2 top Surfside administrators and police chief suddenly resign
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Surfside Town Hall. Photo: Martin Vassolo/Axios
Surfside is in political turmoil after two high-ranking administrators and the small town's police chief resigned one after the other.
Why it matters: In the span of 24 hours, Surfside, a town of 5,600 people that gained worldwide attention after the deadly Champlain Towers South collapse last year, is suddenly left dealing with the departure of the officials in charge of day-to-day operations.
- The town has given no explanation about the timing of the resignations or whether they are related, leading one Surfside commissioner to question whether the officials were forced out of their jobs.
Driving the news: Town manager Andy Hyatt, who has been Surfside's top administrator since November 2020, resigned late Tuesday, effective immediately.
- Hyatt's No. 2 — assistant town manager and chief financial officer Jason Greene — resigned Wednesday, along with police chief Rogelio Torres. Greene and Torres' last day is Friday.
Catch up fast: Hyatt's resignation, which Mayor Shlomo Danzinger announced during Tuesday's commission meeting, shocked residents and former elected officials.
- "Essentially I had a meeting with the town manager this afternoon; he had some family issues he cited and has submitted his resignation effective today," Danzinger told the commission.
- Hyatt's two-sentence resignation letter does not mention a reason for his departure.
- The city's Public Works director, Hector Gomez, was appointed by commissioners as acting town manager that night.
The latest: On Wednesday afternoon, the town released a statement saying both Greene and Torres had resigned as well.
- Torres wrote in his resignation letter that he plans to spend more time with his family. Greene's letter did not give a reason for his exit.
- Surfside Police Capt. John Healy has been named the town's interim police chief.
The intrigue: All three letters mention negotiated severance, which is typically reserved for employees who are laid off or whose jobs are eliminated, according to the Wall Street Journal.
- Commissioner Nelly Velasquez told Axios she has yet to get a "straight answer" from the administration about why respected public officials would all leave their roles in such a hurry and with no explanation.
- "I don't think three people just resign out of nowhere, especially three people making over $100,000," Velasquez said.
- She said residents have contacted her, shocked at the shakeup in town. "I'm just as shocked as everybody else is," she said.
What they're saying: A spokesperson for the town administration declined Axios' request for comment, citing the ongoing personnel matters.
- In a statement Wednesday, the town thanked Hyatt, Torres and Greene for their service, and said that "all departments continue town business as usual."
The three officials have not responded to Axios' requests for comment.
What's ahead: The Town Commission — which reconvenes in January — will be searching for a permanent replacement for Hyatt.
- The town manager is responsible for appointing a police chief and assistant town manager, per town code.