worked well with the community as a result.”
Steve Laine, Boca Raton resident and member of Rotary International, also had positive things to say of the mayor.
“She has a passion, energy, and desire to be a public servant, a good public servant,” said Laine.
Also on hand was former mayor of Boca Raton, Steve Abrams. He introduced Mayor Whelchel humorously, noting that she was the best “female” mayor Boca has ever had. The joke got a few laughs, but not as many as Whelchel did when she remarked that every time Abrams introduced her, it was obvious he was “jealous.”
All jokes aside, Whelchel got down to business in a speech that focused briefly on the successes of her past term: cutting the budget while not raising taxes and creating strong business partnerships. But what got the biggest buzz from the crowd was when Welchel addressed her opponent without even mentioning her name.
“I can’t tell you anything about my opponent,” said Whelchel, with her slight southern accent. “She does not know me. I do not know her. I don’t think you know her. She doesn’t know you. And she darn sure doesn’t know anything about Boca.”
As a result of Gruneisen’s running for mayor, it has been estimated that the city will have to spend up to 100,000 dollars for ballots, voting equipment, and poll workers.